Help me decide.

[Dieselwrencher]

Hi everyone! I am having a real hard time trying to decide what the heck I want to do for a re power in my 40 Ford this winter. My wife is going to kill me, for real, if I put a diesel in it. Man, WTH? I really want to because I have nothing gas powered and have a lot of go fast diesel parts and I have an engine and tranny sitting here I could use.

So now I'm trying to decide what I want to do to this and make it enjoyable, and dependable, but still cool. I'm kind of stuck and have a lot of options. Let's see what you guys think too. Feel free to make any suggestions as well. I'm on a tight time frame and budget due to a new member of the family coming in February. Therefore, some of my options may not be able to happen real soon. The car will be being painted black with blue tri-color flames like are on it now because that is how my uncle had it for 30 years and that's how it should be to me.

I'm planning on some torque thrust wheels, more than likely chrome, and some air ride suspension at all 4 corners.

Here are a few options I have at my disposal right now.

Option 1: I could rebuild my 350 and TH400 that are in the car now and add a mild cam, a nice set of aluminum heads, a 6-71 supercharger, shift kit in the trans, and a stall. But the object here is to have a car we can take on Power Tour next year, and I'm sure the blown SBC won't be very nice on gas.

Option 2: My wife has a 95 firebird formula that she drove while it was over heating until it quit running. It still runs but the engine needs rebuilt and the heads are obviously questionable. She also backed into it and broke the LH door. It could use a paint job and has little things that need repaired before I could sell it. She likes the car, but would rather let me use the engine for the 40 and have me not spending a lot of money. My thoughts are mixed here. I know I will end up throwing at least $1500 at this car to rebuild an engine and maybe paint part of the car to sell it. The problem is, average trade in on this car is only $1800 and I see decent running and driving ones selling for $2500 all the time. So I'm thinking I could use the power train in my car and sell the car as a roller for around $1000 and break almost even. I have a spare cast headed LT1 I purchased for this car that needs head gaskets, but that still won't help the price I'd have to put in the firebird to sell it.

Option 3: I have a 351C with 4BL heads and a Torker 2 intake with an overdrive trans. I could rebuild these and try to attain 400hp, or put a 6-71 on it too. I've never really been a ford man, so IDK on this one.

Option 4: I know coming up with the money will be the hardest part for this one. I could purchase a LS whatever and put a turbo on it. There are a lot of factors here and IDK if the car would be done by spring, so this might not be an option for me, but may be in the future.

Any input or ideas are appreciated because I can't really decide. I always have ideas coming in and out of my head, and most of those don't involve spark plugs. I was really leaning hard on installing a 6.0 PSD in it, but I don't want to hack this car up. At most I might install a 2" recessed firewall to make it easier to work on. Here are some pics of the car.

[78bronzechariot]

I'm a GM guy to the bone, but at the same time, I get tired of seeing GM engines in everything at the car shows. My vote is to keep it a Ford.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 78bronzechariot

I'm a GM guy to the bone, but at the same time, I get tired of seeing GM engines in everything at the car shows. My vote is to keep it a Ford.

I get this a lot and that is why I thought about switching back to ford. I happen to have a AOD trans that will bolt behind the 351C, and I have 2 351c's that need rebuilt and machined. So this is a doable option. I just need to research more and see what it's going to take to get the oiling system done right, and what it's going to cost to get one up and going.

Keep the ideas and input coming guys, I appreciate it!

[red69ss]

I agree with 78 bronze I like to see a ford motor in a ford ,even though if it was mine I'd probaly fix the drivetrain thats in it (if it didn't really need a rebuild I'd just put a cam in it and new seals and clean it up), then again I'm cheap. tough decision good luck

[Bob 68327]

If you go blown you might want to set your goal a little lower to like a 144 supercharger . If you go 6-71 You will need deep pockets or underdrive it so much it's just for looks . I have 5 grand in one that's prepped for a 6-71 and can't afford the blower yet!! My 2 cents

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Bob 68327

If you go blown you might want to set your goal a little lower to like a 144 supercharger . If you go 6-71 You will need deep pockets or underdrive it so much it's just for looks . I have 5 grand in one that's prepped for a 6-71 and can't afford the blower yet!! My 2 cents

Thanks guys. Well, for a street rod, I know I can build one for under $5k. It won't be indestructable, but I've had 550HP 383's that were elcheap-o built and they were ok, just don't last as long. At this point, IDK what route I'm going.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Flathead....

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Flathead....

