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Projects Ford model A's with nailhead engines...pics please

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by MR K., Oct 26, 2016.

  1. MR K.
    Joined: Aug 20, 2009
    Posts: 665

    MR K.
    Member

    Debating on installing a nailhead in my roadster. Any of you guys have pics of those who have done this. Will a hood still go on? ..if not I will just move the body back a bit so I dont need to cut the fire wall.

    Sent from my LGUS991 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  2. Mule Farmer
    Joined: Jun 1, 2005
    Posts: 1,508

    Mule Farmer
    Member
    from Holland MI

    I just got one today. On mine I think the wheel base is 3 inches longer. Doesn't have a hood but a stock one would be to short. I will post up some pics tomorrow if I can figure out how to do it again.
     
  3. Mule Farmer
    Joined: Jun 1, 2005
    Posts: 1,508

    Mule Farmer
    Member
    from Holland MI

  4. shortypu
    Joined: Dec 22, 2010
    Posts: 223

    shortypu
    Member

    Very cool looking truck,love those headers
     

  5. MR K.
    Joined: Aug 20, 2009
    Posts: 665

    MR K.
    Member

  6. ROCKER77
    Joined: Jun 30, 2008
    Posts: 515

    ROCKER77
    Member

    I have been debating the same thing, I scored a 322 and have been thinking about putting it in my RPU with a early v8 trans I have too...
     
  7. Lamb
    Joined: Jan 20, 2010
    Posts: 87

    Lamb
    Member

    has your roadster been channelled? I doubt you'd get a hood on if it has been. Also you'll have to recess the firewall a fair way to use a stock length hood. I moved the cowl back on mine and also recessed the firewall just to get the 322 in there.
     
    ROCKER77 likes this.
  8. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,419

    A Boner
    Member

    When building a roadster pick up, if you skip running a hood, or make a stretched hood, you can make the engine fit w/o cutting the firewall if you move the body back on the frame slightly. Not much leg room if the firewall is recessed much.
     
    ROCKER77 and loudbang like this.
  9. Canuck
    Joined: Jan 4, 2002
    Posts: 1,104

    Canuck
    Member

    30 Coupe set up to run a full stock hood. Firewall reversed and recessed for clearance.

    IMG_1650.JPG

    Canuck
     
  10. MR K.
    Joined: Aug 20, 2009
    Posts: 665

    MR K.
    Member

    this is great. Thanks guys!
     
  11. geoford41
    Joined: Jul 26, 2011
    Posts: 762

    geoford41
    Member
    from Delaware

    Is there an issue with the starter? I recall its on the drivers side correct? I believe I worked on a friends 30 A coupe with an Olds 394 that had an adapter to move the starter to Pass side, not 100% sure the Buick & olds share starter locations. Buick with those "export" finned covers looked soooo cool
    One of the "older" hot rod guys (I'm 69) from Denville NJ had a channeled 1934 PU with a 401 and 6 deuces with wild white headers that he raced at Island dragway, Buick motors are way cool
     
  12. The Bomber
    Joined: Dec 10, 2005
    Posts: 548

    The Bomber
    Member
    from mass.

    Hey Canuck, this is one of the nicest firewall mods for a nailhead that I have seen! How did you do it, shape it etc., ? Any more pics of the modification?Engine compartment looks great ! Thanks for any info.
     
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  13. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    I am a ford guy, but if I were to "stray" it would be for a nailhead buick...
     
    Travis latour likes this.
  14. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    Like he said above that’s a really nice installation but why is the engine so far back? There seems to be a lot of room between the fan and the radiator AND it has a fan spacer?


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  15. redoxide
    Joined: Jul 7, 2002
    Posts: 756

    redoxide
    Member

    me and my buddy, his being the nailhead powered hot rod on the right .. as if thats not obvious :)
    thumbnail (11).jpg thumbnail (10).jpg
     
  16. redoxide
    Joined: Jul 7, 2002
    Posts: 756

    redoxide
    Member

    PS clearance issue is easy to solve, build it on a 32 chassis :)
     
    belair likes this.
  17. Canuck
    Joined: Jan 4, 2002
    Posts: 1,104

    Canuck
    Member

    Spaced to allow installation of a fan shroud. In hindsight, it could have been a bit further forward.
     
