The Ford Barn

IndianapolisRacer · 01-26-2019, 08:14 PM

As per all suggestions I have moved my post for installing an Olds in my 39 Ford Deluxe to H.A.M.B .

Tinker · 01-27-2019, 01:31 AM

well... i like the hamb too. no real loss. Maybe needed over there too.

Sure to follow. not my doing as I didn't mind it here, being you.

.

G.M. · 01-27-2019, 01:18 PM

In 1950 I put a 49 Olds in my 34. I made the adaptor
plate out of steel plate. It's so long ago I forgot how
thick it was. G.M.

ford38v8 · 01-27-2019, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.M.

In 1950 I put a 49 Olds in my 34. I made the adaptor
plate out of steel plate. It's so long ago I forgot how
thick it was. G.M.

The adapter plate should be about 5% of the thickness of all the stacked calendars since you did the job!

skidmarks · 01-27-2019, 02:14 PM

They vary from 3/8" and 1/2" depending on who made it.

tubman · 01-27-2019, 03:46 PM

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I have one I removed from my race car that had an Olds mated to a CAE in/out box (early Ford bolt pattern). I think mine was only about 1/4" thick. I still have it so I can measure it if anybody cares.

skidmarks · 01-27-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I have one I removed from my race car that had an Olds mated to a CAE in/out box (early Ford bolt pattern). I think mine was only about 1/4" thick. I still have it so I can measure it if anybody cares.

I would.
Are the tapped holes for the transmission same thickness as the rest of the plate

The ones I have, the 2 top bolts for the caddy or olds patter are counter sunk because the flathead bellhousing over laps just a little

mfirth · 01-28-2019, 07:07 AM

O k, helped a guy in 1963 put a J-2 in a 40 ford p-u. 1st trial run...no brakes...YIKES!
He also had a 46 p-u with a full house 59a...i'd love to have that 46 now ! FLATHEADS 4EVER !!! m

blucar · 01-28-2019, 11:42 AM

As I recall the main problem with putting an Old's V8 into an early Ford V8 is the starter being on the left side which interferes with the steering gears. The Cad engines were much more popular in the EFV8.

The Buick V8 Nail-Heads and Stude V8's also were very popular during the '50's.

Jack E/NJ · 01-28-2019, 12:04 PM

Only one V8 fit better than a flathead in an old Ford. 8^) Jack E/NJ

JSeery · 01-28-2019, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Only one V8 fit better than a flathead in an old Ford. 8^) Jack E/NJ

True, but only after mid-50s.

DavidG · 01-28-2019, 07:25 PM

The stock Olds starter motor position is not an issue in '32-'34 Fords. It becomes an issue with the fatter steering gear boxes starting in '35 and there was a nice Hildebrand bell housing conversion to move it to the right side along with the hardware to relocate the full flow oil filter. Back in the late fifties where I was, Olds engines were the preference over Cadillac engines by at least six to one.

Jack E/NJ · 01-28-2019, 08:04 PM

I stand corrected. Only one V8 fit better than a flathead or an Olds in an old Ford. 8^) Jack E/NJ

Ol' Ron · 01-28-2019, 08:08 PM

Hurst, became famous back then by offering a kit to install Olds engines in the 35/48 fords included everything you needed to blow the trans and rear axles the first week you got it running. did quit a few of thm

Kruzn40 · 01-29-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Hurst, became famous back then by offering a kit to install Olds engines in the 35/48 fords included everything you needed to blow the trans and rear axles the first week you got it running. did quit a few of thm

I remember carrying a supply of axle keys with me in my Buick powered '40 coupe.

tubman · 01-29-2019, 02:33 PM

I also carried spare axle keys in my old '36 with a 276 Merc, but mine were shorter than stock and mild steel. They were the first thing to go if I got too rambunctious. I now know that this is not the proper way to transfer power from the axle to the hub, but after replacing just one axle, I felt I had to do something. It got so I could change a key in less than 10 minutes.

