Hello
A question that comes up to me by clients when working on their
old ride, is how much change can I make but still keep it "original"
So we know what "original means...
But my clients are asking to upgrade there alternator, the distributor
disc brakes etc:.. you probably have had the same questions asked...
Does it go back to the old saying, if they can't see it who cares or
like many of the Collector car group, some updates to braking and we
won't hit you for that..
Taking an FE engine and installing roller lifters, rockers etc: no one
will see it, so no one will care, and it really improves the engine..
But will that after market intake be a big No, NO

 

Me personally,, depends on level of original. and most certainly the car or truck in question..

Most I know like to see the ‘forgotten time capsule’ rare barn find, some like resto mod builds. Some even taking them to race levels.
But me, I get excited seeing them as close to stock as possible, of course, depending on the car and rarity. Nothing wrong with some improvements over OE, but what looses my interest quick, is all the Edelbrock add ons, anodized fittings, braided hoses etc, over chroming (or even at all if not OE) and what I hate the most,, all the product stickers plastered all over the engine bay, or anywhere else for that matter.. Resto mods tastefully done, pretty cool, but given the choice or excitement factor?,, I like to see’m as they rolled off the assembly line.. Although, hard to accomplish when OE is no longer available, and worse, with off shore aftermarket cheap replacement pieces as an only option easily seen as non OE.
Taking a mill that produced 200hp, and a build to double the HP, ok with me, more so if it’s contained within a stock block, vailed under stock, or as close to, top side components.
Seeing a GM engine sitting in a Ford chassis. Or vise versa, Zzzzz.
It happens, I get that. As a 14 year old kid, my sisters boy friend had an early Falcon with a built 427 Chevy and 4spd. First and only car I did a wheel stand in! Impressive, no doubt, and an oddity, but had it been a 427 Ford, and a more quality build, worthy of more praise in my book.
You have to appreciate some of the craftsmanship of the builds, innovation as well, but nothing looses my interest more than seeing an Edelbrock clad no go chrome queen...

My dream? Would be to go back into the 60-70’s with a suitcase full of cash to buy up my fill of classic muscle.. My 02.

 

So I guess it comes down to what the person wants
I don't mine doing the pertronix upgrade, but not a HEI on a car
same for the engine internals, do what you want, but leave the engine looking
stock... On the other hand I don't mine upgrading to disc brakes for the pure
safty reason
Of course I would not turn the work away if the owner wanted me to install those
after market parts, I would try maybe to talk him out of it, but then you need to
think of your pocket book, One thing I would never do is that chevy engine swap
An infamous man once said, tell a big enough lie, often enough and people will
believe it, and the "chevy" engine has never been superior to Ford...that I can see
Thanks for your opinion... What is funny, my 62 Ford wagon is a "Franken car"
351c engine, a 4R70w trans, 77 ranchero front spidles, and I almost installed
a 79 Lincoln rear axle, and I still might, in the future... it started out being a cheap
build so I used parts I had around. Originally it was a 352, 3sp O\D, manual brakes...
Best