Chase392

For Sale: 1968 Coronet 500Originally a triple green 383-2b barrel, automatic with A/C, power steering, power disc brakes, 3-speaker dash. Original engine is gone. I have a complete '65 383 4-barrel motor that was supposedly removed from a running car. Original trans is locked up from sitting but included. 8 3/4 rear end with 742 case. TX title.Fenders and doors are in great shape, hood is rust free but a little warped from a carb fire. RT qtr is rust free but has does a have little filler in it (not bad), LT qtr is a little rust behind the rear wheel but I have an AMD patch for it. Little bit of rust under the back glass corners, trunk floor will need to be replaced, tail lamp panel and trunk lid are rusty but repairable. Passenger side floor plans are perfect, Driver's side has a couple of small holes but I have AMD panels that are included with car. Frame rails are good, although one spot on the LT rear rail flange will need repair.I was planning to install a Hemi and 4-speed and began purchasing parts. I have all new M&H harnesses with the exception of the dash harness. 18-spline Hemi 4-speed with new linkage from Brewers, new clutch linkage, new Hurst shifter, rods and two shift handles, one repop, one original. I have a 68' A/C Rally Dash and frame that will come with the car. I have decent woodgrain wheel that I will include. New correct Hemi oilpan and pickup. 2 sets of original dog dish hubcaps. New gaskets and seals and carb kit to freshen up the 383. I have a decent rear bumper core to replace the damaged original.The car is missing the windshield stainless and drip rail moldings but I have all other trim. Car is missing the rear seat bottom. Asking $6500 OBO Car is located just south of Houston, Tx.

Al, You are correct, the aero engine in Jay's Fiat is OVH, but it is shaft driven OHCs with exposed valvetrain.... very period IMO. A more modern OHV arrangement just won't do.... a big flatty or T-head fills the bill nicely... although the narrow 60 degree ALF or Seagrave V12s would probably not spoil the lines of the car.... If I could find or afford one of the massive ALF or Seagrave T-heads, that would actually be my first choice.....

I used to rub Vasoline on the top weatherstripping of my 3rd gen Camaro convertible... Replacement w'strips for the top were not available when I owned the car and Vasoline seemed to make them softer and more pliable. I have no idea what it does to rubber in the long run though.... I was given tip by a gentlemen who owned a T-top Hurst/Olds who couldn't find replacement w'strips for his car.

Bud, Part of my engine difficulties is that I have never seen any of the engines I am hunting for in person... I have to guess physical size based on pictures. My location makes a build of this sort particularly difficult as the scrappers came through my area with a vengeance about 15 years ago... there are simply no old "junkyards" left in the Houston area. Houston was much smaller in the 20's and 30's and much of the historic areas have simply been erased. The suburb I live in dates back to the 1890's but nothing from that time remains... no place for a derelict ALF or Seagrave to hide waiting for me to find it. Searching locally has mostly been a miss.... there was a gentleman selling a Hercules RXLD a few months ago that I missed. It was stuck but it was cheap. In the state I was able to locate one old firetruck for sale, a 1927 Seagrave Suburbanite that was probably too complete to chop up and IMO, overpriced. It had a smaller Continental engine and large truck style rear axle, and was still halfway across the state. 1000 ci isn't really a requirement... but it sure does roll off the tongue nicely I do pretty much have my heart set on a flathead though. My build inspiration is Jay Leno's 1917 Fiat Botafogo:

I think Leno may have a couple of their cars... they are definitely cool... but the car that really captures my imagination is his 1917 Fiat Botafogo. This car is the closest to what I have in mind with two glaring exceptions, I can't stand the cyclops headlamp or the shape of the tail. I love the stance, the proportions (minus the tail), its got just the right about of brass and wood, chain drive, etc.

Ahh T-heads, Truly magnificent monsters.... my first thought was to try and find a big ALF or Seagrave T-head, but I figured getting an engine just a bit newer would be easier.... I may have been wrong about that though

To an extent... I would totally agree with that statement. They are lousy hot rod motors... but the perfect engine for a vintage speedster. If get the chance to build the speedster floating around in my head, actual speed is of little concern... I have a brand new Challenger to go fast in. I want a mechanical monstrosity of steel, wood and brass belching fire out of the exhaust and shaking the ground as it goes by

edinmass, I'm the guy on the Speedster forum looking for an engine.... I'm hoping to snag one of the earlier side-valve 12s Hopefully you can put a deal together on this one.