1931 flamingo · 01-29-2019, 03:41 PM

Had a 40 with a 57 olds and a 39 tranny. Never "got on" it as I didn't want to change tranny or broken axle. Never sheared an axle key either. My new 40 has a 59a and 39 tranny, dual 97's and Kogel heads. Still not going to "get on" it.
Paul in CT

oldandtired · 01-29-2019, 04:12 PM

I had a 34 Ford 2 door sedan with a 425 Olds, tri-power, and an automatic back in 1969. Used one of the pumpkin rear ends out of a late 50's Olds. Ran cheater slicks. Zero interior except for a driver seat and a passenger seat. It was a lot of fun between stoplights going from McDonald's to Bill Williams in Houston.

Tinker · 01-29-2019, 09:52 PM

If you like to follow it on the hamb here is the link...
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-ford.1137536/

old hen or not.

cmbrucew · 01-29-2019, 10:55 PM

Thanks Tinker

Bruce

JM 35 Sedan · 01-31-2019, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

I stand corrected. Only one V8 fit better than a flathead or an Olds in an old Ford. 8^) Jack E/NJ

Jack, you might want to check with 51 Merc-CT and find out how you could make a flash of light to represent combustion at top of the compression stroke for each cylinder shown on your Avatar engine. That might make the coolest Avatar here on Fordbarn

Ol' Ron · 01-31-2019, 10:44 AM

One of the reasons we installed an Olds in our old Fords was to win at the Saturday night drags in Seaside park in Bridgeport Ct. Holma's (It was still there up untill a few years ago) Then go down too waldamer Ave and have at it. It didn't take long to find the weak parts in the car. This is the reason I don't know very much about the old transmission and Banjo rears. After fixing a few we had to find something stronger. ONe fix for the trans was to mill of a few thous from the rear of the box to remove all the backlash. We'd pick up an old box from a junk yard take it apart and Measure the distance between th snap rings . Add.006 and make the case that long. Surprised at how long the trans lasteed after "Slam" shifting the Olds at 5K into second.After a while the trans became more expensive (25$ up from 10) and we discovered that the Caddy box would fit the Olds standard Bell housing. That;s right in 49 a standard trans was available int he Olds. Then we had to figgerout how to install a different rear axle. If it wasn't for the" How to" articles in Hot rod , Car craft and Honk mags. we'd be in deeo dodo. There were no aftermarket "Stuff" like there is today. Very few guys had much money so if they wanted to go racing they had to be resurfull, and figger it out . WE were always looking at the others guys car so we could copy what they did. The Hot Rod Industry is an evolution of all that.

JSeery · 01-31-2019, 10:55 AM

Ron, it would be interesting if someone put together a history of Hot Rodding history in the 50s and early 60s from the prospective of the "really" folks. Most of what I see/read is the California version of the period and even then mostly the high dollar end of things. Growing up in the Great Plains area it was a lot different than the high dollar California version most often recorded. The cars looked different and the approach to building them was different. Maybe few care about this period, but it is one I have always been interested in. I enjoy attempting to reconstruct some of the period technology, like using F1/F100 parts or later axles in the banjo rear end to beef it up.

skidmarks · 01-31-2019, 11:05 AM

50 olds stick was the choice (like a lasalle) 49 didnt use this trans behind a V8 (hydro only). 6 cyl olds stick was was a different transmission

Ol' Ron · 01-31-2019, 02:09 PM

What you must understand is the fact that a 303 CI engine was HUGE in comparison to anything we had back them. 8:1 CR was also at the top of the list and a stock 49/51 olds had torque that ran well over 4000 RPm, even with a 2 bl carb. I had built a 284 ci flathead for a friend 400jr and 3 duces. These Olds powered cars could blow the doors off it. The fatheads could beet then off the line, but halfway down the strip, they flew by like you were stand ing still. Only when the SBC came out, did the Olds lopoe favorthem. But the flathead was dead them, we all went are seperat ways entering the world of Musel cars. a SBC in a Model A roadster, the fastest thing on the strip. Remember drag racing was King back then, somebody went 200 mph in the quarter and broke the 8 sec time. Hard to believe, some people didn't.
This typing is getting harder every day, sorry.

