Thread: which engine?

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I have a 1953 Studebaker truck that I want to restore partially original with some custom work as well. I do have the original engine and it runs, but I want something with more power that I can make look really nice. I want to restore this truck to be a hotrod that I can cruise around with the wife and maybe the kids if they are good. I would like to stay with mopar if possible, but I don't know much about the different engines. So can anyone help me in desciding a good engine for my truck that I would be able to slightly modify and be able to put on some crome?

If you are concerned about resale value later, I'd go Chevy. More buyers will be interested.

You will hear people dispute this, but it is true.

Welcome Jeremy to CHR.

I agree- go with the Chevy, and yeah some may disagree, but for resale I'd want something easy to get parts for.

If I go Chevy, what is there to choose from? And what are the advantages of one over another. By the way, thanks for the welcome!

the 350 chevy there is still alot of them out there and they are cheap to build

Most go with the 350 block. With this you can go 383 on a rebuild or just bore the 350 out. If you want BB then look for a 454.
It all will depend on how you rebuild the engine, But the parts for a 350 are cheap and plentiful

Wow dude, there are MANY ways to go with that question, as for easy to find parts then 350 small block is very universal- if you want big power than get as big a Big Block as you can afford.
Just keep in mind the old saying that speed cost money, how fast do you want to go?

And your welcome.

yes a 454 would be nice if you can get it in ? if it was mine thats what it would have or a565 and tell every one it a 454 i never did that

Thanks for the info guys. I have alot of room to work with so I think big block might be the way to go for me. I also don't plan on racing it, but it should still have the balls when needed. Where can I get a 454? Do you think that a 454 is better than the 350?

350 for gas . mpg the BIG BLOCK 454 to rise hell and say fuk the gas . they are getting hard to find. ebay or look around

I will be the dissenter. Find a 318/360 and a 727 Torqueflite and keep it Mopar. Parts for 318/360 are readily available though somewhat more expensive than SBC. They are both good engines that you can reasonable gas mileage from.

NTFDAY, I agree a 318 is cheap and parts are all around. But the resale of a mopar engine is not that good in a HotRod unless its a Hemi, at least thats what I have found around here. Everyone wants a 350 in their rods, some people want to be like everyone else. No one wants to be different in the engines, except here, IMO.

Thanks for the input guys. I will be doing alot of research first before I put out on an investment like that. I might sell my 51 Desoto to get the money for an engine. If anyone knows of a company where they sell performance parts for engines, I would be gratefull.

The resale of my truck is important, but I don't think that I will ever sell it. It is my first project and my boys are helping me with it. We are learning together, like father son stuff. So I think it will have too much sentimental value for me to want to sell it.

joker51, I know what you mean, but at my age resale is not that important, just got to be different.

Jeremy C. www.SummitRacing.com is very good, IMHO, and their shipping is reasonable.