Trimacar.... I will respectfully take that subtle jab and keep looking for other engines. The engine in Tyler is almost certainly one of the small P-A based 12s... and yes I may be complaining but I still think its overpriced. I don't expect to trip over one in a salvage yard and pay scrap price for a gem... but I'm also not going to pay out the nose just because. Running 906 motor for 3k: http://www.transmissionadapters.com/good used stuff.htm Rolls Royce Meteor ( a Tank "Merlin" ) for $5,750 http://www.ebay.com/itm/282091058916?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT There was a running, driving Seagrave firetruck 25 miles from me on Craigslist last month for $8,500.... had the same engine listed above for $7,500.... I'd link to it but the post has been deleted. Small LaFrance V12 in a fire truck.... likely won't meet its reserve, currently at 4k: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1956-American-LaFrance-800-Series-Pumper-DRIVES-PUMPS-GREAT-/381688408254?forcerrptr=true&hash=item58de66e8be:g:~1QAAOSwzJ5Xdctd&item=381688408254 The ALF above is the just one I found the fastest.... but there are at least half a dozen listed on the internet right now going unsold for 3 to 5k..... I'd prefer not to buy a firetruck just to rip out the engine and scrap the rest..... firetrucks are not my cup of tea but there are many enthusiasts out there that work hard to save them and restore them... IMO its kind of jerk move, but at the same time I'm not about to pay double for an engine just because somebody else already pulled it.... I am serious about my project.... serious enough to play the long game and wait for the right engine at a reasonable price.

Capngrog, That is one of the smaller Pierce Arrow derived Seagrave 12s.... the much larger "J" engine which was 906 ci is not a true flat-head, it is a side-valve with the rockers mounted vertically between the banks of cylinders. The 906 is easily spotted because it has 12 round plugs on the bottoms of the heads which allow removal of the valves. IIRC the distributor is also mounted on the front of the bigger engine, and I also believe that one of the sets of plugs is driven by magnetos vs. dual distributors on the later engines. I would be interested based on price.... but wary of trusting someone to ship. I saw someone else on the general forum is looking for the small Seagrave parts specifically...

Seagrave did build a 906 ci engine.... Its just not derived from the Pierce Arrow 12s..... its not a true flathead... it is side-valve engine with the rockers mounted vertically between the two banks of cylinders. Here is one running on the stand for 3k.... it was listed on Ebay several times and did not sell at this price.... the Waukesha OHV six has been relisted numerous times as well. http://www.transmissionadapters.com/good used stuff.htm

Depending on your location and budget, this might be helpful: http://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-thompson-m1928-new-made-display-smg-with-50-drum-magazine-gangster-style.html Although it may be prudent to paint the compensator on the end orange... If you are in the US, the company above sells original rear stocks and reproduction forward grips....

Hi guys, I'm trying to gather parts for a Speedster project and I trying to locate a suitable engine first... I'm really hoping to find a near 1000 cubic engine, either a firetruck V12 or a big flathead six. I'd definitely be interested in the 906" Seagrave V12, the LaFrance 754" Senior V12 or one of the larger Hercules sixes, the HXC or HXD. Looking for a complete assembled engine, doesn't have to run, would take the chance on a stuck one at the right price. Would really like to find something will dual ignition for the cool factor. I'm in Houston and would prefer to find something in weekend road trip range. Thanks in advance.

countrytravler, Thank you for posting the links.... I've been watching those engines on Ebay for some time.... and IMO they are wildly overpriced. Most of those Hercules engines are government surplus "spares" that have been sitting crated up for the last half century. All of them are stuck and good portion of them have been dropped... breaking parts off of the engine. The Hall Scott 1091 is cool... but I think it is too physically large, and OHV valve. Its tough to price these old engines.... but a running 906" Seagrave V12 was re-listed several times for between $2500 and $3000.... and failed to sell.

Thanks for the offers guys, But I'll pass at this time. I'm really looking for something much larger.... I want the ground to shake when I start the engine up

Thanks for the heads up... but I think a Packard V12 is gonna be out of my price range.... and I'm sure there is a Packard out there far more deserving of that motor than what I plan to build.

Hi Guys, I'm looking for a suitable engine to get a speedster project off the ground. I'm searching for 500+ cubic inch Flathead (or T-head) six cylinder, inline 8 or V12 engine. Not looking for anything exotic, something along the lines of an old industrial or fire truck engine. The closer to 1000ci the better, dual ignition is a plus. I'm pretty flexible on the type: American LaFrance, Seagrave, Hercules, Waukesha, etc, I'd consider them all. Doesn't have to run, would consider an engine that is stuck depending on condition, must be complete though. I'm close to Houston, Tx. and would prefer something in driving distance, but for the right engine I would work out shipping. Feel free to PM me as I check the forum often. Thank you for looking.