Engine choices for my 53
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 966
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From: Missouri
Engine choices for my 53
When I bought my 53 it already had a chevy 350. I am thinking about putting a ford back in it. I would really like to put a flat head in it since that was the original engine. But they are hard to find and there are not a whole lot of people who know how to work on them. What are the pros and cons on a flat head? What are some other good options?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
The only real problem you'll have (unless you find someone going the opposite way) is the flathead-specific and '53-specific bellhousing and clutch linkages. I'd guess your PO may have cut out some of the frame portions of the motor mounts that mate up to the bellhousing? If so, fuggedaboutit...
You'd need the BH and mounts, a new radiator, trans, driveshaft, .... You'd really have to want it.
You'd need the BH and mounts, a new radiator, trans, driveshaft, .... You'd really have to want it.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The 4.6L with AOD or the 5.0 Coyote. Really fun would be the Supercharged Snake Coyote (> 900 hp!) with a T56 6 speed!
AFA flathead, today it costs about the same to build a good flattie as to buy a crate motor. The guys in MI still have some new French blocks left. Nostalgia costs! Some of the negatives go away (low torque, low reving, gas mileage) if you put a T5 5 speed behind it, but then your wallet just took another hit, and you have to like driving stick.
There's a laundry list of other suitable engines from Ford from the 300 cu in 6 to the V10.
Personally I say stand up to the stick up their butts and drive the bowtie and enjoy it. Most of the critics are likely to not be driving anything but their mouths and/or imaginations anyways. F in F is getting to be the common way to go, so why not be different? I don't apologize to anyone for my engine, anyone who doesn't like it can build THEIR truck however they like it.
AFA flathead, today it costs about the same to build a good flattie as to buy a crate motor. The guys in MI still have some new French blocks left. Nostalgia costs! Some of the negatives go away (low torque, low reving, gas mileage) if you put a T5 5 speed behind it, but then your wallet just took another hit, and you have to like driving stick.
There's a laundry list of other suitable engines from Ford from the 300 cu in 6 to the V10.
Personally I say stand up to the stick up their butts and drive the bowtie and enjoy it. Most of the critics are likely to not be driving anything but their mouths and/or imaginations anyways. F in F is getting to be the common way to go, so why not be different? I don't apologize to anyone for my engine, anyone who doesn't like it can build THEIR truck however they like it.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
Likes: 398
From: W. Central FL.
Chevy builds a good engine. Why change it out? Probably be easier to find another stock truck with the flathead if you must have a flathead. I know, some folks just can't understand why anyone would put a Chevy in a Ford. Many of the same folks have no problem with any kind of a brand x front end or rear end under their truck, any number of foreign built replacement parts or a Toy steering setup. If I were going to drive the truck, I would leave the Chevy engine and enjoy it. IMHO, trucks are ugly with the hoods raised so keep it closed and only you will know what power it has. Now where is that fire suit?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
They are out there at reasonable prices: http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-51-52-53-1952-ford-flathead-ford-eab-engine-/121110787522?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c32c3f5c2&vxp=mtr
Says it was rebuilt and then sat, already has an alternator...
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Maybe I'm out of touch, but to me 1400. plus shipping for a stock 60 year old 85 HP engine of unknown condition (I've seen a lot of definitions of "just rebuilt", and only 1 out of maybe 1/2 dozen flathead blocks aren't cracked...) If it was just rebuilt, why was it let sit for several years? You can get a low mileage running mod motor and tranny for 1/2 that much, but if you got the money and just gotta have a flatmotor then it might be worth the flip of a coin. 
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 318
Likes: 10
From: Metro Detroit, MI
Have not really seen the idea tossed around much... what about a 6 cylinder option?
I got to see a really nice 289 setup in a ford truck recently
sounded excellent and with the parts he was running it had all the getup of a 350 with some upgrades... But cost is a factor and the smaller motors appear to be priced better.
Not to steal the thread, but is there a decently easy to install v6 swap out there, something with a carb perhaps?
Is the biggest difference in a modern motor swap the electrical connections? I would think a carb on a motor would be way easier to do the swap with, but maybe I am being fearful of something I should not be? There are a few modern engine swaps on the forum but appears to be much more of the older versions.
I got to see a really nice 289 setup in a ford truck recently
sounded excellent and with the parts he was running it had all the getup of a 350 with some upgrades... But cost is a factor and the smaller motors appear to be priced better.Not to steal the thread, but is there a decently easy to install v6 swap out there, something with a carb perhaps?
Is the biggest difference in a modern motor swap the electrical connections? I would think a carb on a motor would be way easier to do the swap with, but maybe I am being fearful of something I should not be? There are a few modern engine swaps on the forum but appears to be much more of the older versions.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
If your interested in straight sixes the 300 should be a decent motor. they are found in 80's,90's f250's and I believe f150's(not sure).
Anything you have to have machine work done will be an expensive rebuild. Anything you pull from a yard and it runs, you will have little to no clue how long it will last.
Its a give and take thing. More money up front, or more money in the long run.
If you want a reliable carbed motor,buy a crate. Even some of the reman short blocks come with small warranties.
Anything you have to have machine work done will be an expensive rebuild. Anything you pull from a yard and it runs, you will have little to no clue how long it will last.
Its a give and take thing. More money up front, or more money in the long run.
If you want a reliable carbed motor,buy a crate. Even some of the reman short blocks come with small warranties.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
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From: NM
Hey, that's a 100 HP buddy! 
I have to laugh at the notion that every $500 SBC or SBF on CL is going to be problem-free, have good compression, no valve seat recession, etc, etc. If it's a mod motor, might want to try to get the spark plugs out in one piece.
I have to laugh at the notion that every $500 SBC or SBF on CL is going to be problem-free, have good compression, no valve seat recession, etc, etc. If it's a mod motor, might want to try to get the spark plugs out in one piece.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
No, on the SBC, SBF, but if you buy one that is running at least you can hear it and measure it's compression/do a leakdown on it. In my experience, I pay for a used engine based on it likely needing rebuilding, if it doesn't (and I have been pretty lucky in that regard) I consider it a bonus gift. If one doesn't have enough experience to evaluate a used engine, then they would be much better served by buying a short or long block from a reliable rebuilder that gives a written warantee and has been in business long enough to stand behind it, or a remanufactured crate engine from someplace like Edelbrock etc.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 790
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From: Highland Village, TX
I really wanted a flathead in my 53, after all it is the last year for the flatheads. However, mine came with a burned up Ford 302 that would not hold compression. I ended up going with a rebuilt 351W purchased from a local engine rebuilding shop and traded in a 351W block I bought off CL. Then a $100 Ford AOD and $50 59 Ford 9" also from CL round out the driveline. In the end it was so much easier to fit the modern drivetrain in than try to source old replacement parts that I don't regret the decision. Still love the flatheads and have a War replacement block sitting on a engine stand in the garage. But I will put the flathead in a Model A Coupe someday. To keep the uniqueness of the 53 I am keeping the original steering wheel with the cool 50th anniversary horn button and the 53 grill with teeth.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: fargo ND, + OTR midwest
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM