Thread: Give me some input for my wacky idea please.

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Hi guys, I have my 40 Ford Deluxe and I yanked the 377 in hopes to put a 354 Hemi in it. I've got the hemi but that's it. I'm stuck on trans choice now. I might go T5 5 speed, but that won't be strong enough in the future. The parts to get the Hemi in the car and then the stuff I need to rebuild and replace on this car is going to be a lot of money. I've got another idea for it too, but most street rodders will really cry about this.

I'm a diesel guy at heart. I have many customer trucks running around with over 400HP getting 16-23mpg. Seeing how I'm going to have to install a new fire wall, modify/rebuild my X member and trans mount, maybe modify the floor pan, beef up my MII front end, buy or build new engine mounts, to put the hemi in. Doing all this work would allow me to drop a cummins diesel in it too. Benefits of this would be great fuel mileage, unique, and I know I can build this cheap and have 400HP without killing mileage. I'd like to get my car drive able and done enough to take on power tour this year. That's another reason why the budget is tight.

I know the die hard 40 Ford guys will be madder than crap when they see this done. Most cried about a SBC in it. I really like the thought of the 354 in it, but IDK if I can get it done this year. I have all the hard parts to put the cummins in it. I just can't bring myself to do it. Yet. I know I'll miss the loud gas engine and the high rpm's. But being affordable to cruise and not worry is good too. Please give me your thoughts good or bad. Thanks Ryan.

I have a friend who was making plans to drop a diesel in a classic Caddy, saying the same things about mileage & power but he ended up switching to a late model Chevy LT motor. He decided that he did not want to listen to the diesel clatter all the time.

I'd use the hemi, and then take a look at the Tremec tranny's. I'm running a TKO600 and love it.

Well Welcome to CHR..First I have never built a car for myself wondering what the other guy is going to say. That said if a diesel turns you on why not. It sounds like you like to drive it , make it the way you want it. ENJOY

I doubt the M2 suspension will carry it but... build it like you want it! It would make me smile! But. I wouldn't want to listen to it... LOL...

hemi hemi hemi hemi hemi

Chassis Engineering in Iowa for mounts, etc

Diesels are the new Hemis! ;-) Go for it... You can always put the Hemi in next time.

You have to build it for you. If you want a hemi, do a hemi. If you want a diesel, then do a diesel. Don't worry about what others will say because it isn't their car. If you have your heart set on the diesel and then do a hemi, down the line, you will probably regret it.

Welcome to CHR!

One of the great things about hot rodding is that "there's no one right way" to build your rod. I'd certainly listen to input on suspension as it relates to weight and performance characteristics as these are basic life safety considerations however; put the power plant you want in the car! I'm with Evolvo - go for it!!!

I've seen a lot of rods with SBC engines and I'm kind of a Chevy guy myself but I always appreciate those that go outside the box and install a Buick V6 or an inline engine. Hot roddin' is about more than just going fast - it's about creativity and expressing your self.

I learned a lesson early on from a "pretty-little-thing" driving a Buick. She looked about 18 or so and had blonde curly hair and smiled at me as I lumped up next to her at a stoplight in what I thought was one bad Chevy. She left me standing and when I finally caught up and talked to her she informed me that she 35 and an engineer / diesel mechanic working for a division of Freightliner and that I had been smoked by a Volvo turbo-diesel. Her diesel had more torque at 2,000 RPM than my SBC would ever make! As her '58 Buick lumbered off I caught the distinct whiff of diesel and gained a real healthy respect for both: the 105 pound girl and the turbo diesel.

Do it man - and let us see the project!

Again, Welcome,
Glenn

Which would make you happier? Having great mileage, and saving some money... or the satisfaction of seeing that classic Hemi in there?

Your own satisfation with the car is what should guide you.

To me, this hobby is about having fun.... but it's your project

there's no one right way-----but there are many zillions of wrong ways---

If the car your talking about is the one in your avator---nice looking piece--would definitely be classic with either a flat head or hemi---but a Cummins????that engine and trans will not only be too long, too heavy,, but you won't be able to spin your tires , the sound will get you snoobed/blackballed at every gathering (cummins is even sicker sound than the import fart cans)

Do some measurements and don't forget the accessories--you will also probably need to front half your frame with the dodge truck frame(probably would be the easiest way to do that swap anyway--also do some weight calculations----

Now if you were going to pull an RV trailer, maybe you could mount the 40 body on a late model mopar frame-----

Originally Posted by rspears

I have a friend who was making plans to drop a diesel in a classic Caddy, saying the same things about mileage & power but he ended up switching to a late model Chevy LT motor. He decided that he did not want to listen to the diesel clatter all the time.

I'd use the hemi, and then take a look at the Tremec tranny's. I'm running a TKO600 and love it.

I actually was thinking of going with a T5 from a Mustang because I have one. But my whole intent in putting a Hemi in this car was to eventually super charge it. Then the T5 would have to go bye bye for sure. Again causing more work. I'm still undecided at this point.

Originally Posted by cffisher

Well Welcome to CHR..First I have never built a car for myself wondering what the other guy is going to say. That said if a diesel turns you on why not. It sounds like you like to drive it , make it the way you want it. ENJOY

I never have either but I can't make a descion right now.

Originally Posted by 34_40

I doubt the M2 suspension will carry it but... build it like you want it! It would make me smile! But. I wouldn't want to listen to it... LOL...

Me either. But seeing how my suspension was hacked and butchered when it was installed, I already know it needs redone. I can beef it up how ever I need to.

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

there's no one right way-----but there are many zillions of wrong ways---

If the car your talking about is the one in your avator---nice looking piece--would definitely be classic with either a flat head or hemi---but a Cummins????that engine and trans will not only be too long, too heavy,, but you won't be able to spin your tires , the sound will get you snoobed/blackballed at every gathering (cummins is even sicker sound than the import fart cans)


Do some measurements and don't forget the accessories--you will also probably need to front half your frame with the dodge truck frame(probably would be the easiest way to do that swap anyway--also do some weight calculations----

Now if you were going to pull an RV trailer, maybe you could mount the 40 body on a late model mopar frame-----

This is exactly what I was waiting to hear. First of all, a cummins may sound sick to you, that's your deal. Secondly, won't spin the tires? LMAO! Apparently you have no clue. Let's add 6000lbs to most drag cars and see how fast they go. I've got customer trucks that run 11's and drive on the street without changing anything but tire pressure. I've measured and checked, it would fit. If I can fit one in a 68 corvette, I know I can put one in my 40.

A cummins weighs 1050 with all accessories. Some I won't need. A 354 Hemi with no bracketry is 750lbs. I'm only 300lbs more heavy. I was already planning on boxing the frame rails for the hemi any way. The really big things that will decide the fate of this car are: How much $$$ I have to get it going, and what kind of mileage it will end up with. Power Tour is going to be 2500 miles if I do the long haul. I highly doubt I can swing 8 nights of hotel and gas @11-14mpg. My wife hates the idea of the cummins because this car is the only gas powered vehicle I have. LOL

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Which would make you happier? Having great mileage, and saving some money... or the satisfaction of seeing that classic Hemi in there?

Your own satisfation with the car is what should guide you.

To me, this hobby is about having fun.... but it's your project

Your exactly right. I love to drive the car, but hate the mileage it gets and before it was a pooch. It's pretty bad when the coolest looking thing you have is also the slowest. LOL If I do go the cummins route and down the road I don't like it, I can always put the Hemi in. The only thing that I will have to change will be the engine mount locations. We'll see.