Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1941 chevy deluxe 4 door, larry lyles, auto restorer

Question
Will the frame bend in this car if I put a 300+hp 327 in it? If so can you tell me or point me to a place I can get the information I need.

Answer
Hello Chris,

No, the frame won't bend per se but certainly will flex and twist due to the combined effects of the heavier 327 and the 2.5X more torque and horsepower the 327 makes as opposed to the old stovebolt.

The best place I can send you is to an experienced restorer in Texas who has written extensively on this subject. Reinforcing an old frame for modern power can be tricky but he has a full explanation and illustrations of how to do this in his book, "Project '46" where he does a full restomod on a '46 Ford, a car very similar to yours. Here's the contact information:

Larry Lyles
LPL Body Works, LLC
5815 Contented Lane
Amarillo, TX 79109
806-359-9783
LPLBodyWorks.com

If he asked where I heard of him, just tell him "Auto Restorer"

Good luck,

Bob