JSeery · 01-31-2019, 02:17 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

This typing is getting harder every day, sorry.

But the memories are great Ron.

Henry Floored · 01-31-2019, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidmarks

50 olds stick was the choice (like a lasalle) 49 didnt use this trans behind a V8 (hydro only). 6 cyl olds stick was was a different transmission

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

What you must understand is the fact that a 303 CI engine was HUGE in comparison to anything we had back them. 8:1 CR was also at the top of the list and a stock 49/51 olds had torque that ran well over 4000 RPm, even with a 2 bl carb. I had built a 284 ci flathead for a friend 400jr and 3 duces. These Olds powered cars could blow the doors off it. The fatheads could beet then off the line, but halfway down the strip, they flew by like you were stand ing still. Only when the SBC came out, did the Olds lopoe favorthem. But the flathead was dead them, we all went are seperat ways entering the world of Musel cars. a SBC in a Model A roadster, the fastest thing on the strip. Remember drag racing was King back then, somebody went 200 mph in the quarter and broke the 8 sec time. Hard to believe, some people didn't.
This typing is getting harder every day, sorry.

No one ever thought to use a Lincoln OHV V8? Those could be had with sturdy 3spd O/D’s from the factory.

Roy Brechler built a 368 for Engine Masters with self ported heads, good cam and compression and a Holly 4V that made over 500 horsepower.

Show me a sbc or Olds that can make more with original 1950’s block and head casting and a single 4V on gasoline.

Henry Floored · 01-31-2019, 05:27 PM

Henry Floored · 01-31-2019, 05:31 PM

Notice that the Lincoln is actually shorter than a Ford Y-block. The oil pan on this motor is the truck one that is conveniently scooped out to clear the early Ford cross member AND the starter is on the passenger side of the engine from the factory.

DavidG · 01-31-2019, 05:32 PM

For the shade tree mechanic, the oil pan was a big deterrent.

skidmarks · 01-31-2019, 07:02 PM

Gee , I figured you would come along sooner then later to ruin another thread with your same rant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Floored

No one ever thought to use a Lincoln OHV V8? Those could be had with sturdy 3spd O/D’s from the factory.

Roy Brechler built a 368 for Engine Masters with self ported heads, good cam and compression and a Holly 4V that made over 500 horsepower.

Show me a sbc or Olds that can make more with original 1950’s block and head casting and a single 4V on gasoline.

Henry Floored · 01-31-2019, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidmarks

Gee , I figured you would come along sooner then later to ruin another thread with your same rant.

I ruined the thread? Not my intention. I was born in ‘61. I pretty much missed the hot rod movement. I even missed the muscle cars that replaced them.

I’m just a Ford guy that wasn’t there but wonders why hot rodders stayed away from Ford power in droves.

I have a ‘54 Lincoln/truck 317 with that exact oil pan on it. I measured the Lincoln next to a Thunderbird 292 that I built. The 317 was 1 1/2” shorter.

The guys up there ^^^ are talking about how they had to scrounge around for a manual transmission, bell housing, flywheel etc. for Oldsmobiles. My 317 came with all that.

In the 50’s you could even buy these things over the counter at your friendly Ford dealer.

Lincoln’s came with 3 speed overdrives. How many you want? I got two.

Sorry I ruined your fun.

Ol' Ron · 01-31-2019, 10:31 PM

All this is true, but came long after the 50's. IT took several years before the swaps becam practical and economical. WE were using the 304 and 324 Olds engines in the mid 50's and the SBC started pretty quick. In 1956 there was a 55 chevy on the track in Jefferson WI. Most were Flatheads but the #3 was a 270 GMC and that one was hard to beat. I never worked on many flatheads during the 50's and early 60's Untill I got the job as engine man on the Danbury. I got that kob through Bill Barth h
who ran a speed shop im BPt. I think most towns in America had some guys like me and those I ran with. Had a family so I had to work on otrers cars so I had spme cash for mY 392 Hemi. That;s another story.

