Hot Rods Who's put a Dodge Red Ram in a '28 Model A?

I need to know if it is possible to fit a Red Ram, 241 or 270, into a '28 model a Ford without cutting the firewall or moving the radiator forward too far.
I have a flathead with a '39 trans now and want to keep the trans and use an adapter.
I've searched the Hamb and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Plenty of Hemi's in Model A's but all recessed firewalls

 

Hi Mid

I think that little hemi is a bit shorter than its big brother, so it just might slip right in

Be interesting to see the info you get here on the HAMB

G Don

 

I've found overall length measurement on the net for most of the Hemis and the Red Ram is a couple of inches shorter, plus I think a SBC waterpump saves a bit as well.

 

This (241 Red Ram)was in My T on an a frame before I got it.Has stock radiator and shell in original position. Will measure the length and report back. JW

 

Radiator to firewall is 32 inches. JW

 

Here is a pic of my old 27 rpu with a desoto which has larger valve covers than a dodge but I don't know if the water pump setup is the same lenght as a dodge but I got it in between the firewall and rad which was in the stock position, however I did have to put a cup in the firewall to clear the distributor.

 

Thanks for your pictures. I should have given more info about my car. It has a stock A chassis, stock front cross member and a '32 style K member locating the '39 trans. The firewall is stock and the roadster body is in stock position. All measurements came from the Bishop Tardell Av8 book. Looking at those two T's it seems to fit OK, but I'd like to see pics of something like my Model A.

 

Overall length of the Red Ram Dodge motor is the same as a small block chevy, width is wider, weight is only a 15-20 lbs. more. Recessed firewalls are usually necessary with the chevy so it's probably go to need one for the Dodge. I just swapped a Red Ram for a SBC but it isn't in a Model A. It went into the same space.

 

I believe the recessing of the firewall is on the 30-31 models. JW

 

The Dodge is at least an inch shorter than a SBC. I have one in my 32 with stock firewall and radiator. They will fit anywhere a flathead will fit. The valve covers will keep you from running hood sides.
I am running a stock water pump and a flat flex fan.

 

The low deck Dodge is about 28.5 inches from the bellhousing flange to the front of the water pump stock or with a sbc long pump. It is 1 inch narrower than a sbc with exhaust manfolds.

 

I had a 241 Red Ram in my first hot rod in high school. As I remember the firewall was recessed . This is stretching my memory about 50 years!

 

Hey Andy

Those are pretty slick Rocker Covers you have on your mini hemi

G Don

 

I believe the Red Ram is shorter than the SMC with Dodge water pump

 

Here is one in a 29 HiBoy roadster with 32 rails. However the 32 has about a 3" longer wheelbase. Mounted the engine about as far forward as possible with a little more than 1" fan to radiator clearance.. I just had to trim the floor board mounting flange to clear the bellhousing. I also used a SBC short waterpump to shorten the engine. If you need any measurements shout.

 

I see nobody has posted here telling me they have done the swap how I wanted to do it. This tells me it probably isn't possible. I measured the engine bay and just going by the 28.5 inch Red Ram length it won't fit. I thought of a '32 chassis because it does have 3" more wheelbase which solves the problem. I should even be able to use a Chrysler hemi, 331, 354 or 392 , which are easier to find in Australia.

 

Do you know the radiator to firewall measurement for a 28-29 A on an A frame? JW

 

I'm not where the car is but looking at the Wescotts frame diagram the distance from the radiator mount holes to the front body mount holes is 31 5/8 inches. the radiator is about 3" thick so you lose 1.5 inches there and the distance from the body hole to the front of the firewall is another inch so there is only about 29 inches left. It might be enough if a Chevrolet water pump saves another inch.

 

It's more complicated than that. I gather he already has a 39 gearbox mounted to a 32 K member. That will dictate the space available forward of it, also needing to factor in engine/box adaptor too.

Apart from the length gearbox face to fan, there is also the bellhousing etc. diameter to factor in.

Why so anal about the firewall? If it's close, something has to give and the firewall would be easy, it might not take much. If it's way out of size, well, come up with a new plan.

 

I know it's complicated, that's why I asked the question. The rest of the car is already built but Av8's with flatheads are getting too common.
Would you chop up a mint firewall?

 

'28-'29=28" '30-'31=30" Hope this helps.

 

Hey, I'm just trying to help folks get a clear idea of your situation!

 

It does. Tells me exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks.

 

That's all im trying to do also X38 and im not being ANAL about it. JW

 

I know the Dodge water pump is shorter on my 241 Dodge. Plus the Dodge engine motor mount is on the water pump.

 

The Dodge water pump is 7 inches a short sbc 5 5/8 - long 7" plus 3/4" for adapter

 

Here's an "A" truck with a Redram:

 

If you go to Hemi Tech TR Waters put up a nice drawing of a Dodge hemi dimensions/\.

 

Thanks, this is the information I am looking for.
Does an AA truck have the same length engine bay as a car?

 

I'm just picking up on this tread... Am I reading that a small block chev. water pump will bolt on to the 270 HEMI. I thought it would just adapt to the Chrysler or Desoto... Any special notes to make it fit ????