Decision time

[Sniper]

As some might remember, I think the flatty in my 51 spun a rod bearing.

 

So I have a couple of options.

 

Rebuild the original engine.  No idea how much work has been done in the past, it might already be bored out as much as it can be.

 

Rebuild the 230 I bought awhile back.  In both of the above cases I can use all the flatty hot rod parts I bought. 

 

Or, I found a running donor for a V8 swap.  400 B motor, 727 trans.  AC, Cruise, PB etc.  Of course that opens a can of whoop ---, well you get it.  Probably shred the stock axle so a swap is needed there.  Probably gonna need power steering (rack and pinion swap time), etc. 

 

I can most likely sell the flatty hot rod parts for more than the donor would cost me.  Part out the donor for what I can get.

 

Going the flatty route would be quicker, but less "exciting" behind the wheel.  However, a hopped up fuel injected flatty is definitely more unique than a V8 swap. 

 

Hmm, why does One Cab's Family come to mind, lol.

 

 

 

 

 

[LazyK]

Ultimately your choice. My logic in my restoration. I already have a muscle car, so I restored as close to original as I could afford. I will tell you the '51 garners more looks than the muscle car at cruise nights. I think a fuel injected hot rod flat head would be more unique than a V8 retrofit. And as you stated sooner back on the road.

Edited July 29 by LazyK

[Los_Control]

47 minutes ago, Sniper said:

a hopped up fuel injected flatty is definitely more unique than a V8 swap.

Just my opinion, A good running flatty is cool ..... A hopped up flatty is someone with too much time on their hands.

 

I'm sad your flathead is dying, seems 2 years ago I thought it was coming with your compression test results.

 

While I hope to run the flathead motor just to say I did .... I do have a 318 on the side and expect to install it when it is time.

 

@Sniper your car is no where near stock with all the mods you have done ..... nobody here will look down on you for installing a newer motor .... I expect to do the same some day.

 

 

[Dan Hiebert]

Since you've already got the stuff, I would go with the "quicker" option with the hot rod parts.  While I'm certainly not opposed to a V8 swap, I find them kind of ho-hum.  A good running flathead with all the bells-and-whistles on the other hand, will get my attention every time.  I like the flat sixes in our D24 and Terraplane, and I'll do whatever I can to keep them going, but if I grenade either engine beyond repair, my first thought will be something else to swap in.   

[Plymouthy Adams]

I also have no problem with the update of a newer V6/8 as long as the engine is yet a mopar.....put in a brand x and I will not even slow down and likely just yawn as I walk by.  Go full blown electronics and better yet.  Either way you go, just take the time to do it right and you will like it, the car will display well also.  Good luck with the task.  

[LazyK]

Now a new Mopar 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo 510 generates 510 hp and 500 lb. -ft. of torque

would get my attention real fast and if one is crazy how about 1000hp

https://www.motortrend.com/events/direct-connection-hurricane-i6-twin-turbo-crate-engines/

Edited July 30 by LazyK

[Sniper]

I don't know about that hurricane six. I've seen a picture of it it looks large by huge. Not to mention the fact that the price tag is probably even bigger.

 

Ok, I went a hunting for the Hurricane crate motor costs.

 

Appears it's vaporware.  It was announced the end of 2022, but nothing now.  I even went to Direct Connection's website and looked at the crate motor offerings.  It is not there.

Edited July 30 by Sniper

[Plymouthy Adams]

I fear as with most of the Mopar later market stuff....it will not be readily available for a number of reasons.  Ma Mopar throws roadblocks at their loyal customer at every turn with off the wall cost and suing aftermarket offerings without paying a premium back to them for licensing.  This cost has been reported as very costly for what may well be a low return to the supplier.   This has always been the case with Mopar.   The enthusiast in the meantime gets caught in this cross fire.  The average cost of a stand alone Mopar loom compared to other makers is way off the wall and even when found is limited to just a short window.  Some of the later hemi crate and stand alone easier to obtain if you got deep pockets.  If you are not a total DIYer, support in the aftermarket is expensive if available at all.   Even before Damiler days it was bad  and has not improved whatsoever.  Ever look at a Damiler era manual...not even worth it as toilet paper.   I have not investigated any Stellantis era stuff....just have a super bad taste in my mouth with majority of it.   

[Sniper]

Way back when it was Direct Connection it was a reasonable cost source for racers to get most factory based parts.  Then the renamed it to Mopar Performance and prices started rising and availability issues came about.  Now it is what you say it is, too bad.

