One of the mysteries of the universe is why do so many classic car builders install a low tech Chevrolet engine in a beautifully restored Ford??? Ford engine technology is years ahead of GM and they have built more exotic engines than Chevrolet can count. They dominate off road, drag racing and hold the fastest recorded Nascar speed ever recorded. Is it stupidity?Or just monkey see...monkeydo?
2007-12-13 12:30:48 · 7 answers · asked by greaseball351 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Not a mystery at all. The main reason that Chevy engines were used in Ford cars of the 20's, 30's, 40's and early 50's is ease of installation. Prior to 1979 all Ford engines were front sump oil pans. In order to install a Ford engine in an early Ford, the #1 crossmember would need to be cut out and relocated to install a Ford engine, or a special oil pan needed to be fabricated. This drastically reduced the strength of the frame unless additional strengthening members were installed. This added weight and made it ugly. Small block Chevy engines weighed only 780 lbs fully dressed and were almost a direct drop in. At that time, they also produced more power per pound than a Ford and were readily available. Chevy was the first to use "modular design" even though it was not advertised as such. One could bolt any Chevy trans to any Chevy engine at the time so the swap was even more attractive. This could not be done with any Ford. Ford engine technology has only gotten better in the last 15 years.
2007-12-13 13:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by sh752 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's traditional more than anything else. Back in the 1950's and 1960's, (the good ol' days of hot rodding,) the small-block Chevy was the lightest and most compact V-8 available to the general public. There were plenty of them available, they were reliable and were easilly modified to produce an adequate amount of power and torque.
Most hot rodders don't really want an EXOTIC engine in their street rod. They want something that is reliable and inexpensive to buy, modify and maintain. The small block Chevy engine is still the best choice, and the most traditional engine for an early model street rod.
2007-12-13 13:23:17 · answer #2 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people just like to tinker.
Don't you realize that if it were not for Chevrolet engines being so anemic out of the box there would be no fun in building one up just to keep up with a stock Ford?
Yes Chevrolet engines weigh less and there is a reason for it, GM likes to fix things and if they build engines as well as Ford they would loose half of their income (fixing the broken bow ties).
I mean after all Ford put a flat head V-8 in cars in 1932, it took the GM boys till 195? to answer that one. Ford countered that move in 1962 (Windsor family 221).
Please leave the Bow Tie boys alone, we all know that they need help (especial in the power train department).
By the way Chevrolet still can't build a good rear end, that is why Ford lowered its offerings (just so they didn't look bad). Which is one of the reasons Chevrolet started making so many front wheel drive cars.
Gotta go there is a Shovalot that wants to race, I will let his V-8 eat my Ford 4cylinders dust.
2007-12-13 12:54:40 · answer #3 · answered by teamepler@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ease of setup, small package, parts are cheaper, lighter in weight. lots of custom parts available
I won't comment on the rest
2007-12-13 12:41:26 · answer #4 · answered by Robert F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah thats dumb, it's like putting a diamond in a gym sock.
2007-12-13 13:11:09 · answer #5 · answered by Garfield 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The more people do that, the cheaper it becomes and the more people do it.
2007-12-13 12:53:59 · answer #6 · answered by Bob H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
parts are very very cheap and abundant
2007-12-13 12:42:57 · answer #7 · answered by justin c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