Build em or eventually lose em


[Follow Ups] [Post Followup] [Dodge Power Wagon Forum]


Posted by RDavis on Friday, June 07, 2002 at 11:22AM :

We talk alot about swaps. Some have and keep a "more is better" attitude. Some like 100% originality. Then you have the sworn to fun, brand loyalty to none mentality who would put anything in a PW.
We can't all be carbon copies, each wanting and liking exactly the same things but, we should all be dedicated to preserving not just the bodies but also the old flatheads.
Anyone can do a swap with the info and kit(s) out there but, who can really build a flathead for work and longevity? I have noticed that fewer and fewer shops build them and even the number of mechanics that have experience building them are deminishing fast.
If we become so wrapped up in doing swaps, eventually our flatheads will be hard to get parts for out of disuse. I don't usually see pre-40s cars being run so hard and fast up and down the roads so why do so many feel the need to run these old lowgeared trucks faster and harder than they were designed to do? My old PW doesn't have anything to prove to these newer trucks. It can do 48mph allday long and the newer trucks can relax and follow or go around if they want but, they know better than to mess with this old badass piece of iron.
My point is, if we don't use our brains and work together on developing new ways and products for increasing the performance and longevity of these flatheads, we will lose our parts sources through disuse. I believe there has been enough knowledge gained in the last 15yrs along with aftermarket parts to salvage and boost the hp and torque of the 230-251 to around 25%more.
Complete engine balancing from crank to flywheel to pressure-plate,better intake and exhaust manifold design, electronic swap for points&condenser,electric waterpump,electric fan could easily boost the 251 from 125net hp to 150-160+hp and that is as much or more than the slant 6 puts out stock.
If I was able and could afford to sponsor a contest, I would give a prize to whomever could build a flathead with the most hp gains and innovation ( while retaining durability and longevity)just to see folks get motivated and see all the possible wild ideas we could come up with.
Anyway ,its a fact that over the years certain parts get hard to come by strickly because no one has been buying them and eventually the manufacturer stops making them, lets not let that happen to our beloved PWs or those trusty old flatheads.



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