The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Replace Flathead with Y-Block?

Ol' Ron · 10-04-2019, 05:09 PM

Going back in history, the development of the big cubic engines started in 49 with the 303 Olds and the 331 caddy. This was at a time when the 286 Flatty was about as far as you could go, without getting into allot of money. By the time you installed a cam and a few carbs, you'd have over 500 bucks into the car. Now along cam the 303 Olds and you could buy them for a coupla hundred bucks. Just made an adapter kit for a hundred bucks. And you could have a tire smoking street machine for allot less. Unfortunately, this brought about a few other problems, like blown trans and broken axles. It didn't take long before thay went the way of the old flathead. I ,even had a 392 Hemi in a 47 Plymouth. Besides all these broken parts, the handling qualities, and Brakes of the car mad them dangerous to drive. What was worse, they kept making them bigger.
Thus started the small block Chevy revolution. Hard to admit, it not only brought speed back but handling as well. Ford figured that out and produced the 302/351 and I think they weight about the same as a flatty. Now that I said all that my favorite engine is a 258 flathead, It might not be the most powerful engine, but in a light cat, cam, and a few other goodies. It make a very nice street machine.

10-04-2019, 05:09 PM	#31
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Replace Flathead with Y-Block? Going back in history, the development of the big cubic engines started in 49 with the 303 Olds and the 331 caddy. This was at a time when the 286 Flatty was about as far as you could go, without getting into allot of money. By the time you installed a cam and a few carbs, you'd have over 500 bucks into the car. Now along cam the 303 Olds and you could buy them for a coupla hundred bucks. Just made an adapter kit for a hundred bucks. And you could have a tire smoking street machine for allot less. Unfortunately, this brought about a few other problems, like blown trans and broken axles. It didn't take long before thay went the way of the old flathead. I ,even had a 392 Hemi in a 47 Plymouth. Besides all these broken parts, the handling qualities, and Brakes of the car mad them dangerous to drive. What was worse, they kept making them bigger. Thus started the small block Chevy revolution. Hard to admit, it not only brought speed back but handling as well. Ford figured that out and produced the 302/351 and I think they weight about the same as a flatty. Now that I said all that my favorite engine is a 258 flathead, It might not be the most powerful engine, but in a light cat, cam, and a few other goodies. It make a very nice street machine.