I'm also tinkering with some altered-stroke engines, using 216, 235, and 261 cubic inch blocks and 235 crankshafts, with some variations using the 216 block appraoching 260 cubic inches, and 261 engines that get close to 300. The 235's come in at about 270 or so. About the only original parts in most of those engines will be blocks, cylinder heads, and sheet metal.
I grew up around a shop in the 1950's where my father built 239 cubic inch flathead Ford engines into alcohol-fueled 300+ displacement engines with 11.25:1 compression ratios. Like Hank Williams Jr. says, "It's a Family Tradition!"
The above modifications require making some alterations to the engine that would be difficult, if not impossible to reverse at a later date. It might be a wiser idea to acquire a non-original engine to modify, if possible, and put the original one into long-term storage in case you wouild ever want to go back to the original configuration. A friend in Christchurch New Zealand wants me to do something similar to a 1925 Dodge truck his family bought new to deliver productsd from their winery. He has acquired enough parts to buuild a spare engine. The truck is in excellent "non-restored" condition, and it's used for parades, weddings, and the occasional appearance in movies. I really need to think about doing that, before I get too old and feeble to make the trip!
Jerry
