I'm pretty new to the whole forum world, so if I did something wrong, inform me.
I bought a 1940 120 back in February, with the 282 being a boat anchor. As a result, when a set of post war 8s came up for sale in Warren, with an overdrive trans as well, I jumped on it despite no idea of displacement. 500 bucks later, it turns out I now have a 356 with the r11 Overdriven 3spd, and an early 359 with a '53 thunderbolt 288 head on it, out of an automatic car.
The research I've done online suggests the 359 would have rediculous compression with that head (9.38:1), but I've also been told directly that it'd have lower compression than stock. How can I determine for sure?
Educate me on the motors. I've read that the 356 is a really great engine, but I've not read particularly why. From what I've read, the 359 really sounds like the penultimate flathead 8. I've also been told the 359 had some variations, this is no. 907 cast in 53 so I'd imagine it's of the earliest rendition.
Which setup would be the least resistance (cost/effort) to get the car on the road? I would like to eventually have the 359 with the Overdrive manual be the final combo, but I want to get it running and driving asap, perfecting everything can come later.
The 356 has a distributor and water pump, the 359 does not. 359 would need converted to manual. Am missing starters, carbs and fuel pumps for both. I have some carbs that I can probably make work though.
I'm not too stuck on originality, and have to rewire the car anyway so I'm still up in the air on 6 vs 12v. Are there affordable versions of the missing bits that I can get from another vehicle or even Napa that will work? Anything from the 282 that would fit?
Would it be worth putting the 288 head on the 356 if I go that route? Not too keen on the 6 something cr, would like to have some milage to work with, but I don't want to have to run race gas either lol.
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