Posted by Jerry in Idaho [172.71.151.101] on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 18:34:25 :
The short thread below re the possibility of a v-8 to be found in a Power Wagon made me begin to wonder why Ford was the only (as far as I know) manufacturer of a flathead v-8. Then I learned that Oldsmobile had an ohv v-8 in 1949. Interesting that Ardun had begun producing a set of aftermarket ohv conversion heads for the Ford v-8 in 1947.
Why did Dodge continue to use the flathead 6, notoriously low in hp until they were nearly through producing them? It all seems to boil down to the fact that the Chrysler engineers all believed that the best engine for the Power Wagon in the flathead 6. Why? Because the truck was built to work, and not to travel down the freeways with the rest of the high power vehicles out there.
If I were to undertake another PW project and happened across one with a v-8 conversion, I would decline to purchase because the first thing I would want to do is replace it with an original engine.
I hope I don't upset anyone by my opinion. I believe we are all entitled to do what we want with our trucks, even if it means putting a 428 Ford engine with a C-6 automatic in it. :) But it is intesting stuff to think about.
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