Thread: how to fit a 235 I6 fit in a 28/29 Model A?

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A friend of mine has 2 '55 Chevy's ( 2dr post and a 2dr convert ) and a '29 Model A 5w coupe, right now he's finishing up his '55 convert, but he is collecting parts for his '29 Model A, he has the factory engine from the '55 Chevy 2dr post he is going to use ( '55 235 ), to be diffrent than others, and he has the motor. but his basic plans are 6" drop I beam, 9" ford in the rear w/ coil overs, says coil overs in the front also ( I don't know how that works??? ). he arleady ordered a aftermarket water pump that is 5" shorter than a stock 235 water pump ( company out of airazona makes them he said ) and he recived it, also ordered a custom flex plate and an adaptor to fit the 235 to a TH350 that he has. thing is, me having a 23 , I know there a long engine, has to be 35" or better, how would somthing like that fit, seems rather than getting a V8 resessed firewall, making a resess that is deep but narrow, would still allow a fair ammount of legroom. what else could be done?

I'm afraid that the allready tight floor space in the A is going to be all but gone,,,,, Might want to think about stretching the frame ahead of the firewall for room.... Being different is good, but why create so much extra work then only a pouchy 235? Guess I could see it if he was stuffing a V-10 in it or something....... There was some old rods that went fairly quick with the old 292 Jimmy's, but a 235????

He better have some tall front tires if he uses a 6" dropped front axle.

I don't think firewall clearance for the engine is a problem, but won't that push the bellhousing well back into the cabin?

It's not hard to use coil-overs on a tube axle. An I-beam might be a little tougher.

he's going to get the standard speed parts for the engine ( dual carb intake, fenton headders, smitty mufflers and echo can tips ) as well as work the motor over a little.

Henry, yes, he is afraid of pushing the bellhousing into the cabin, on youtube, there was a movie of a 216/235 in a Model A, just a video of it idiling, but I never payed any attention to how the motor fit, and now I can't find it, didn't appear too tight, but then again, I didn't see ither if the frame was lengthened or not, was hoodless

Originally Posted by Matt167

he's going to get the standard speed parts for the engine ( dual carb intake, fenton headders, smitty mufflers and echo can tips ) as well as work the motor over a little.

And after all that work and expense won't have as much power as the cheapest GM crate 350, and the resale market is almost nil........ Why bother?????

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

And after all that work and expense won't have as much power as the cheapest GM crate 350, and the resale market is almost nil........ Why bother?????

because everybody and there three little sisters ither has or knows specificly what a 350 Chevy motor is, and he has a couple GM 350's, but there going into his '55's. engine could have 200 HP depending on how it's built, that's enough to move a Model A around in traffic. he wants to do somthing he's never done b4, he's done work on a lot of 350's b4.

You can be rest assured that the I6 will take even more space than a 350. I have a SBF in my '31 and the firewall is back 5.5 inches with a Bitchin' bell cover to use up even more toe space. I had originally wanted a 5 speed but that idea had to be scrapped for a C4 and a modified brake pedal. But, with that said, it really sounds like a fun idea - with no belly button engine such as SBC, but would rather hear that the bigger GMC (270cid?) engine was to be used.

Originally Posted by Irelands child

You can be rest assured that the I6 will take even more space than a 350. I have a SBF in my '31 and the firewall is back 5.5 inches with a Bitchin' bell cover to use up even more toe space. I had originally wanted a 5 speed but that idea had to be scrapped for a C4 and a modified brake pedal. But, with that said, it really sounds like a fun idea - with no belly button engine such as SBC, but would rather hear that the bigger GMC (270cid?) engine was to be used.

270 and 302 GMC 6cyl's, Chevy had the 261 which is almost equivelant to the 270 GMC. I like the bigger 6's too, but he's got the 235.

Tell him as long as he doesn't mind losing the interior room or stretching the frame, should work fine.......

will do. what's the approxament usable length space in a stock model A engine compartment, stock flat firewall? figure I could help him out, I don't think he's ever had the body on the frame, and can not obtain this measurement, but also I figure I could measure my 235 and figure out what kind of resess is nessasary. My '51 Chevy has like a 5" resess, and it's got about 1" of clearence to the firewall.

If he wants something really different he could locate the radiator underneath, in the rear or use 2 narrow radiators, one on each side of the engine. A scoop or shroud with an electric fan regardless. With the radiator relocated the engine could be placed in front of an unaltered firewall. Then there's the coolness factor of being able to see the engine through the grill. Check the 235. Some of the earlier ones had oiling problems. I say go for it. Folks take a second look when they see an inline. Dare to be different

Originally Posted by 34Hupmobile

If he wants something really different he could locate the radiator underneath, in the rear or use 2 narrow radiators, one on each side of the engine. A scoop or shroud with an electric fan regardless. With the radiator relocated the engine could be placed in front of an unaltered firewall. Then there's the coolness factor of being able to see the engine through the grill. Check the 235. Some of the earlier ones had oiling problems. I say go for it. Folks take a second look when they see an inline. Dare to be different

pre '53 have oiling problems, they are babbit bearing, low preassure oiliers, that is what I have in my '51, but he has a '55 235 from his '55 2dr sdn, full preassure oiler, stock at 125 HP I think.