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Technical Traditional Engines for Traditional Customs?

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Blues4U, Oct 23, 2016.

  1. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Custom = hood closed.
     
    chopper99 likes this.
  2. The Bob Hirohata 51 Mercury 3x2 331 Caddy

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  3. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,348

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    BobK has a straight 6 in his Chevy convertible that he drove 200,000 miles in 10 years. In the Rod and Custom feature, he said he almost put a Plymouth straight six in because they are the best sounding motor with split manifolds. That's what is going in my next build.
     
  4. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,244

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Custom, almost anything goes. Assuming a degree of tradition is a key component of your plan just dress whatever you use the right way. That's what you're seeing above. Cadillac transplants were popular, Olds, Chevy, and the occasional Nailhead and Hemi. All that gone n done I could see a custom done well with a tried and true, easy to service, dependable (you did say long trips) SBC dressed in period garb. Easy, fast enough, no 2nd mortgage required to address that part of the build, can be serviced from coast to coast. Traditional? I think we covered that enough over the years.
     
    cretin likes this.
  5. It's a custom, right? Spend your time/money on what shows with the hood down. Keep enough money to get what's under the hood as drive able as you'd like it. The answer may be in your budget.
     
    chopper99 likes this.
  6. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    Back in the day most customs started as new cars or late model used cars. The stock engine was fine for everyday driving. Some guys who were into customs, hopped up the engine and dressed it up with paint and chrome and finned aluminum once the outside of the car was done.

    In other cases, if the original engine got worn or broke down, they would do an engine swap.

    So there is no problem in doing what you are talking about, it is pretty common.

    BUT if you plan to modernize an older car do yourself a BIG favor and pick one that is easy to modernize. Get a car that came with a V8 or at least had one available as an option. This can make a big difference in fitting another engine. In fact it would be best to ask, before you buy a car, about how hard it is to make changes. In some cases one year can make a big difference in seemingly interchangeable cars.
     
  7. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    If you want to do yourself a favor and avoid a million problems start with a car 1965 or newer. If that is too new try for 1955 or newer (with 12 volt electrics).
     

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