Drive train for 27 Essex

Unknown

I'm new here and this is my first post.



I have a 27 Essex 4 dr sedan with 2-wheel brakes. It has no engine or transmission, but the body and fenders, bumpers, etc., are in first-class shape. I have had this car in dry storage for 37+ years while I worked on other projects.



I am very reluctant to restore this car to original because of the two-wheel external brakes. I live in very hilly territory, and I'd be scared stiff to take this one down the hill from my shop.



Right now, I'm leaning toward putting a relatively modern power train in the car and restoring the body, etc., to near-original. I'd like to end up with a real sleeper that is not at all obvious as a modified.



Bottom line? I would like to hear suggestions from one and all as to what I might use as an engine given the short engine bay. I do not want to use GM power, and would like to keep it a 6 cylinder as its radiator badge says, so I suppose the only choice is a V6.



Thanks in advance for any help.



Brian

Jon B

Watch out. One of our members uses his '28 Essex as a daily driver, so he may give you a tongue lashing for even thinking of modifying your drive train! Seriously though, there may be ways in which you can modify the brakes (and a few other things) yet keep the engine and transmission -- possibly by fitting a more modern rear end with a ratio that's more appropriate to 55-mile an hour driving (as opposed to 40 mph).

ESSX28-1

Some use Kevlar for their brake bands on the '27 Essex to good effect, a great improvement in the wet!!

Unknown

Hi Jon

Problem is I don't have an engine or transmission - just a very good "rest of the car"

faustmb

What about a Jet 202 six cylinder drivetrain? I don't know if it would be too long, but the twin H 202 is a peppy little motor, and it's a pressurized motor too I believe. Running Jets can be bought pretty cheaply...

Unknown

Great idea, Faust. I remember Jets - vaguely - when they were current, but I had forgotten they were reasonably small. The engine might just fit.

Geoff

The Jet motor is quite a bit longer than the original Essex motor, and would require an extra cross member for the rear engine mount, but this should not be a problem. Gear shifting could be something else though as you would have to come up with some sort of floor shift for the transmission. Willys Jeep top would bolt on. Clutch linkage should not be too much of a problem. I'm not a fan of modifiied cars at all, but if you don't have a drive train then this could be a solution. Otherwise, for a short engine, a small V6 would be a shoe-in. The brakes were actually quite good for rear wheel only, and as Dave says Kevlar linings make quite a difference, with no fade in the wet. But it depends on what you want to do with the car. I would definitely gear it up from the original 5.6:1 rear end ratio.