Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

How to install A flathead V8 into a Ford Model A?
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Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I would use an engine hoist

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Lots of things must be considered. If you could describe your project in more detail or ask some more specific questions, I'm sure you'd get appropriate answers. I'm also building an AV8 and would be glad to share what I know about it.

Regards

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

As Henry said,it depends on what you want to do. I also am building one. A good start to see what is involved is the Bishop Tardel book.

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Traditio...+bishop+tardel

I would be glad to answer any questions.

John

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I could spend an hour telling you everything I know, but with such a short request for info I don't feel inclined to.

Give more details of what you have, what you want to do, what you know and what you are unsure of.

The tardel/bishop is a great place to start.

There are some build threads on the hamb too.

Put some effort in and start looking.

Mart.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Please don't request emailed replies, other people might want the information and it provides the opportunity for a large group to evaluate the correctness of the information. Another reason to use posts is that people will assume you already have been sent the answer and it is not worth their time (and answering your question will take time) and not waste their time writing a reply.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Buy the Bishop Tardel book. That will get you started.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I have a 29 Roadster, I also have a good 37 motor. also I was going to use the A rear when the V8 finds its way in there. I was wondering if a guy could use Dennis Clings kit to use the A petals. the kit is made for putting a 39 trans in an A also I was thinking about fabing up a rear cross member.one thing I have to do is move the steering box forward. also I have to cut a little off the fire wall, there is a little section that the toe board sits on

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I wanted to use the kit for the 39 trans because I have juice brakes on my car

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps77c99ae4.jpg
I tried this on for size, I have to get it back about in inch, that is why I need to trim the fire wall!

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Excellent comment. This is a public forum for all the reasons you point out. Thank you

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Brendan, would a conversion to a 2 bolt crab dizzy help?

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Now, thats going to be fun!

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

no, I just tried to stick this in for fun, I had to do some work on the banger. I needed to get the hole thing back about 1 to 1 and a half inch. this is all stuff I have been thinking about the block was hitting the firewall about where the intake is sitting on top of the block, I would have to trim the firewall a little bit

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Too bad to mess up the fire wall - can you just switch the ignition to crab style or is clearance issue more than that?

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

The Tardel book is the best place to start.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

There are many things to determine engine location. steering box and header fit,firewall clearance,radiator clearance and wishbone distance if unsplit.
I ended up close to firewall. I am not using a stock fuel pump,so I am going to use an angled oil fill tube to clear.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

A little farther along., Header- steering box.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

are you running the A rear end?

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I saw one here locally that was unique in that the wishbones were split and engine dropped down lower in the frame so that it cleared the firewall. Years ago I had one and the firewall was cut to clear back of the engine and moved back. Stock steering did not get in the way. It had a 49-53 truck engine.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Brendan, I am running a 39 rear end. I set up the engine with wishbone and shortened the drive shaft and torque tube to fit.

John

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

The only flathead that I know of. That does not fit is the 8ba. But can make it fit with a 85a cam truck pumps and crab style distributer. If using a 32 k member. You can use 34 style wishbones. And not have to split them. Buy the Tardel book. It has all the info you need.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

8ba doesn't fit? Guess I should stop driving mine then!

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

You can make a 8ba fit. It's two inches longer than a 59a. I've seen them in tons of A's. But things were changed to the car or the engine to get them in.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I'm curious about this "85a cam truck pump" thing. DD

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

85a cam and truck water pumps.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

My first car (started building it when I was 12, am 65 now) was a 30 model A with a flathead and 39 trans. Stock steering and rear end, but I had to trim the firewall. Had a crab distributor a 33 radiator and never ran a fan. Drove it to high school. It also never overheated!

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Are you sure you don't mean 59A? I've never seen an 85A prefix. 81A yes for 1938 parts but no 85A.

The HAMB is the best place to enquire about big questions like this. The Bishop/Tardel book has a lot of information but is by no means all of the information. It's just a known traditional method that can be made to work if you follow that exact plan. There are way to many varialbles for a single post entry.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Yeah 59a sorry. Been a crappy morning. Some jack ass backed into my wife's car at the store this morning. And did not feel the need to stick around. Still mad about it.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Hi John. Your headers look famililar. We will be heading North on 57 and would love to stop and see you. I will give you date and time. It will be early May.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Using early pumps with seals in them, and a GM distributor you can convert the front of the 8BA to the short 59A, Space the generator out 1/4" for distributor clearance. Remove seal bushing from crankshaft and install early crank pulley.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

8ba in mine,38 trans,38 rear,did not cut firewall or move rad,it's tight but it all fits.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

LOL I was thinking the same thing.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

I built an 8BA for a friend a couple of mile from me, he did a great job installing it in a 29 roadster pickup, didn't cut firewall, truck water pumps, chevy dist, radiator in stock place with stock hood, he even squezzed an electric fan between the rad and engine. This is probably where the trick come in, T-5 trans and an adapter where the torque tube bolts to the rear end for an open drive shaft. Really a neat set up. Walt

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

And the OP disappeared.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Everyone must be e-mailing him the information like he requested in his original post.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

The only thing that's really in the way is the stock steering box. I tried with a two tooth A box, the column and rear corner of the head want the same space. You can move it (steering box) back along the chassis a bit, or move it out (looks horrible) or up on top of the chassis (looks horrible). But in the stock place, in my experience it don't fit.
Maybe the early 7 tooth box would clear? Anybody know?
I ask as I have a 7 tooth box for my A roadster project, but haven't got the space at the mo to put it together and see what's what.
Thanks,
Martin.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

F-1 box seems to be the most popular

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

The stock columns have the sector below the the column,the f1 the sector is above the column,making more room at corner of head,but it's still pretty tight. I had 15 hours of modifying to get the header to fit proper.

Re: Install a V8 Into a Model A
 

Hi all; Remember the old trick of reversing the firewall? Newc