Thread: Ford 223 help

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No problem. I think it would be very cool. Z, let me help you out a little here. Normally, when you are constructing a car from scratch, the frame if the last thing you construct. In other words, you would put all the components in their proper place and then use tubing main rails and crossmembers to connect everything together. The reason you see all these guys building the frame first is that it has been done so many times with a small block Chevy that everybody knows how long the frame needs to be to place all the components properly.

In your case, you are planning to use a non-conventional motor and I think that is great. But, what you will have to do is gather all your components together and place them where they will be with the car running, then begin building the frame to tie all of it together. Sit the body in place and chock it up, sit the motor in place and chock it up. Be sure and use all the components on the front of the motor that you will need, like the water pump, pulleys, belts, shroud, viscous fan drive and radiator. I know this sounds like a task, but it is the way I would do it and trust me, I've done this a few times. You can use 2 x4's and other wood scraps to fashion the mounts to hold everything in place.

You'll want to take a look at some other T's to see how the headlights mount in relation to the front tires and radiator, so you will know where to mount the front axle. In other words, if the radiator and/or headlights end up forward of the axle, the car looks dorky. Look at some T's and you'll see what I mean.

When mocking up the motor, leave at least 4" clearance between the bottom of the oil pan and the ground.