Leaderboard

The more I think about it, with the parts you have on hand I might: Use the block with the most wear/taper in the cylinders and punch it big. Egge has pistons and rings in .100 oversize, which would carry the engine up to about 245 CI and make it a tiny bit less undersquare. Based on a desktop dyno type program I have it theoretically would develop around 150 HP and 220 TQ with 8:1 compression and enough fuel/air. At .080 over you're still really close to that, at least in theory (148/215). Those numbers (if realistic) are markedly better than the factory ratings on a fresh 218 or 230. Since there's no additional cost over a stock rebuild and you still have a spare block, I don't see why it isn't worth exploring. As the old saying goes, "there is no replacement for displacement."

Hey ya'll. Thanks for adding me to the forum. Taking a bit of a leap of faith by bringing up the dreaded "kustom" word, but I'll give some back story. I grew up in Northern California going to shows with my pops and always liked the kustom crowd. I remember as a youngster seeing a '51 Merc with a DeSoto grill for the first time and telling my dad, "I want one of those". His response was something along the lines of "Sure kid, you've got champagne taste on a beer budget". Being that young I didn't know the grill wasn't original to the car. Fast forward many years and many cars later I came across a 1951 DeSoto Custom that needed a home. Guys usually rob the grills and bumpers and leave them to rot so I decided to give it the full custom treatment it deserved. Inspired by the Barris & Ayala's of Southern California I wanted to do something traditional that gave the '51 a facelift while still being true to its roots. Not slammed. No bags. No SBC. No tricks, just the good stuff. Here are some photos as it stands today and a list of the custom bits. Shaved and molded all around 4.5" chop Reshaped rear wheel openings Headlights extended 1" & frenched stock rings 1956 DeSoto 330 hemi w/ dual quds 1953 DeSoto Grill (STILL LOOKING FOR THE 2 OUTER MOST TEETH & WILLING TO BUY) 1956 DeSoto dash 1955 DeSoto wheel covers 1951 Packard spear trim 1956 Hudson tail lights Overrider using 1951 DeSoto bumper guards and 1951 Mercury center bar Ford shoebox rear window Will be painted 1951 factory solid midnight blue Will post more as things happen. I might be hounding ya'll for some parts!

Just use one off a 1946-52 Mopar outside door handle

Still working on this. I've been a bit of a nit picker over details, so I've restarted several times from bare metal. This last time around I'm fairly happy. When I sanded the black off the lettering, with 4 coats of clear over several coats of white, I did sand through a couple spots. That's due to the plate not being flat, although I could have been more careful. Today I sprayed some of the white into a small container, and used a very fine brush to touch up the few places I went through. There were a couple black spots that showed also, so I covered them also. It's been about 2-1/2 days since I sanded last, so I should have been good...but one small spot on one letter wrinkled a bit. I'm planning on another coat of paint brush white and a finger print sized sanding area to see how flat I can get that. I won't touch it again until the weekend though. I think I will be happy with the out come. Then I'm going to let it sit a full week. After that I'll clear coat the entire place back and front. Then I'm going to hit up the CA DMV to get the plate transferred to my truck. We'll see how that goes in the current climate.

I would put together the better of your two 23" blocks/heads with the 230 rotating assembly (assuming it's good.) You already have it so it's "free" horsepower so to speak. Small gains in HP/TQ are large by percentage in lower powered engines; you can usually tell the difference in performance.

I've heard others say that too but we're quite happy with both of our Kia's. I have my wife's old 07 and she has a 14.

You asked for opinions so here goes ; No , it is not worth it . I have gone that exact route and it was a waste of time and money . Yes you will see some improvement , but only a little .

You could try pulling 2 leafs out of the side that has ten and see how it sits....

sheep prefer it also.....

This made me smile and brought back some memories.

This one makes me think of simpler, times. Everyone looks like they are really enjoying a rare convertible 1938 Plymouth. According to a book I have, 1900 convertibles were made for the 1938 production year. Couple a young dudes with a pair of sweet ladies out for a cruise/date. Maybe a picnic. Maybe a few nips of a flask?