I SWEAR This Isn't Intentional.

Ian F said:

Cooter said:

A lot of normally good ideas that would be in my Top 10, but width and height restricts my choices quite a bit. I'm going to assess what I have first, and then see if I can fire it up next.  Engine swaps are further down the list for me at this point.  When I know what I can reuse, that will help me figure out what compromises I need to make for driveabilty. 

It sure does look like the engine compartment was designed to fit around a specific flat-head engine.

A Slant 6 might fit, but it'll be tight.  But on the plus side, it's quite possible an original design criteria for the Slant 6 was to make it fit into engine bays originally designed for the flat-head 6.  Looking at the picture above would support that theory, with the /6 valve cover shifted to the right and the intake & exhaust on the left.

The slant was designed to fit under the lower hood of the new Lancer it debuted in.  I can't think of a single Slant Six automotive application where width would be an issue; the LA V8 fits in all of them. 

It is far from a narrow engine. 

TurnerX19 said:

I think this project deserves a pushrod OHV head built to fit the original flathead block 

Unless I fell into that setup for a song, that's a lot of complexity for no upside, aside from the coolness factor. (Not that I have anything against that, of course)

I have a couple tricks up my sleeve, but I won't reveal them until I am sure this whole project is viable.  I won't even be able to look closely at this thing until I am off these 11 hour shifts.  And I just heard a rumor that we might be going to 16 hour shifts... 

Jeep 4.0 might fit if the intake/exhaust manifolds weren't on the driver side of the head.

That's a very good choice, and a good fit for the vibe and use of the van.  (If it fits, of course. 

I have something a bit off the wall in mind, not nearly as practical, and likely zero "WoW" factor for anyone besides myself and a few of my equally deranged friends. ( But, on the plus side, it will have a WTF Factor for most everyone else​​​​​.  

Or maybe just "WHY??"

Oh no, he's gonna put a snail on the flathead

Cooter said:

Ian F said:

Cooter said:

A lot of normally good ideas that would be in my Top 10, but width and height restricts my choices quite a bit. I'm going to assess what I have first, and then see if I can fire it up next.  Engine swaps are further down the list for me at this point.  When I know what I can reuse, that will help me figure out what compromises I need to make for driveabilty. 

It sure does look like the engine compartment was designed to fit around a specific flat-head engine.

A Slant 6 might fit, but it'll be tight.  But on the plus side, it's quite possible an original design criteria for the Slant 6 was to make it fit into engine bays originally designed for the flat-head 6.  Looking at the picture above would support that theory, with the /6 valve cover shifted to the right and the intake & exhaust on the left.

The slant was designed to fit under the lower hood of the new Lancer it debuted in.  I can't think of a single Slant Six automotive application where width would be an issue; the LA V8 fits in all of them. 

 

It is far from a narrow engine. 

Well, I did say "might".

Considering these are such rare trucks, there's a part of me that just says to keep the original engine if it can be saved. 

In reply to Ian F :

That's my starting point. 

First ever megasquirt flathead Chrysler 6?

I'm sure I'm years too late for that.