A Flathead would be cool, but building one of those is another story. You can sink $5k or more in one of those and not have much. I doubt I'll go that route.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Not many people know this, but my dream truck is a 40 Ford pick up.

I was kidding on the flathead. They're cool but they can get crazy expensive.

I'd go with a Ford motor with the AOD.

[Dieselwrencher]

Flatheads are cool and nostalgic, but most guys I know that have them are always working on them to keep them going.

[cdowns]

i like oldschool stuff// period stuff like a caddy,nailhead,rocket88 power are alot better than the cookiecutter SBC choice in my opinion


if you got real deep pockets for an ultimate flathead i know where there is one of these on a teststand ready to go

[Dieselwrencher]

Cdowns, I actually had big hopes of putting a 354 hemi in it. I found a complete 56 New Yorker and the guy originally wanted $1600 for the car. Well now he wants $2400 for it. He says it runs like a champ. But just to buy all the stuff to put it in my car it will cost me around $4000 just to put it in, and that doesn't include rebuilding it. I wouls love to put a hemi in it, but the cost is the main issue.

[cdowns]

that picture isnt a chrysler it's an ardun equipped flathead, the one i know of that's available down here is over 40K depdinging on intake system// it has a very interesting history too

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by cdowns

that picture isnt a chrysler it's an ardun equipped flathead, the one i know of that's available down here is over 40K depdinging on intake system// it has a very interesting history too

Whoops, my bad. It looks like one at first glance. That is pretty cool. Kind of like the old heads some company used to make to make a SBC look like a hemi.

[rambler]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

My wife is going to kill me, for real, if I put a diesel in it. Man, WTH? I really want to because I have nothing gas powered and have a lot of go fast diesel parts and I have an engine and tranny sitting here I could use.

My vote, ( which wasn't a option above ) would be go with the Diesel.. that would be different than the masses at the shows, and you said yourself you have a lot of go fast parts to put in it... and you may still get decent milage out of it as well...








and if she does kill you for doing it,, just make sure you include me in your will... I'll keep real good care of it....

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by rambler

My vote, ( which wasn't a option above ) would be go with the Diesel..

and if she does kill you for doing it,, just make sure you include me in your will... I'll keep real good care of it....

LMAO! You are thinking what I am. I'm still on that edge of doing it any way. She thinks it'll turn out like the corvette did and not be comfortable. There is a big difference in this 40 and the corvette as far as space goes. I'm sure I can get a cummins in there without big hacking but IDK for sure. It might still happen. I have almost all parts to do a P-pumped 24v and a 47rh trans. I was thinking a S300 and No2 for smoke clear up.

[Frizzle Fry]

I voted LT1 because of the budget/time factor and I agree you won't get much out of selling that car anyway. There are a lot of options that would be "cooler" but those can also come later when time/money allow. A blown LT1 will be plenty of fun for now and achieve your goal.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

I voted LT1 because of the budget/time factor and I agree you won't get much out of selling that car anyway. There are a lot of options that would be "cooler" but those can also come later when time/money allow. A blown LT1 will be plenty of fun for now and achieve your goal.

Thanks Frizzle Fry. It is a toss up now. Now my friend is trying to make me build a 393 stroker out of the cleveland. But that sounds like a lot of pecos to me.

Today I noticed Bob Drake is coming out with a 5 1/2" set back firewall for 38-40's. That might be just enough room to fit a long 6 cylinder in there. Divorce court here I come.

[1LoC10]

03/04 Mustang Cobra motor

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 1LoC10

03/04 Mustang Cobra motor

I'm going to have to pass on that deal. That doesn't sound like it'll fit my budget at all.

[Indian113]

Ryan,the only thing wrong with your 40 is it's parked in your garage and not mine. If I ever sell my model A I want a 40 sedan,I've always loved that body style. Rebuild it as inexpensive as you can and still make safe and fun to drive. That way you have more money for the Vette.

[Dieselwrencher]

Thanks Ray! By the way, I know where there is a 39 Standard for $3500 near Indianola if the guy still has it. I'm sure he does because he hardly sells anything and never advertises what he has. I also know where there is a 40 coupe with all sheet metal work done, chassis is done, but needs finished for $5000 in New Virginia.

[Indian113]

I have been forbidden to bring any more strays home untill I find good homes for the ones I already have. Thanks anyway,I'm not ready to live in the motorhome fulltime yet"LOL"

[Dieselwrencher]

I can understand that.

[Jonboy]

The LT1 would be a good choice, IMO. They are pretty cheap to rebuild, and you already have two. You could probably part out the rest of the car on CL and finish up your project.