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which engine?
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?
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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.
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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.
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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!
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the 350 chevy there is still alot of them out there and they are cheap to build
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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
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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.
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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 :whacked:i never did that :D
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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?
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.