Tinker · 01-31-2019, 11:35 PM

Some of the early circle track stuff went to straight 6s. Very underestimated. Stovebolts are a bullet proof motor.

Same with the ford 6 223. But it never had a big following, especially with after market stuff.

A 2 engine ford 6 rail car and a early hemi car burn out. brandon nostalgia drags, good time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjZq5d_hTxA

Think the hemi took the hole shot.

Always like to hear your input Ron. Fun stuff.

.

Henry Floored · 02-01-2019, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

For the shade tree mechanic, the oil pan was a big deterrent.

Yes I realize that but the flipping of the starter from driver’s side to passenger side on various gm engines must have been a breeze.

JSeery · 02-01-2019, 08:54 AM

It wasn't much of a branding thing in the early 50s, it was what was the easiest way to get the most hp. You can bet that if a different engine was as easy to fit and get the performance out of it would have been popular. After the introduction of the small block Chevy and a few years of experience with it, it quickly did become a brand locality issue! The small block became the "flathead" of the Hot Rodders of the late 50s and the 60s.

Henry Floored · 02-01-2019, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

It wasn't much of a branding thing in the early 50s, it was what was the easiest way to get the most hp. You can bet that if a different engine was as easy to fit and get the performance out of it would have been popular. After the introduction of the small block Chevy and a few years of experience with it, it quickly did become a brand locality issue! The small block became the "flathead" of the Hot Rodders of the late 50s and the 60s.

Very true.

tubman · 02-01-2019, 11:16 AM

I remember in 1961, I had a friend who was really into SBC's. Up to that time they had been hard to find in junkyards, because they were still in fairly new cars. Up to that time, he had been paying around $400 for "take out" engines. Then, prices dropped precipitously, to $100 for a guaranteed good runner to $50 for one in unknown condition laying on it's side next to the "engine pile".

51504bat · 02-01-2019, 11:44 AM

This typing is getting harder every day, sorry.[/QUOTE]

Understood but don't apologize. I learn a lot from your posts regardless of any typing issues and I'm betting that others do as well.

Charlie ny · 02-01-2019, 12:09 PM

I'm diggin' this thread almost filling two pages. It's where we were back in the day,
kind of reverse nostalgia to where we 'live' now. Seems like we all have a little HAMB in us , cool.
Charlie ny

Bob/Ohio · 02-01-2019, 12:38 PM

Tubman,
I remember some of the local junkyards would tell you " Engines were guaranteed no knocks no cracks". They never said anything about smoke! Sometimes you got lucky and sometimes not.

Bob

Krylon32 · 02-01-2019, 01:18 PM

My first Hot Rod in 1970 was 39 deluxe coupe with a small nail-head going thru the stock drive-line. I drove the car about 40K with no problems. It seemed to fit fine, maybe better than an Olds?

Ol' Ron · 02-01-2019, 05:23 PM

Holman and Mody was the place to go for the 439 Lincoln engine. Charley, I have two boxes of :Stuff: in the process of being shipped. The weather has been too cold and i ran out of propane in the shop. That however has been fixed. I need to pack things so they don't get danaged. I checked with a few of my suppliers for those missing parts you want but most of that stuf has been sold or scrapped.. I;ll try and get it off as soon as I can.
Don't want to drop dead with all this "Stuff" arond.

Charlie ny · 02-01-2019, 05:27 PM

Thank you Ron.......we'll settle up for sure.......I was down to propane fumes when
the truck finally arrived, next day the temp averaged minus 4.
Charlie ny

Ol' Ron · 02-01-2019, 07:56 PM

Yea, between the cold and Old age, I don't move too fast. I don't have any transportation, so I have to wait till my helper comes around once a week. Last time I stopped to buy some bubble wrap, but they were out. Thus Tuesday we'll check again, maybe take a ride into the BIG city. Springfield.

Tinker · 02-01-2019, 11:13 PM

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This guy ran a flathead. quite literally.

jimTN · 02-02-2019, 09:07 AM

I put a 55 Olds in my 40 cpe back around 59 and drove it a bunch of years. Had a columbia with no controls under it, I would kick it into high when going any distance and back to low for local running. Pulled our dirt car with it to the races on weekends. Finally got tired of replacing transmissions and put a flathead back in it.

01-26-2019, 08:14 PM	#1
IndianapolisRacer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Olney , Illinois Posts: 222	Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe As per all suggestions I have moved my post for installing an Olds in my 39 Ford Deluxe to H.A.M.B .

01-27-2019, 01:31 AM	#2
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe well... i like the hamb too. no real loss. Maybe needed over there too. Sure to follow. not my doing as I didn't mind it here, being you. .

01-27-2019, 02:14 PM	#5
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe They vary from 3/8" and 1/2" depending on who made it.

01-27-2019, 03:46 PM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have one I removed from my race car that had an Olds mated to a CAE in/out box (early Ford bolt pattern). I think mine was only about 1/4" thick. I still have it so I can measure it if anybody cares.

01-28-2019, 07:07 AM	#8
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe O k, helped a guy in 1963 put a J-2 in a 40 ford p-u. 1st trial run...no brakes...YIKES! He also had a 46 p-u with a full house 59a...i'd love to have that 46 now ! FLATHEADS 4EVER !!! m

01-27-2019, 01:18 PM	#3
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe In 1950 I put a 49 Olds in my 34. I made the adaptor plate out of steel plate. It's so long ago I forgot how thick it was. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

01-28-2019, 11:42 AM	#9
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe As I recall the main problem with putting an Old's V8 into an early Ford V8 is the starter being on the left side which interferes with the steering gears. The Cad engines were much more popular in the EFV8. The Buick V8 Nail-Heads and Stude V8's also were very popular during the '50's. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

01-28-2019, 12:04 PM	#10
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Only one V8 fit better than a flathead in an old Ford. 8^) Jack E/NJ

01-28-2019, 07:25 PM	#12
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe The stock Olds starter motor position is not an issue in '32-'34 Fords. It becomes an issue with the fatter steering gear boxes starting in '35 and there was a nice Hildebrand bell housing conversion to move it to the right side along with the hardware to relocate the full flow oil filter. Back in the late fifties where I was, Olds engines were the preference over Cadillac engines by at least six to one.

01-28-2019, 08:04 PM	#13
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe I stand corrected. Only one V8 fit better than a flathead or an Olds in an old Ford. 8^) Jack E/NJ

01-28-2019, 08:08 PM	#14
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Hurst, became famous back then by offering a kit to install Olds engines in the 35/48 fords included everything you needed to blow the trans and rear axles the first week you got it running. did quit a few of thm

01-29-2019, 02:33 PM	#16
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe I also carried spare axle keys in my old '36 with a 276 Merc, but mine were shorter than stock and mild steel. They were the first thing to go if I got too rambunctious. I now know that this is not the proper way to transfer power from the axle to the hub, but after replacing just one axle, I felt I had to do something. It got so I could change a key in less than 10 minutes.

01-29-2019, 03:41 PM	#17
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Had a 40 with a 57 olds and a 39 tranny. Never "got on" it as I didn't want to change tranny or broken axle. Never sheared an axle key either. My new 40 has a 59a and 39 tranny, dual 97's and Kogel heads. Still not going to "get on" it. Paul in CT

01-29-2019, 04:12 PM	#18
oldandtired Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edgefield, SC Posts: 810	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe I had a 34 Ford 2 door sedan with a 425 Olds, tri-power, and an automatic back in 1969. Used one of the pumpkin rear ends out of a late 50's Olds. Ran cheater slicks. Zero interior except for a driver seat and a passenger seat. It was a lot of fun between stoplights going from McDonald's to Bill Williams in Houston.

