Early Cad engine in 40 Ford

The one who carries a grudge carries the whole load! I would never install another manufacturers V8 in my old pickup but I sure don't care what someone else does with THEIR vehicle. Nor would it keep me from buying my dream 33/34 coupe, (as long as it wasn't too shiny.) LOL

Well it always stops at that answer. It’s “their” vehicle at the end of the day to destroy in any manner they so choose


I tell you this phenomenon is unique in the world of automobiles. You don’t see enthusiasts from many other brands crossbreeding their cars with engines from the rival companies. Maybe the occasional race car to fit a particular set of rules but I’ve been trying my whole life to understand why Ford engines aren’t the first choice for Ford cars, especially ones from the golden “V8” era.
 
It’s funny but Doane Spencer, builder extraordinaire who built one of the most iconic Deuce Hiboy roadsters of all time refused to use a brand X engine in any of the Fords he built not the least of which was that ‘32 Highboy.


It was almost like an act of rebellion NOT to use a GM or Mopar refrigerator motor in the car. That’s the way the hot rod ragazines portrayed it at least.
 
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/vin...rd-flathead-v8-in-this-new-1967-chevy-camaro/

Who'd a thunk!
1967-Camaro-Flathead-V8-BW-600.jpg
 
Last edited:
I wonder???
Back in the very early days, did folks swap different BRAND engines into their Models As?
 
Last edited:
Again, I spoke without thinking. I wonder why I let myself get sucked into these ridiculous discussions. Nothing is accomplished and no one is about to change their mind. We all have a right to our own stupid opinions! In the end it is all horse manure, just like trying to defend politics or religion. From now on it's the "New Me" LOL
 
Again, I spoke without thinking. I wonder why I let myself get sucked into these ridiculous discussions. Nothing is accomplished and no one is about to change their mind. We all have a right to our own stupid opinions! In the end it is all horse manure, just like trying to defend politics or religion. From now on it's the "New Me" LOL

Well now wait a minute, if we don’t discuss this “stupidity” here then where? Not at the dinner table or the bowling alley or on the golf course. It’s meant to go right here on an enthusiast’s forum.

I’m not good at explaining why I hate to see vintage Fords from the golden era gutted and filled with engineering from other manufacturers but it just does bring up the aw’ ****! feelings every time. Like there’s another one gone. They don’t make them anymore you know?

Updating a Flathead era Ford or a Model A or T with another more modern Ford driveline doesn’t seem like it goes against nature so much. It seems kind of a natural progression. Stuffing a Chevy or caddy or any other ******* motor brings forth Frankenstein images.

You all may not feel the same I’m just telling you there’s a few and maybe quite a few people who agree with me but are either afraid to say it or smarter than me and just ignore the butchers that destroy the Ford outta their Ford till they end up with a silhouette car eventually.
 
Nothing is etched in stone here. I have acquired a early Cadillac standard flywheel and adaptor. My 59 AB is running very well but the rear main is leaking ever since it was rebuilt. I'm just thinking down the line if I need to I may possibly put a Caddy in there.. At least it keeps it period correct.
 
Nothing is etched in stone here. I have acquired a early Cadillac standard flywheel and adaptor. My 59 AB is running very well but the rear main is leaking ever since it was rebuilt. I'm just thinking down the line if I need to I may possibly put a Caddy in there.. At least it keeps it period correct.

Believe it or not I actually got a rope rear main seal to stop leaking by using Blue Devil seal restorer. I think it cost me $15.
 
Believe it or not I actually got a rope rear main seal to stop leaking by using Blue Devil seal restorer. I think it cost me $15.

I may try that. I have a freshly rebuilt 8BA that was perfect except for low oil pressure. I tracked that down to an inferior Speedway oil pump. I pulled the pan to replace the pump with a stock Ford pump which solved the problem. I thought I was really careful doing it, but it still developed a slight leak. Since the seal is almost new, maybe this will work.
 
You know the whole Ford in a Ford thing was born in the muscle car era. Not period correct for Fordbarn.

Allow me please to comment on that. While the Olds and Caddy were the “go to” engines on the street they didn’t come with the transmission most often. Those guys usually adapted the GM engines to Ford gearboxes because Olds and Caddy’s were most often backed up by an automatic in the 50’s.

A “Ford swap” is not a muscle car era swap in my opinion because if you research typical modified sportsman races held in the 50’s and 60’s you most often found the early Ford cars either with Flatheads or “T-bird power” aka 292/312.

For some reason the Olds,Chrysler, Caddy or Buick V8’s were never that popular in short track racing. They were most suited to mall crawling and boulevard posturing.

So in my humble opinion an OHV Ford engine fits right in when speaking in terms of period correct. But I realize this puts me in the minority here on the “Ford” barn.
 
Last edited:
I have a stock 255, with the exception of a Charlie NY distributor and a 2GC Rochester carb, in my stock 1950 Merc Monterey, one of approximately 2000 made in 1950.
I have given a lot of thought to what I would do if I had to replace my flathead and could not find another flathead?
I think the only non Mercury engine I would use would be a Buick Nailhead!
 
I have a stock 255, with the exception of a Charlie NY distributor and a 2GC Rochester carb, in my stock 1950 Merc Monterey, one of approximately 2000 made in 1950.
I have given a lot of thought to what I would do if I had to replace my flathead and could not find another flathead?
I think the only non Mercury engine I would use would be a Buick Nailhead!

My first v8 was a 46 coupe that was stock. That was back in the late 70's. Later on I found out it was an old coupe that another student used to bring to school a few years before. I used to ogle that thing and it had a 401 Nailhead in it. It was returned to stock between that bloke selling it and me buying it. I didn't know it was the same car. Nailheads look cool in the way they are configured.
 
Back
Top