Engine quandary - 36hp or 1600 - advice needed

I posted recently about how to get my 36HP engine in my new oval started up. It's in unknown condition, and has been sitting for at least 15 years. Well, I pulled the plugs and discovered alot of oil fouling. I grabbed the crank pulley, and found about 1/8" endplay. Based on that, I'm sure a rebuild is in order. I didn't bother buying a battery, plugs, etc. I have a complete 1600 DP with a Weber progressive that was given to me by my uncle, pulled running well from a dune buggy. My project is low-budget, so I'm thinking about just converting over to 12V and running that engine, at least for now. I eventually plan on driving it to work occasionally if not often. So the questions:

  1. Convert to 12V and 1600?
  2. Save the 36hp for if/when I sell the car to someone who plans on a total restoration? Based on the codes it appears to be the original engine.

I'd rebuild and just drive the 36 if I could afford it, but It'd cost alot if I did it right. So far I have about $300 in the car, and need to keep it low. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Reply to
Rhino72
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Read my 6V/12V Conversion article.

1600 will be a really tight fit in there.

It will fit in 40HP cars by leaving the muffler off. Does anyone else know if it's even tighter in a 36HP bay?

Speedy Jim

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Reply to
Speedy Jim

The engine in my '56 is a DP, Gene Berg thing with dual carbs, stock muffler and headers.

Reply to
2

It slips right in, full muffler and all... You can even fit the late paper insert aircleaner...

J.

Reply to
Berg

Thanks for the answers. I guess the question of 1600 v. 36 is more philosophical - I'll probably need to come up with the answer myself.

The 1600 currently has a header and stinger exhaust - I think I'd go back to a stock exhaust system with heater boxes, which leads me to another question - how does heat work when you take a newer engine and put it into one of the old cars? Do I need an old-style fan shroud or anything else different, or do I just plumb it up to the heating inlets on the car?

Reply to
Rhino72

The inlets on the car are smaller but, yes, just "plumb it up". No change needed to the engine.

You may have to get "creative" with the heater cables...

Jim

Reply to
Speedy Jim

folks have put 6v flywheels and electrics on later engines in the past...may be easier than converting the entire car to 12v.... i have NO experience in converting the late engine to run 6v, but i do know the enine itself doesnt care if it's 6 or 12v...

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

That's right. And, if originality is important, it's worth considering.

He would need a 6V flywheel off a 40HP, not the 36HP. A 6V oil stand and genny and reg. 6V Coil, Choke, Carb solenoid (diasable the existing).

The engine may be difficult to start when cold out.

Jim

Reply to
Speedy Jim

At this point originality isn't a big factor. I'd like to do a complete original resto on the car but dont have the time, space or money at this point in my life. I don't want to do anything not easily reversed, though. What I'm thinking now is a 6V flywheel and a 12V conversion, and see how long the orig. 6V starter lasts on 12V, with me taking it easy. That would avoid the need to grind out the tranny to fit the 12V flywheel, and at least temporarily avoid the expense of another starter. The donor engine already has the 12V parts, so I'd be looking at bulbs/fuses/battery (which I need anyway) and windshield wiper motor mod or replacement.

Reply to
Rhino72

Jim...while you are at it, can you tell me what a "enine" is? LOL... i must have known a few days ago......

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

Ah. That would be the diminutive form of the better-known term: "engine". LOL

Jim

Reply to
Speedy Jim

Reply to
Rhino72

Perhaps Speedy Jim can help here - I thought it was pretty much Okay to run a 6V starter at 12V as long as a person didn't crank it for more than several seconds at a time.

Jim? Is this true?

Reply to
2

An 'enine' is an 'enGine' without the Geewhiz factor - in other words, stock. :)

Reply to
2

Yes. Many guys have run 6V starters on 12V for years.

One suggestion is to replace the solenoid with a 12V unit. That reduces current draw thru the ignition sw and also reduces the damage done to the flywheel teeth by the pinion slamming into them.

Jim

Reply to
Speedy Jim

Reply to
Rhino72

One more question: will any 40HP or above 6V flywheel work, or do I need a particular one? Do I just bolt it on, or are any modifications needed?

Thanks!

Speedy Jim wrote:

Reply to
Rhino72

AFAIK any 40HP will fit. You do need the 4-hole gasket between the crank and flywheel. And DO measure the crank endplay with the flywheel hand-tightened. Put the brand new oil seal in *after* setting the endplay.

Jim

Reply to
Speedy Jim

ahhhh....thanks Jim...it all makes sense now....what are we gonna name a fire breathing stroker engine?

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

thanks J....as i told Jim, that makes sense...hehe... what do you call your stroker...?

Reply to
Joey Tribiani

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