01-29-2019, 09:52 PM	#19
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe If you like to follow it on the hamb here is the link... https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-ford.1137536/ old hen or not.

01-29-2019, 10:55 PM	#20
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Thanks Tinker Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

01-31-2019, 10:44 AM	#22
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe One of the reasons we installed an Olds in our old Fords was to win at the Saturday night drags in Seaside park in Bridgeport Ct. Holma's (It was still there up untill a few years ago) Then go down too waldamer Ave and have at it. It didn't take long to find the weak parts in the car. This is the reason I don't know very much about the old transmission and Banjo rears. After fixing a few we had to find something stronger. ONe fix for the trans was to mill of a few thous from the rear of the box to remove all the backlash. We'd pick up an old box from a junk yard take it apart and Measure the distance between th snap rings . Add.006 and make the case that long. Surprised at how long the trans lasteed after "Slam" shifting the Olds at 5K into second.After a while the trans became more expensive (25$ up from 10) and we discovered that the Caddy box would fit the Olds standard Bell housing. That;s right in 49 a standard trans was available int he Olds. Then we had to figgerout how to install a different rear axle. If it wasn't for the" How to" articles in Hot rod , Car craft and Honk mags. we'd be in deeo dodo. There were no aftermarket "Stuff" like there is today. Very few guys had much money so if they wanted to go racing they had to be resurfull, and figger it out . WE were always looking at the others guys car so we could copy what they did. The Hot Rod Industry is an evolution of all that.

01-31-2019, 10:55 AM	#23
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Ron, it would be interesting if someone put together a history of Hot Rodding history in the 50s and early 60s from the prospective of the "really" folks. Most of what I see/read is the California version of the period and even then mostly the high dollar end of things. Growing up in the Great Plains area it was a lot different than the high dollar California version most often recorded. The cars looked different and the approach to building them was different. Maybe few care about this period, but it is one I have always been interested in. I enjoy attempting to reconstruct some of the period technology, like using F1/F100 parts or later axles in the banjo rear end to beef it up. Last edited by JSeery; 01-31-2019 at 11:00 AM.

01-31-2019, 11:05 AM	#24
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe 50 olds stick was the choice (like a lasalle) 49 didnt use this trans behind a V8 (hydro only). 6 cyl olds stick was was a different transmission

01-31-2019, 02:09 PM	#25
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe What you must understand is the fact that a 303 CI engine was HUGE in comparison to anything we had back them. 8:1 CR was also at the top of the list and a stock 49/51 olds had torque that ran well over 4000 RPm, even with a 2 bl carb. I had built a 284 ci flathead for a friend 400jr and 3 duces. These Olds powered cars could blow the doors off it. The fatheads could beet then off the line, but halfway down the strip, they flew by like you were stand ing still. Only when the SBC came out, did the Olds lopoe favorthem. But the flathead was dead them, we all went are seperat ways entering the world of Musel cars. a SBC in a Model A roadster, the fastest thing on the strip. Remember drag racing was King back then, somebody went 200 mph in the quarter and broke the 8 sec time. Hard to believe, some people didn't. This typing is getting harder every day, sorry.

01-31-2019, 05:27 PM	#28
Henry Floored Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 583	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe

01-31-2019, 05:31 PM	#29
Henry Floored Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 583	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Notice that the Lincoln is actually shorter than a Ford Y-block. The oil pan on this motor is the truck one that is conveniently scooped out to clear the early Ford cross member AND the starter is on the passenger side of the engine from the factory.

01-31-2019, 05:32 PM	#30
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,094	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe For the shade tree mechanic, the oil pan was a big deterrent.

01-31-2019, 10:31 PM	#33
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe All this is true, but came long after the 50's. IT took several years before the swaps becam practical and economical. WE were using the 304 and 324 Olds engines in the mid 50's and the SBC started pretty quick. In 1956 there was a 55 chevy on the track in Jefferson WI. Most were Flatheads but the #3 was a 270 GMC and that one was hard to beat. I never worked on many flatheads during the 50's and early 60's Untill I got the job as engine man on the Danbury. I got that kob through Bill Barth h who ran a speed shop im BPt. I think most towns in America had some guys like me and those I ran with. Had a family so I had to work on otrers cars so I had spme cash for mY 392 Hemi. That;s another story.

