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Did a little work in the garage today, I removed the 327 out of the Speedster and replaced it with a 356. Here's a few pics:




The vibration dampener is bigger on a 356 that a 327, so I had to modify the front crossmember some. I could have used the stock '47 356 front engine mount, but it put the engine too high, and I want the center of gravity as low as I can get it, and the original '37 Six mount works well at doing it. The engine mount differences between the 356 and the smaller engines are interesting, as the 356 is a little bigger than the smaller engines. The bolts to the mount to the engine are larger, and the outer plate on the mount of course has bigger holes for the bolts. I got it to work though, by using the rubber mount insulators from the Six, and the outer plate from the 356. Here's the modified crossmember and the big-a$$ed 356 balancer:

Here's the passenger side of the engine:

Driver's side of the engine:

Now, the engine bolts right up to the '53 Clipper transmission, using the stock '47 356 bellhousing. The clutch disc of course is bigger on a 356, so to solve this I'll just use a Chevy 11" clutch disc to mate the Clipper trans to the 356 flywheel and pressure plate. No big deal there. I'm amazed that the size of the 356 flywheel, the thing must weigh 50lbs or more as thick as it is.

Another interesting thing is the size of the intake and exhaust ports, they're larger than the 327 by at least an 1/8". The crappy thing about this is, I'll have to grind some more on all the holes in my manifold plate! So tomorrow, that's what I've got planned to do. I do like how the engine fits in there, as it doesn't seem any higher in the chassis than the 327, even though it is taller. It just looks so good in there!

Why would there be? the rubber's at the top of that under the water pump.

eric i was sittin studyin yer pics of the 356 and i got to wonderin what kinda fan are you gonna use? mid 70's mopar flex fans are nice as they produce a ton of air at idle and reshape as you throttle up. less drag equals less lost horsepower.

Flex fan? No, I'll use the stock 356 fan.

Gerd, as for vibration, no, not a junkie. I prefer my engines as smooth as silk, which is one of the reasons why I wanted a 9 main engine. (that, and better durability)

Seeprewarcar.com/php/showvideo.php?id=74# for a demonstration.

And:prewarcar.com/php/showvideo.php?id=95

That's an almost as a ritualistic startup procedure as the famous Rumley Oil Pull, which I think has at least as many lubrication points as a Torsion Level Packards!

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Since we're on the subject of outrageous engines and the like, check out this 47L BMW powered "Speedster" called Brutus. Kinda puts my project to shame!

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And probably the finest European race car ever made, the Auto Union Type C V16:

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