Hot Rods The time has come... 327 in a '40 Ford

Damn, I love those nailheads. But I totally get where you’re coming from. You ever have a problem any parts store will have whatever you need for that motor. No matter how much of an dope the clerk is.


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I think once an engine is 65 years old, and the car is 80 years old, it kinda puts things into perspective! I might put a flathead or a nailhead in my 49 Merc... I've got both available!

 

I like the 327's with a carb,etc. If I have a problem in BFE I can get pts to get on down the road. Had to do a few repairs on wife's 55 with 327 over the years while on the road far from home- no problem-Pep Boys, Napa,etc. Try that with some rarer engines and you might be stranded for a while. For me same goes with those new EFI looking carbs etc.-No thanks Had a friend at a car show far away and his fancy electronic dist quit-- rollback time-sent him a stock type pts dist and firewall resistor--all good-no more issues. He left it that way too.

 

Wait for it...............aren't they all!

 

327/375 (with early Rochester FI) in my '40 coupe.......built it in 1980.......40+K very reliable miles......painted the motor Olds red. Also have a Nailhead/TH400 in a '35 pick-up.......the SBC was a piece of cake to install compared to the Nailhead. And a 286 flathead in my '32 roadster. The Nailhead is bullet proof. The SBC sounds more like a hot rod. The flathead is nice nostalgia, but......

 

^^^ Like this! Built a 40 with a 327 with 65 Rochester FI unit a few years back--it's in LA now--runs great-no issues.

 

@Pinstriper40 QUITTER!

 

Its not a '40 but....327 in my '31 A Roadster...it has a hood because I don't have pinstripes on my firewall. It's a love hate thing though...I love the way the car sets off my Ford buddies, I hate I didn't do this a long time ago.....go for it and show us how it turns out.

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Great choice, a classic 60s engine with lots of cool 60s stuff available. C3BX, WCVSQ etc inlet manifolds, Mallory voltmaster s, flat top distributors, classic tachos to suit and a great choice of early 60s air cleaners and valve covers to dress it up. Super traditional build, easier on the wallet and lots of fun. Looking forward to your progress on the 40.
Pic is a 327 in my 35

 

Looks like we lose another member of the "flatheads forever club" Sorry to see you go.

 

nice old SBC Mvee33

 

Having fun with my choice.

 

People who think a Ford should be in a Ford aren't hot rodders. There just Ford antique lovers deep inside.

 

They are restorers trying to look like HOT RODDERS.
I agree with olscrounger, keep it simple.

 

Hard To Argue With This...But Many Will..Do It Your Own Way ...

 

SBC or Flathead Ford in a Ford hot rod, same "DNA" for both applications. Both "Duntov approved", no?

 

Yes And Both Were Approved...

 

Got one 350 in my 39/40 Ford tub and am hiding it under a large Skillet Lid Air cleaner and finned valve covers little Cam and 12 inch glasspacks pipes all the way out the back, even sounds like a flathead, do it.

 

I have had my run with Flatheads, when choosing the engine for my 40 PU, I went with Chevy. Not sure if it will be a 283 or 327, I have both, ready to assemble. Even thought about using my "full dress" 55 Olds, but it should be in something that will be seen.

 

Those are nicely fitting headers. Are those fender well
from a specific model. Perhaps modified or custom
built? I am installing a small block Chevy in my 40 coupe and had something like those in mind.

 

Back in the 60's a buddy had a 39 Ford Coupe with a 49 Ford engine. It had Edmunds heads, a 3/4 cam and two chrome 97's. I thought it was really fast, but I was about 12. He sold the flathead and had enough money to buy a junkyard 322 Buick and Hurst adapter and motor mounts. We only thought the flathead was fast. Bottom line, the Buick made that little Ford a rocket ship.

 

My buddy went the other way with his 40 back in the late 60's. he had a 401 buick in it and found a Z-28
302 and 4 speed . swapped it out and it went quicker.
I put the nail head in a 37 dodge p.u. it was a tire melter for sure.

 

It always seems that there's quite a measurable following of the 'Ford in a Ford' thought. Like if it's not a flathead or Y-block or FE or even the ugly little Windsor motors instead of a SBC it's a mortal sin, or at the very least a misdemeanor. Yet choose a nailhead, hemi, Cadillac, Olds or Pontiac many of those same apostles of Fomoco will neary drop to their knees and offer tugging approval of the engine choice. Choose what's arguably the most famous and influential OHV V-8 in history and the haters start screaming as if you're spreading coronavirus. Now I'll concede it's not nearly as bad as it used to be and this thread proves that out for a change. Gives me hope that the "Gasser Madness" might mellow a bit too.

 

You wont be sorry!!! Having driven flathead cars as well, the 283 in my 39 sedan rocks, and walks circles around a flathead. Im running the stock 39 trans to a 3.78 banjo with a 7.0 16 rear tire and I can cruise down the freeway at 80 MPH at about 2300 RPM. And the gold will look killer. I may have had some inspiration from your ride spill over onto my 39.....

 

Well Bill some times they do.

 

I’m not a purist, but I do like a Ford in a Ford. Anybody can drop a Chevy in one, it takes thinking and work to make a later Ford work in an earlier car. And in a sea of sameness, being different is cool.

 

Glad to be different with a SBC in my 40.

 

Love the intake and scoops and valve covers. The gold is icing on the cake.

 

I stand down .some people are crazier than me ! and THAT is scary !!referring to the flathead in the camaro!!!

 

In this case, I want to avoid thinking and work and just get to driving! The 4 carbs will give me enough thinking to do!

Thank you!! I think it'll be a great choice.
Now to be patient and wait till late spring or summer to do it...

That car is a thing of beauty!! Nice work! Glad I could be of inspiration!