Thread: GREAT NEWS! Chevy engine is coming out!

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The reason that Chev V8 engines have been so popular in hotrods over the years is not because they are better than Ford V8 engines, (although some would argue that). As J Robinson points out, its far more a matter of size. To run a stock Chev V8 in a model A with a stock length hood, you will need a 4" recess in the firewall. Ford engines are between 3 and 4" longer than a Chev engine, so either you have to stretch the frame and run a non stock length hood, or move the radiator shell foreward 3 or 4" and run a non stock length hood, or live with a 7" recess in your firewall, which puts your knees up around your ears!!! Ford has caught on to this failing in the last few years, and offer a bunch of super short water pumps and pulleys and front cover, but they coast well over $1000 to buy as "aftermarket" peices.
Another major issue with running Ford V8's, (at least in the past) was that Ford motors had a front sump oil pan, and the sump was exactly where the tie rod and possibly the drag link (if you had cross steering) wanted to be. This problem has been alleviated somewhat by the famous Bronco rear sump oil pan, but for many, many years, if you ran a Ford V8 you had to drop the tie rods to clear the oil pan. Chev has always had a rear sump oilpan, right from the factory. So----hotrodders being what they are, and not wanting to buy any more work than was absolutely necessary, adopted the chev V8 as their darling.---Brian

As Brian says there are short systems out there . This is one of the 94-95 Mustang 5.0 really help out on the 302 length they are also on the Explorer of the same years . There are V pulleys for this but again more cash but not real bad for the period look . They offer PS delete brkts also so you won't have to mod large ac-ps brkt.



Stock 84 water pump




94-95 short pump .

UT OH! I did'nt even think about that. That may be a problem for me.......

I'm going to talk to the guy that's doing to do it for me and get his input on this.

Crap! LOL!

most ford guys evevtualy come to there senses.( except it may be too late for you dave L.O.L.) ....ted

Originally Posted by ted dehaan

most ford guys evevtualy come to there senses.( except it may be too late for you dave L.O.L.) ....ted

Gee, sure am glad to see you rate me so special, Ted!!!! Believe it or not, I actually started out as a Ford guy, went to Mopars for about 10 years, then back to Fords. Now we run Fords on E-85---unless a new sponsor wants to give us more help then we're getting now.... Heck, for the right amount of money I'd run a Datsun on peanut oil!!!!! I can be bought, but I ain't no cheap date!!!!!!!

Such anguish. Brian said it right! For a long time that neat little engine grew on me but for a long time there was no way around the long water pump so gradually the SBC won me over. Ford-in-Ford seems right but everything Brian said is correct about the water pump and the pan. However, one other factor was when Camaros were running at 17 mpg the early Mustangs were running at 14 mpg; the Ford small blocks always seemed to need more gas and of course they run at higher rpm with less low rpm torque than the typical SBC. I even planned a Clevor as a neat engine but that water pump was still in the way! Today a 351W SBF would be pretty strong but you have to fit it in somehow. To refurbish my tarnished Ford credentials I note my last Ford was one of those little Rancheros with a 289 that was rebuilt by a NASCAR guy and it was a hoot! With only a warmed over 289 it was like driving a tin can with an engine in it so in a Model A it should be plenty good. Even so I like the way my SBC 350 just fits into the Model A engine bay, I have enough problems as it is but check with IC2 to find out he gets his Ford water pump to fit into the Model A.

Don Shillady
Retired SCientist/teen rodder

I've put big block Fords in A's, Deuces, and 33-34's. Takes a bit of fabricating, definitely not a 1-800-HOT-RODS build..... But I guess I never wanted one of them anyway!!!!!! Guess I've never been one of to go with the easier and cheaper setups.... Much more enjoyable for me to having something unique....If I have to fabricate 50% of the parts in house, and modify the other 50% to make them fit the application that's just fine with me.... Anything other then going to a show with another 350/350 and roaming the grounds to see which valve covers, intakes, and carbs all the other just-like-it cars have.... When I want easy and cheap, I just drive my Escort!!!!

PS--there's a number of companies making short water pumps for Windsor's, even have one in the SVT catalog back in 2004....

The Ford sb engine is only 2 inches longer then a chevy sb with the standard water pumps . This is a great chart for engine sizes on the most popular . A short water pump Youther will get you in the game of a Ford in a Ford. Even with the short water pumps there is only about a 1/2 inch difference between the chevy and the Ford and anyone could get that engine in with no firewall change . You just change up the electric cooling fan to a ultra thin type .


To me unless it's a Hemi it needs to be model specific only way to go . Yep its real easy to put a chevy in there but i like a challenge on my skill level . I cut the a/c - ps brkt up to get my air under the hood of my A . This pic is outdated since had it welded , but thinking of some more mods till i like it better . Even though i have this car for sale the design will pack under anyhood real soon .


http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html

Thanks for the input Bluestang. I went out and measured the spaces between the fan and fan pulleys and how much space was left from the back of the valve covers and the firewall.

On the front I have 1 inch between the fan and pulley.
On the back I have 4 inches between the firewall and the end of the valve cover.

Hopefully like you said with the short water pump and a thin electric fan I can squeeze it in there. Here are pics of the clearance

Seems there is ample room already , may have had a SBF in there before if you have that much space behind the engine or at least set up for one . Even may not need to change fan at all giving money savings there for something else . The man doing the change I hope will let you know how things will go .

When this starts and you get it back remember to get some pics up . I am sure I will get some ideas for myself and the future . IC2 and a few others where great in helping for my install .

You should have no problem with that firewall as it appears to already be about 4". My engine in my 'A' was a problem but that was due to a couple of situations - the TCI chassis already had the motor mounts welded in - an inch too far back, then my Brookville body came with the 3" recessed firewall rather then the 5" that I ordered. I have plenty of radiator to fan clearance even with a long water pump. With a short pump, the motor mounts in the correct location I could probably have not had any firewall problem.







I could have (and might yet!!) run a conventional fan just to clean things up

Good News/Bad News

Good News: Just got back from the garage. My guy says that it won't be a problem and that he can get the 302 in my car.

Bad News: Won't be able to start on it probably until October. Part of the reason is that he is also going to be doing our Mustang. We are switching it over from the orginal 6cyl to a 302 and upgrading the front and rear ends.

He also has two or three other projects going on too.

So I'll have to be patient and wait about 10 months, but oh well. Atleast I can be buying chrome parts for it til then.....LOL!

Yep plenty of time to make all the right choices . No haste makes no waste . Youther you will be able to really shop around and maybe even save some cash when you find a super deal . Those that pop up at the special time when you are waiting for them .

Since your changing engines and he is redoing frame will he repaint for you also . Maybe while engine is out you will have time to change something in the bay you may have wanted to do .

Also If you had a 67 or 8 i have V8 mounts sitting here I picked up for a six change LOL sounds funny . I do have a 65-6 NOS valance panel if you are interested for the front PM me if you are maybe we can swap something .

Heres something I have been thinking about on my own project,maybe it could help you an electric water pump or something else I have seen reference to a remote electric pump. I have seen these listed in the summit catalog their teck could tell you more about them. good luck with your project