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  18. Canuck
    Joined: Jan 4, 2002
    Posts: 1,104

    Canuck
    Member

    Firewall was reversed the cut out to clear engine. A spacer was made to move the insert back and still keep all the ribs lining up. The edges of the spacer were hammer formed along the front and rear edges to give a smooth round edge with about a 1" radius. The toe kick was custom formed and the legs going down to the body mounts. Just lots of time. On the inside a fiberglass piece was taken off the shape and spaced out about 3/4" to allow room for insulation. This was then sprayed with Raptor in case any of my klutzy friends used it as a foot rest. upload_2020-7-3_23-12-6.png
    Engine was offset about 1/2" to passenger side to clear steering box. Headers just clear on passenger side. If engine was any further forward, would have had to dimple the hood to clear headers.
     
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  19. not many photos showing the 401 in my A. The first three are construction shots from about 1966-67. The motor came from an alcohol funny car, and I converted the Hillborn to gas.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  20. The Bomber
    Joined: Dec 10, 2005
    Posts: 548

    The Bomber
    Member
    from mass.

    Cool ! Thanks
     
  21. fegsta
    Joined: May 17, 2020
    Posts: 343

    fegsta

    Love this. What make are the headers?. I have a 401, 322. What trans are you running? Sorry for all the what's but if you don't ask you don't get.

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  22. fegsta
    Joined: May 17, 2020
    Posts: 343

    fegsta

    I've got my eye on a 31 coupe body that somebody over here is selling. And I've been trying to do the maths to see if it's possible for me to do. This A is on a stretched chassis with a 331 hemi it was up for sale like this a turn key rod, but now its being parted out. I would put it on 32 rails with the 322 and 4 speed box, I would still have lots of parts to find and bye fly wheel clutch ect,so any thoughts would be good. I have just lost my job so time is not the problem. But don't want to go to far into my savings until I find work to take me to my retirement. The 401 is going in a brookville, (hope I didn't swear) 32 roadster. I have 2 sons and a daughter, and funny enough my daughter is keen on this hobby sport going to many shows and drag meets with me, so I would love to do the A for her.

    Sent from my KOB-L09 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  23. iafraser39
    Joined: Aug 2, 2009
    Posts: 186

    iafraser39
    Member
    from Warmland

    P1010002.JPG 20150923 037.JPG P1010001.JPG I have a buick 425 with a switch pitch 400 trans. The engine is set back about 3 inches,
    I run a full stock hood, so you can't see the engine. Its a fun car to drive and gets a lot
    of attention. Its really good on gas also. View attachment 4743027 View attachment 4743029 View attachment 4743029 View attachment 4743029 View attachment 4743029 View attachment 4743029 View attachment 4743033 View attachment 4743033 View attachment 4743033 View attachment 4743033 View attachment 4743033 View attachment 4743033
     
  24. Canuck
    Joined: Jan 4, 2002
    Posts: 1,104

    Canuck
    Member

    Headers are Sanderson Block Huggers, cleared except for a raised spot on engine on drivers side trimmed with zip wheel. Trans is a SP400. Engine and trans out of a 66 Riv.

    Check out the Wordpress Blog link in my posting for build details. May be some help.
     
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  25. fegsta
    Joined: May 17, 2020
    Posts: 343

    fegsta

    Cheers thanks a lot. I'll check it out.

    Sent from my KOB-L09 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  26. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    Those Nailheads just look so cool.
     
    fegsta likes this.
  27. The Bomber
    Joined: Dec 10, 2005
    Posts: 548

    The Bomber
    Member
    from mass.

    Thanks
     
  28. jhexide
    Joined: Feb 23, 2012
    Posts: 334

    jhexide
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    yes, i have a fresh rebuilt one
    401 cu in
    in the classifieds
     

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