Good afternoon! Ive been a member here for a long time but Ended up putting my project on the back burner. Im bringing it home on a flatbed in two weeks to start the refresh. I?m looking at a heidts mustang 2 front end with disc Brake and coil overs with a power rack. I?m not sure which way I want to go for an engine and like to know everyone?s opinion? Should I go LS or personally I?m leaning towards a nice 400hp ish 350 With a TH400. As of now the car is original and once I started looking it there?s just so many cool products to buy. Do I leave the pedals coming up through the floor or get a hanging pedal assembly from speedway motors.
Personally I'd keep it 100% stock. That's a nice looking '53. It looks like feature car material.
CdnGMfan said
Oct 4, 2023
If it were mine and it was as nice, complete and stock as it appears to be, I would agree 100% with Todd.
Now if it were a salvage car near death's door I would suggest going with LS power. If I were in that position myself, I would now have a place to install my hot-rodded inline six that I have on a stand.
Greaser said
Oct 4, 2023
Canadian Poncho wrote:
Personally I'd keep it 100% stock. That's a nice looking '53. It looks like feature car material.
Such a beautiful car and you just don't see these 2 door hardtops around.
I too would leave it alone as is, with maybe spending some cash on rebuilding the original drive train and suspension(if it needs it)
-G
Turdmagnet said
Oct 4, 2023
I've been suffering from the same dilemma for many years. My 51 is in great shape and was all stock when I got it. Always "wanted" to drop an LS into but haven't pulled that trigger yet - still running the 239 flathead. I have updated the driveline and braking system so its more driveable on the highway though. "If that 6 ever blows (probably never will), then it gets the LS" - been saying that for about 13 years now !!!!
welldunn said
Oct 4, 2023
Thanks for your input guys. I too would like to keep it stock but I cant find anyone who knows about this to help. As far as I know the motor was rebuilt in the 80s , the guy who owned it used it in parades one day a year then parked it again. It was a rural car most of its life and took a good rock hit to the front crossmember At one point in its life. I got the car 15 years ago and was lucky to find a local guy that had one and I redid the front suspension 12 years ago as well as redid all brakes and exhaust. I struggle with it being reliable lol , I know that shouldnt be expected from an almost 70 year old car. You mentioned a hot Rodded in-line six Cam, what do I do to hot rod this bad boy?
-- Edited by welldunn on Wednesday 4th of October 2023 08:39:53 PM
CdnGMfan said
Oct 5, 2023
I don't think there was much offered for the old flathead six, but here are several interesting links:
wow nice car i left my 53 stock because its such a unicorn lol not much out there for 239 gadgets
SNR Pontiac said
Oct 10, 2023
I just picked up a 54 Pathfinder, was an all original car, paint, interior and in really good shape. The fella selling it had put in an S10 front end and dropped in a rebuilt 350 but never got it wired. Thats my winter project. I like the idea of disc brakes and power steering. These are a heavy car and being able to stop in modern traffic means a lot to me. My wife will be driving this car from time to time and I feel better knowing she can stop if she needs to!!
Cy Durdle said
January 28th
Hello
How are you making out with the work on your 53 hardtop.
Looks like a nice car. I have been looking for one of this model.
Good afternoon! Ive been a member here for a long time but Ended up putting my project on the back burner. Im bringing it home on a flatbed in two weeks to start the refresh. I?m looking at a heidts mustang 2 front end with disc Brake and coil overs with a power rack. I?m not sure which way I want to go for an engine and like to know everyone?s opinion? Should I go LS or personally I?m leaning towards a nice 400hp ish 350 With a TH400. As of now the car is original and once I started looking it there?s just so many cool products to buy. Do I leave the pedals coming up through the floor or get a hanging pedal assembly from speedway motors.
let me know what you think
Now if it were a salvage car near death's door I would suggest going with LS power. If I were in that position myself, I would now have a place to install my hot-rodded inline six that I have on a stand.
Such a beautiful car and you just don't see these 2 door hardtops around.
I too would leave it alone as is, with maybe spending some cash on rebuilding the original drive train and suspension(if it needs it)
-G
Thanks for your input guys. I too would like to keep it stock but I cant find anyone who knows about this to help. As far as I know the motor was rebuilt in the 80s , the guy who owned it used it in parades one day a year then parked it again. It was a rural car most of its life and took a good rock hit to the front crossmember At one point in its life. I got the car 15 years ago and was lucky to find a local guy that had one and I redid the front suspension 12 years ago as well as redid all brakes and exhaust. I struggle with it being reliable lol , I know that shouldnt be expected from an almost 70 year old car. You mentioned a hot Rodded in-line six Cam, what do I do to hot rod this bad boy?
-- Edited by welldunn on Wednesday 4th of October 2023 08:39:53 PM
www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pontiac-239-straight-six-flatheads.703694/
forums.aaca.org/topic/267599-pontiac-239-6-high-performance-build/
www.inliners.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php
Plus a well preserved 1950 stripped Pontiac:
www.hemmings.com/stories/article/worthwhile-austerity-1950-pontiac-chieftain-six
Hello
How are you making out with the work on your 53 hardtop.
Looks like a nice car. I have been looking for one of this model.
Can we keep in touch?
Cy Durdle - Pontiac Nut