converting 4 banger into a v8

[FrankWest]

What skill level is required to perform this task

[ActionYobbo]

About a 6 if you are not keeping the closed drive. A 7 if you keep the closed drive and do all the work yourself.

[Charlie Stephens]

Frank,

I am not sure I understand your question. Do you have a Model B engine (or maybe something else) and want to add 4 more cylinders or do you mean replacing your 4 cylinder engine with a flathead V8. What year is your vehicle?

Charlie Stephens

[Newc]

Model B 33/34 had a special drive shaft length. 32's a bit easier to change. Newc

[DavidG]

Charlie,


He has a '33 four.



There's not a lot of skill involved in such a conversion, but a fairly long list of parts that would have to be obtained ranging from the radiator in front to the rear axle assembly in the rear.


Why Actionyobbo believes that a simple rear axle swap is more difficult that a conversion to an open driveline is a mystery to me.

[FrankWest]

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I have been having so many problems with my engine lately. I considered swapping it out for a 1933 v8 which I built up years ago from original equipment. It has original trans attached and is running. It has all new distributor purchased from third generation. I also have v8 torque tube and axil. But you say I need a v8 rear too. I will see, if I can get my 4 running again, then I will cancel the swap.
Thanks for your help.

[DavidG]

No, just the driveshaft and torque tube need to be changed, but sometimes it is easier to find the whole rear axle assembly than just those two components.


'33 V8s are no less quirky than a '33 four.

[rockfla]

As DavidG stated, Radiator, engine and transmission, at minimum the torque tube and driveshaft, the whole exhaust system BUT you also have other items like choke and throttle rods, different engine tins IF you are going for "concourse" or AS Henry made it, then the speedo is different SO several other smaller detail items as well. IF you decide to do it I'd be interested in the 4cyl bits!!!!!

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by DavidG

No, just the driveshaft and torque tube need to be changed, but sometimes it is easier to find the whole rear axle assembly than just those two components.


'33 V8s are no less quirky than a '33 four.

tHANKS..
mY FIRST ACTION SHOULD BE TO GET A REPLACEMENT STARTER, THEN
sWITCH OUT MY EXISTING DISTRIBUTER WITH A REBUILDT ONE, MAYBE MY EXISTING DISTRIBUTER HAS JUST HAD IT.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

tHANKS..
mY FIRST ACTION SHOULD BE TO GET A REPLACEMENT STARTER, THEN
sWITCH OUT MY EXISTING DISTRIBUTER WITH A REBUILDT ONE, MAYBE MY EXISTING DISTRIBUTER HAS JUST HAD IT.

Good plan, not that I am any expert BUT I have talked to two different people who made "the switch", one was somewhat surprised at the effort and the other one (I bought some of his 4cyl parts) wishes, in the end, he had never made the switch. The later was a "As Henry built it" guy so correctness was his end goal.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Good plan, not that I am any expert BUT I have talked to two different people who made "the switch", one was somewhat surprised at the effort and the other one (I bought some of his 4cyl parts) wishes, in the end, he had never made the switch. The later was a "As Henry built it" guy so correctness was his end goal.

Thanks for your insights. It wiould be better to keep my car all original.
I just heard from a starter rebuilder that says they can rebuild my starter. Great.

[FrankWest]

It seems that model B stuff is somewhat difficult to find.
V8 stuff is very available
Model A stuff is extremely available.

Is the model B distributer the same as a Model A distributer?

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

It seems that model B stuff is somewhat difficult to find.
V8 stuff is very available
Model A stuff is extremely available.

Is the model B distributer the same as a Model A distributer?

No Sir. There is Model "B" stuff out there, just takes some "dedicated" looking and advertising here in the SWAP section of the Barn

[deuce lover]

Contact Renners Corner in MI.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=1d9c4...xNjI0OTE&ntb=1
They do or have parts for Model B distributors. 7 cores on EBAY and 2 complete rebuilt units.

[ActionYobbo]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Charlie,



Why Actionyobbo believes that a simple rear axle swap is more difficult that a conversion to an open driveline is a mystery to me.

I think I did a really good assessment based on the no information post. You have the advantage of knowing what model and year.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by rockfla

No Sir. There is Model "B" stuff out there, just takes some "dedicated" looking and advertising here in the SWAP section of the Barn

good to know, I would like to get my 4 banger running with the least amount of work. It was running great for the last 15 years. All of a sudden these problems crept in. Maybe a new distributer will do the trick after I get another starter installed. I was getting a spark when I touched the points with a screw driver, But without a screw driver no spark.

[FrankWest]

Just heard from mike Driskell at third generation auto, he says he has a model B starter 1933 taken off a showroom car. He will let me know Wednesday. not sure why they are dismantling a showroom car? I will ask him Wednesday

[Charlie Stephens]

My advice would be to leave it alone. I like original cars and that only gets stronger as I age. I am a “32” nut so there may be small errors in my details.

The following changes need to be made when replacing a 1933/34 Model B with a V8 (21 stud, others will require a few more things):

Of course engine, motor mounts
Muffler and exhaust system before muffler (same after)
Radiator
Radiator support rods (this is on a ‘32 but maybe also on a ’33)
Engine steady rods
Hubcaps
Transmission (gears interchange but cases are different)
Choke (B is a cable, V8 is a rod) (I am not sure about a ’33)
Accelerator linkage
Engine splash pans
Gas line needs to be routed from right on Model B to left on V8 (maybe, but this is correct for a ’32))
The B will have a few extra holes in the firewall pad from mounting the 4 cyl engine snubber
Need to add V8 emblem to hood (I think)
Need to accept the fact that the serial number (VIN) is for a 4 cylinder
The driveshaft and torque tube needs to be replaced as it is a different length between the 4 and 8.

Interesting to note the increase in value for the car is about the same as the cost of making the change

Charlie Stephens

[FrankWest]

Thanks Charlie for your sound advice.
Once I get the new starter then I can begin working with the distributer where I imagine the problem is. If I can't repair the distributer then I will replace it and I will have to retime the engine. The car never showed any signs of a slow death, so maybe something came loose in the distributer?

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

It seems that model B stuff is somewhat difficult to find.
V8 stuff is very available
Model A stuff is extremely available.

Is the model B distributer the same as a Model A distributer?

Entirely different. The model "B" distributer has automatic advance while the Model A depended on moving a lever next to the steering wheel.

Charlie Stephens