 

They should take a look at how GM treats it's performance division.  That's just one reason the SBC was so popular.

[Ulu]

Years ago I gave up on the idea of a modern V-8 in the ‘47 because of the mopar parts situation.

 

Someday I will put the Dodge 230 in it with the OD 3-speed. I let 3 V-8 donor cars** go back in the 00’s, because of social problems.

 

Sic transit gloria.

 

** A Lincoln, a Plymouth, and a Cadillac.

Edited August 3 by Ulu

[Sniper]

Not sure what you mean by Mopar Parts situation? If you mean no pre-made kit to slap it in well they're never really was one.

[Los_Control]

I'm a serious fan of the SBC .... I drive one daily and love it.

There is always haters out there that will laugh at it in a mopar ..... they are just fools and not to be considered intelligent.

 

My neighbor has a 1954 Ford shoe box with a 1990's Ford engine installed .... yeah it is cool but it just sucks.

The engine fits so poorly ..... mainly the transmission .... you literally need to cut the tunnel out of the floor to raise the transmission .... then build a new tunnel.

 

Many have installed a sbc 350/350 just because it fits and works well. .... No major mods to the car to make it work.

 

Just saying buddy, I do not care what you decide on .... I have a 318 because the price was right and they fit well in a truck.

 

You do you.

 

[Sniper]

I'm kind of like Plymouthy here, I prefer to keep my Mopar all Mopar. I actually have a 318 on the engine stand and a couple of automatics and a couple of four speeds. So I wouldn't really have to pay for that part of the swap if I wanted to put a small block in. But I found a big block truck I could use a lot of parts off of that donor aside from the drivetrain. AC comes to mind.

[Los_Control]

23 minutes ago, Sniper said:

AC comes to mind.

Love it or hate it .... a factory 95 HP engine trying to push a AC pump .... Job will get done but nothing to write home about.

[Sniper]

Modern compressors aren't that power hungry. My neon had ac and I doubt it had much more horsepower. And a heck of a lot less torque.

[Los_Control]

I love the Mopar flathead 6 .... reminds me of a Briggs & stratton  lawn mower engine that was built for decades with no changes.

They are cool and something you do not see every day. And they just worked.

 

They have the worse possible design for a air pump and have the valves in the block so the air has to flow sideways .....

 

In it's day the Hudson Hornet broke records ..... pretty cool for a old flathead.

Then the overhead valve  engines came out and flatheads were dropped like a hot potato  

 

Just saying I love the old flatheads and have one myself ..... When I see them with dual carbs and split headers, I think thats pretty cool for a lawn mower engine.

Nice to keep old cars alive .... just depends what you want.

[Sniper]

I'm not too worried about being able to go stupid fast in the 51. If I did that I'd probably kill myself LOL. This suspension isn't up to it the brakes are halfway there. And handling I don't think that word was in the dictionary when the 51 was built LOL. I like it for what it is and I'm not going to try to make it something it isn't now if I happen to find a Hellcat charger for dirt cheap I might do a body Swap and fix all of those problems at once

[Ulu]

On 8/3/2024 at 4:54 PM, Sniper said:

Not sure what you mean by Mopar Parts situation? If you mean no pre-made kit to slap it in well they're never really was one.

I wanted a Hemi and all the parts are too expensive.

[Sniper]

Oh, that's true regardless of which Hemi you are talking about.

 

 

[Rodney_Hamon]

I had to chime in as I own a ‘51 Cambridge.  When started it runs like a sewing machine.  At present it is haunted by snakes and mice.  Bad luck on my part.  However, when I go out there it fires up every time.  I think about when I get it fixed up and registered and how fun it will be to poke along and sort of lumber around the curves.  Not a fast driver.  I’ve had my fun with fast cars and that’s done. I like all cars.  I like GM. I have an ‘18 GMC 1/2 ton that’s a great driver.  I had a ‘64 vette, a ‘72 el Camino, 914 Porsche, Datsun 510etc etc.  I have kinda wanted a ‘67 charger or coronet but that’s ok. Your engine would be great in one of those.   I still have my 64 1/2 mustang that’s pretty original.  My wife has an old ‘89 bmw ix. Now that car is a slow poke.  My 2 cents is to keep the sewing machine engine as it’s cool.  But I swear... I have thought it would be cool to put an E 30 drive train into the Plymouth.  That’s SICK.  But it would be fun to try.  Never mind. I didn’t say that. Lol