The Ford Barn

Twrench~70 · 06-18-2023, 06:13 PM

I was just wondering how much trouble would it be to swap my 60hp flattie and tranny out for an 85hp or 125hp flattie and transmission. What are my options for the easiest swap. the 60hp is just not getting anymore, but I do like the car I'm driving which is a 1938 Tudor standard. Please advise thank you

ford38v8 · 06-18-2023, 06:27 PM

You’d need to change out the radiator, engine, transmission, torque tube, differential, wheels, tires, and a few more odds and ends. You’re better off selling it and buying what you really really want.

hotcoupe · 06-18-2023, 06:39 PM

Yes, everything from the radiator to the ring and pinion is specific to a "60". I know, I did it to my '37 1/2, It was a lot of work but worth it. I also added a Columbia and hydraulic brakes. Completely different truck now.
Tom

Jack E/NJ · 06-18-2023, 09:39 PM

Maybe a head mill & dual-carb intake would wake it up for less money & trouble
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126296

Here's one from Summit with adapters for mounting deuces.

drolston · 06-19-2023, 02:13 PM

In the 70's, I bought a '37 ford Tudor slant back with a 60 hp engine, just because I loved the look of that car. But the engine would not pull the hat off of your head. It burned oil and had low compression; - just worn out. But a fresh 60 hp is a decent driver, as long as you do not try to go faster than 55.

A few added cubic inches would be helpful, plus the high compression heads and dual intake for better breathing. Maybe check with H&H Flatheads to sea what it would take to soup up your 60 hp.

Twrench~70 · 06-19-2023, 02:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thank you for the insight

tubman · 06-19-2023, 03:41 PM

Sorry guys, but I think "souping up" the 60 is a waste of time and money. Compression and combustion efficiency will help, but the other stuff only adds at the top end, when what you really need is torque.

jimTN · 06-19-2023, 03:58 PM

You can use a 85 or 100 by removing the radiator and engine mount plates also swapping a proper radiator and transmission. The rear end is most likely a 4.44 gear which will make your engine scream until you get a 3.78 or 4.11 center section. The TT and driveshaft should be the same as a 85.

38 coupe · 06-19-2023, 04:51 PM

As mentioned earlier, the radiator, engine, transmission, and rear axle ratio are all different, along with other detail differences. Yes, you can swap all that stuff over once you find replacements, but you lose the history and driving characteristics of the car.
One thing I did in the past to help a 60 was advance the initial timing on the distributor up as far as it would go. Added a bit of pep that was missing.

06-18-2023, 06:13 PM	#1
Twrench~70 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 15	engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie I was just wondering how much trouble would it be to swap my 60hp flattie and tranny out for an 85hp or 125hp flattie and transmission. What are my options for the easiest swap. the 60hp is just not getting anymore, but I do like the car I'm driving which is a 1938 Tudor standard. Please advise thank you

06-18-2023, 06:27 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,646	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie You’d need to change out the radiator, engine, transmission, torque tube, differential, wheels, tires, and a few more odds and ends. You’re better off selling it and buying what you really really want. __________________ Alan

06-18-2023, 06:39 PM	#3
hotcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: imperial,mo Posts: 694	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie Yes, everything from the radiator to the ring and pinion is specific to a "60". I know, I did it to my '37 1/2, It was a lot of work but worth it. I also added a Columbia and hydraulic brakes. Completely different truck now. Tom Last edited by hotcoupe; 06-19-2023 at 05:19 AM.

06-19-2023, 02:13 PM	#5
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie In the 70's, I bought a '37 ford Tudor slant back with a 60 hp engine, just because I loved the look of that car. But the engine would not pull the hat off of your head. It burned oil and had low compression; - just worn out. But a fresh 60 hp is a decent driver, as long as you do not try to go faster than 55. A few added cubic inches would be helpful, plus the high compression heads and dual intake for better breathing. Maybe check with H&H Flatheads to sea what it would take to soup up your 60 hp.

06-19-2023, 02:36 PM	#6
Twrench~70 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 15	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you for the insight

06-19-2023, 03:41 PM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie Sorry guys, but I think "souping up" the 60 is a waste of time and money. Compression and combustion efficiency will help, but the other stuff only adds at the top end, when what you really need is torque.

06-19-2023, 03:58 PM	#8
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie You can use a 85 or 100 by removing the radiator and engine mount plates also swapping a proper radiator and transmission. The rear end is most likely a 4.44 gear which will make your engine scream until you get a 3.78 or 4.11 center section. The TT and driveshaft should be the same as a 85.

06-19-2023, 04:51 PM	#9
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: engine swap 60hp flattie to 85or 125 flattie As mentioned earlier, the radiator, engine, transmission, and rear axle ratio are all different, along with other detail differences. Yes, you can swap all that stuff over once you find replacements, but you lose the history and driving characteristics of the car. One thing I did in the past to help a 60 was advance the initial timing on the distributor up as far as it would go. Added a bit of pep that was missing.