8BA engine in a 1938 1 ton express pickup truck

[rkmiller]

I have a 1938 1 ton express pickup truck without an engine. I have read up extensively the posts on this forum to include this one on a 1938 1/2 ton pickup https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337607


My dilemma is that I have the 1 ton express with the larger truck frame and radiator.


A machine shop in KC, MO within a couple hours drive has a freshly rebuilt 8BA with truck water pumps, oil pan and cast iron 1/2 bell housing.


I have read extensively all the postings I can find here, but I am not sure what issues there would be with a 1938 1 ton. Being a larger truck with a different frame and radiator vs the cars and 1/2 ton pickups that have been extensively discussed here before.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

[51504bat]

Can't say for sure about a '38 but I had a '40 1 1/2 ton with an 8ba. No fitment issues what so ever.

[rkmiller]

Did you have any issues with the fan on an 8BA motor sticking out further interfering with the radiator?

My other thought was to go with the generator mounted fan but there might be an issue with the coolant hoses coming down to the front of the heads on an 8BA vs going to the middle of the head in the original style earlier heads.

Thanks!

[ActionYobbo]

It will bolt right up. Needs the generator mounted fan. My hoses go to the center of the heads don’t know if the fan will clear front hoses. You can always get longer hoses and put more of a curve to clear the fan.

[rkmiller]

Thanks for the quick response! I am probably going to find out how it will go on a 1 ton as the price is decent and the builder reputable.


There are not many people doing work on 1 ton and up trucks so just have not found much today when asking around.


Thanks!

[ndnchf]

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When you decide on a generator, let me know. I restore them and have several available, with and without fan mount pulley.

Steve

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

When you decide on a generator, let me know. I restore them and have several available, with and without fan mount pulley.

Steve

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by rkmiller

Did you have any issues with the fan on an 8BA motor sticking out further interfering with the radiator?

My other thought was to go with the generator mounted fan but there might be an issue with the coolant hoses coming down to the front of the heads on an 8BA vs going to the middle of the head in the original style earlier heads.

Thanks!

Used a GM 1 wire alternator. Stock 8ba fan cleared fine.

[1952henry]

That is some nice work on the generator!

[rkmiller]

That generator does look good. I am going through all the stuff when I go down to my dad's in a couple weeks. Seems I saw a generator so I may be contacting you for a rebuild.

[ndnchf]

Originally Posted by rkmiller

That generator does look good. I am going through all the stuff when I go down to my dad's in a couple weeks. Seems I saw a generator so I may be contacting you for a rebuild.

Glad to help if I can. Keep in mind that an 8BA takes a different generator (2-brush strap mount) compared to a 1938 engine which would use a 3-brush fork mount generator. To put a fan mount pulley type generator on an 8BA would require some special work with the right combination of parts.

[rkmiller]

I sent you a pm

[GB SISSON]

My first flathead v8 was in a 38 one ton express about 35 years ago. I ended up putting a 59ab in it, but know an 8ba is fine too. I later bought a '37 1 1/2 ton with an 8ba, and a '32 1 1/2 ton, also with an 8ba (just don't try to replace the fan belt) ,then a 47 2 ton that I installed an 8ba in. No fitment issues whatsoever. Since then it's been all kinds of 122" ford tonners, but primarily of the jailbar era ,'42-'47. Last winter I built a 276" 8ba and installed it in a '47 half ton pickup. Truck pumps and a one wire on a slingshot bracket. You will love that fresh 8ba. Grab it before someone else does. And we need some pics of that tonner express.

Here's a link to a video showing the 8ba powered '47 2 ton with no front sheet metal so details might be made out. There's other one ton fords and my 8ba powered '37 on my channel, so scroll around on it. My trucks are undoubtedly of the 'homespun' variety, but if you look past the dust and dents you'll see a lot of what you are asking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsm-...ZpcnN0IGRyaXZl

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

My first flathead v8 was in a 38 one ton express about 35 years ago. I ended up putting a 59ab in it, but know an 8ba is fine too. I later bought a '37 1 1/2 ton with an 8ba, and a '32 1 1/2 ton, also with an 8ba (just don't try to replace the fan belt) ,then a 47 2 ton that I installed an 8ba in. No fitment issues whatsoever. Since then it's been all kinds of 122" ford tonners, but primarily of the jailbar era ,'42-'47. Last winter I built a 276" 8ba and installed it in a '47 half ton pickup. Truck pumps and a one wire on a slingshot bracket. You will love that fresh 8ba. Grab it before someone else does. And we need some pics of that tonner express.

Here's a link to a video showing the 8ba powered '47 2 ton with no front sheet metal so details might be made out. There's other one ton fords and my 8ba powered '37 on my channel, so scroll around on it. My trucks are undoubtedly of the 'homespun' variety, but if you look past the dust and dents you'll see a lot of what you are asking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsm-...ZpcnN0IGRyaXZl

[rkmiller]

Awesome. I have been reading your past posts on here for a few weeks.
I bought the engine yesterday. It sounded really good and purred like a kitten.
It has all the &BA stuff on it ready to drop I. So I am trying to figure out fitting issues if I can.

[rkmiller]

OK I was trying to post some photos but it has been a while. I was able to get a thumbnail on here.


The truck was taken apart by my cousin in 1992, then my dad moved it out of the machinery shed into another building. Then stuff has been stacked on top. Going to dig it out and get a better look at things and move it to my place. Will get more photos.


Its been in the family since it was new.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by rkmiller

OK I was trying to post some photos but it has been a while. I was able to get a thumbnail on here.


The truck was taken apart by my cousin in 1992, then my dad moved it out of the machinery shed into another building. Then stuff has been stacked on top. Going to dig it out and get a better look at things and move it to my place. Will get more photos.


Its been in the family since it was new.

[rkmiller]

Here is the engine running.


http://youtube.com/shorts/2T50B7LWlu...G8h-1r7kHVVTI2

[mercjoe]

Can you convert them to alternators internally ?

Originally Posted by ndnchf

When you decide on a generator, let me know. I restore them and have several available, with and without fan mount pulley.

Steve

[ndnchf]

Originally Posted by mercjoe

Can you convert them to alternators internally ?

Sorry, but no.