Re: 356 & 359 info and choices.

Posted by Wat_Tyler On 2022/7/17 18:48:05

Welcome to things that Wat has wondered about, too. I did find a list of engines and transmissions and weights and now I can't. As I recall, the 356 with o/d trans tips the scales (I just wanted to say that) at 1040 pounds. Approximate weights I could find quickly for the 288/327 engines shave 100-150 pounds from that, likely differing if they are 5-main or 9-main blocks. I reckon that the 359 would be in the 940 pound range.


I'm not sure then, based on that, if weight much much of a factor in your choice. There was an auction a couple of months back with one car, a '41 or '42 120 ragtop with a 356 and an Edmonds manifold. Sold for $6500 IIRC. The manifold is probably worth 2K by itself. So, someone made one fit one time, at least.


If I were you - and I am well aware that I am not - I would probably do the 359. The geometry is a bit better for revving and you can likely bore it another sixteenth and get that much more displacement. My theory is that 5K revs can be gotten out of those 9-main blocks. I could be wrong.


If you decide to do 282s after all, I have two which I'd swap you for what you have and toss in some boot as well.


Ghat I'd really like to know is, what do you intend to do for transmissions? I'm wanting to try a 5-speed replacement in one.


Either way, or whichever way you want to go, I wish you the very best of luck with your project, and I'd love to read about it if you decide to blog about it.