01-31-2019, 11:35 PM	#34
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Some of the early circle track stuff went to straight 6s. Very underestimated. Stovebolts are a bullet proof motor. Same with the ford 6 223. But it never had a big following, especially with after market stuff. A 2 engine ford 6 rail car and a early hemi car burn out. brandon nostalgia drags, good time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjZq5d_hTxA Think the hemi took the hole shot. Always like to hear your input Ron. Fun stuff. . Last edited by Tinker; 02-01-2019 at 12:13 AM.

02-01-2019, 08:54 AM	#36
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe It wasn't much of a branding thing in the early 50s, it was what was the easiest way to get the most hp. You can bet that if a different engine was as easy to fit and get the performance out of it would have been popular. After the introduction of the small block Chevy and a few years of experience with it, it quickly did become a brand locality issue! The small block became the "flathead" of the Hot Rodders of the late 50s and the 60s.

02-01-2019, 11:16 AM	#38
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe I remember in 1961, I had a friend who was really into SBC's. Up to that time they had been hard to find in junkyards, because they were still in fairly new cars. Up to that time, he had been paying around $400 for "take out" engines. Then, prices dropped precipitously, to $100 for a guaranteed good runner to $50 for one in unknown condition laying on it's side next to the "engine pile". Last edited by tubman; 02-01-2019 at 11:33 AM.

02-01-2019, 11:44 AM	#39
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,009	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe This typing is getting harder every day, sorry.[/QUOTE] Understood but don't apologize. I learn a lot from your posts regardless of any typing issues and I'm betting that others do as well. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

02-01-2019, 12:09 PM	#40
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe I'm diggin' this thread almost filling two pages. It's where we were back in the day, kind of reverse nostalgia to where we 'live' now. Seems like we all have a little HAMB in us , cool. Charlie ny

02-01-2019, 12:38 PM	#41
Bob/Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.E.Ohio Posts: 222	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Tubman, I remember some of the local junkyards would tell you " Engines were guaranteed no knocks no cracks". They never said anything about smoke! Sometimes you got lucky and sometimes not. Bob

02-01-2019, 01:18 PM	#42
Krylon32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,470	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe My first Hot Rod in 1970 was 39 deluxe coupe with a small nail-head going thru the stock drive-line. I drove the car about 40K with no problems. It seemed to fit fine, maybe better than an Olds?

02-01-2019, 05:23 PM	#43
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Holman and Mody was the place to go for the 439 Lincoln engine. Charley, I have two boxes of :Stuff: in the process of being shipped. The weather has been too cold and i ran out of propane in the shop. That however has been fixed. I need to pack things so they don't get danaged. I checked with a few of my suppliers for those missing parts you want but most of that stuf has been sold or scrapped.. I;ll try and get it off as soon as I can. Don't want to drop dead with all this "Stuff" arond.

02-01-2019, 05:27 PM	#44
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Thank you Ron.......we'll settle up for sure.......I was down to propane fumes when the truck finally arrived, next day the temp averaged minus 4. Charlie ny

02-01-2019, 07:56 PM	#45
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,855	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe Yea, between the cold and Old age, I don't move too fast. I don't have any transportation, so I have to wait till my helper comes around once a week. Last time I stopped to buy some bubble wrap, but they were out. Thus Tuesday we'll check again, maybe take a ride into the BIG city. Springfield.

02-02-2019, 09:07 AM	#47
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,508	Re: Olds in a 1939 Ford Coupe I put a 55 Olds in my 40 cpe back around 59 and drove it a bunch of years. Had a columbia with no controls under it, I would kick it into high when going any distance and back to low for local running. Pulled our dirt car with it to the races on weekends. Finally got tired of replacing transmissions and put a flathead back in it.