The perfect "street engine"

Ol' Ron

Ol' Ron

Well-known member
I think it's time to build the perfect street engine! Good usable power and economy at a minimum of cost. There are enough guys here that build engines and have plenty of experience. I'm working on one now.
Gramps
 
That's great news Ron. Take plenty of photos and let us follow along on your build. Your knowledge is gold.
 
So true, but as Ford ceased making them, it would be neat to see how Ron applies his years of skill and knowledge to build an affordable and reliable flathead in 2022. Hopefully, an 8BA.
 
This will be interesting. A perfect engine will be different from person to person and depends on vehicle intended for. As a youth, perfect would have been wild cam tire burning coupe, as older now a high torque cross country 50's Mercury trips my trigger.
 
First, you must define perfect and only one thing is perfect, so the term for this engine under discussion will be "near perfect".

It should be free.
It should have a flattop power curve.
It should make 300 hp on cheap gas.
It should have an adjustable idle. Smooth for commuting and lopey for cruise nights.
It should have exhaust cutouts. Noisy for cruising. Quiet for commuting.
It should have lots of chrome.
It should last 100K miles.
 
Be Nice if I could have some help here Pete, gota keep these old engines runnin. I'm not capable to build an engine and post pics and videos. All My grandchildren have moved on.Jere's my suggestions. In JWLs book he has the output of the stock 239ci engine at 150 lbs of torque @ 2,000, and 80 hP @ 3000.
Boring the block to 3 5/16 will add 19ci and aprox 10ft lbs of torque Plus one point in cR angle milling the head .07- will also increase Cr by one point. The EAB cylinder head has 74cc chamber volumn wnd will give the 258CI engine aprox 7.7 CR all this will work verywell with the stock Load a matic ignition. And the engine will look as stock as the day it came from the factory.
Gramps
 
Pete said:
First, you must define perfect and only one thing is perfect, so the term for this engine under discussion will be "near perfect".

It should be free.
It should have a flattop power curve.
It should make 300 hp on cheap gas.
It should have an adjustable idle. Smooth for commuting and lopey for cruise nights.
It should have exhaust cutouts. Noisy for cruising. Quiet for commuting.
It should have lots of chrome.
It should last 100K miles.
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The only thing that even comes close is a 350 SBC!:D
 
Ol' Ron said:
Be Nice if I could have some help here Pete, gota keep these old engines runnin. I'm not capable to build an engine and post pics and videos. All My grandchildren have moved on.Jere's my suggestions. In JWLs book he has the output of the stock 239ci engine at 150 lbs of torque @ 2,000, and 80 hP @ 3000.
Boring the block to 3 5/16 will add 19ci and aprox 10ft lbs of torque Plus one point in cR angle milling the head .07- will also increase Cr by one point. The EAB cylinder head has 74cc chamber volumn wnd will give the 258CI engine aprox 7.7 CR all this will work verywell with the stock Load a matic ignition. And the engine will look as stock as the day it came from the factory.
Gramps
Click to expand...

No sweat. I agree almost 100%. Only thing I would change if it was in the budget is, use an aftermarket all mechanical ignition.
 
Yes 10/30 is a fine oil from most'r brands. Pete thats true but when using the stock vam the Load a matic is almost fool prof. How many people hee have a AF meter. I even loan out the timing light KISS is my moto
Gramps
 
Stock engines don;t have much valve spring pressure, so any lack of special addatives don't have much vale. Are they better, yes. Are they necessary, I'really not sure?????
Gramps
Why are there two perfect engine threads????????
G
 
Maybe you were hacked and the Russians want to know how to build the perfect Flathead?? Well....just a thought. :)
 
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