Shawn, it's your car,so do what you want, just make sure your replacement engine is "Pre" emissions laws if your in Ont. [didn't check your location] My 52, has a V8 & 5 spd. Tremec & I love it, "hoot" to drive & close to 400 HP But your going to have to change the complete rear end to "open" drive shaft, as the torque tube set up won't work!!! Mines sitting on a 84 Olds. Cutlass [ Monte Carlo etc.] chassis that I shortened then had to move frt. whl. openings a head to make it look right!!! Old engine & trans. is worth whatever you can get for it if you "find" a buyer!! Pete

I'd keep the 6. Find a split manifold and put on a dual exhaust with some glasspacks if you want to hop things up a bit.

Woot woot I love where this is headed... Ty

Here's a similar car with hopped up six, sounds great with duals and the dual carbs add some power.

Your torque tube diff has 4:10 gears in it if it has a standard transmission. There is not much for the flat head six but you can change the head to increase compression. Get a head from a 1954 automatic transmission car which will increase compression by 3/4 to 1 point. There is also a two barrel intske manifold available that was used in latter years. These two things with a homemade split exhaust manifold will increase hp by about 25hp. If you want to use the car on the highway you can also change the diff and get 3:70 gears from an automatic transmission car. I detailed and tuned a 1951 flathead six this summer and took it on a 75 mile ride at 60 mph and it cruised very good.The only non stock item I installed was a petronix electronic ignition. The easiest way to do a small block V8 conversion is to get a complete v8 powertrain from a 55-57 chev. There is a front engine adapter that was sold that would enable you to just about bolt the V8 powertrain in your car using the adapter and the factory rear side motor mounts. The diff will practially bolt in and the 55-57 driveshaft will be the correct length. As original cars seem to be more desirable these days I would just tune the engine and change the geras in the diff to a highway gear.

Al

I can understand wanting to change it to a more modern motor just from the standpoint of making thr car easier/more reliable to drive.I have the original six in mine as well and I get a bit nervous every time I take it more than an hour away from home.Not sure why as it has never left me stranded or given me reason to worry.Heck its been running since 1954 so it should be good for a few more miles.I have also seen the other extreme where a fellow in Kelowna has a clone to my car but under the hood is an 1100 hp twin turbe charged 383 stroker.At most shows people love that I am still running the original six,but when people are roaring past you at 140 on the highway sometimes you wish for a little more under the hood.I guess its all about personanal preference.There are lots of kits out there to convert to a 350 chevy and modern rear end.How about something more exotic maybe a nice Pontiac 400 or 455.

Sounds like the market is "dead" out your way too. I had my Catalina for sale for a "long" time with the same results as you, ended up trading it in at classic car dealer on the Avanti, otherwise it would still be "Fur Sail" Have to take some pics. of the 52 & change my avatar, have new computer & no new pictures on this one. pete