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Hot Rods SBC in a stock '28-29 A engine space?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by MrMike, Dec 24, 2017.

  1. MrMike
    Joined: May 21, 2010
    Posts: 139

    MrMike
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    As the title asks will a small block Chevy fit in a stock A 28-29 engine space WITHOUT cutting the firewall or moving the grill shell? anyone done this and how? I know it will need the short water pump and points dist. cap any other trick? I do not have an engine here to try and do not trust published dimensions.
     
  2. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

    No. You can only lower the engine and move it forward so much before the lower pulley and the balancer hit the crossmember and the drag link. But if you are careful, you don't have to cut the firewall as much as most guys do. You can cut and rearrange the firewall, but you will still need a relief for the distributor.
     

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    Last edited: Dec 24, 2017
  3. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,397

    catdad49
    Member

    Some have reversed the firewall, but I don't know if this is an option. If you succeed, please share.
     
  4. MrMike
    Joined: May 21, 2010
    Posts: 139

    MrMike
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I knew this wasn't going to be easy!, Time to scrounge up a sbc and see what needs to be modified, is a zipps water pump riser with the 6cyl pump shorter?
     

  5. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,397

    catdad49
    Member

    This is mine with the zipps, it's about 5 1/2" from where it bolts onto the block to the front of the pulley. Hope this helps. IMG_1212.JPG
     
    lothiandon1940, Stogy and LOU WELLS like this.
  6. i've done three(3) 28-29 fords with a SBC and i cut the firewall on all of them....the lower part recessed 3"

    if you are recessing a firewall 1-2-3-4 inches is really all about the same amount of work
     
    LOU WELLS likes this.
  7. JimSibley
    Joined: Jan 21, 2004
    Posts: 3,848

    JimSibley
    Member

    How about a marine distributor re-locate?
     
  8. MrMike
    Joined: May 21, 2010
    Posts: 139

    MrMike
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    One of my reasons to not cut the firewall if possible, is foot and legroom, the space is already tight as many of you know.
     
    Hombre likes this.
  9. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

    not as tight as you think again if you just cut the firewall for what you need. Mine still has a stock toeboard in it. Lost zero foot/leg room. My stock short water pump is also 5 1/2 inches from block to pulley, the zips just raises the fan, it doesn't give you more room front to back.
     

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    Last edited: Dec 24, 2017
    scrap metal 48 and Hotrodmyk like this.
  10. I feel your pain as far as legroom goes. I'm 6 foot 5. It's a little tough getting in and out, but lots of room once I'm in. It requires careful planning. I have small seats and they are pushed right to the very back. The firewall is completely stock and I'm running a big block Oldsmobile. It can be done, just requires careful planning. 20160728_192149.jpg
     
  11. grumpy65
    Joined: Dec 19, 2017
    Posts: 920

    grumpy65

    @chopped51
    I know I am chiming in a bit late here.
    Any info/pics on how you managed to get that engine in without attacking the firewall.
     
  12. I countersunk the firewall 1" 20150523_134136.jpg
     
    norms30a likes this.
  13. Dirk35
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 2,067

    Dirk35
    Member

    If youre doing the work to box the frame rails, and put in the SBC motor mounts, recessing the firewall is pretty easy, and you can make it look pretty nice w/o a whole lot of work.

    Here is how I did the firewall recess on my Model A. I used 14 ga sheet metal and had my metal shop bend it into that shape on their brake.

    Ignore the crummy hack job to make holes for the steering column and master cylinder. Ive cut that mess out and replaced it (as you can see in the second picture). The car was originally a 80s built rod and it seems that they used whatever would make a hole in metal, to make their holes (Id guess tin snips and just hacked at it as best they could).

    1928 Model A Firewall.jpg 1928 Model A Firewall 2.jpg
     
    scrap metal 48 and catdad49 like this.
  14. Old post I know. I've help a friend with a '30 and it seems those (30/31) are easier. His we used the band for the original firewall, welded in flat sheet (instead of the firewall sticking out) and used the top corners to make the dist recess.

    But keeping the stock tank and running an F100 steering column......is it possible with a SBC, in a 28/29. I'm wavering on the current motor setup. Badshifter do you have pics of the drivers side engine bay.

    Also are you (@catdad49 and @badshifter) running the Hurst style motor plate or something similar.
     
  15. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,397

    catdad49
    Member

    Yes, on the Hurst mount.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  16. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

    I'm running a Hurst mount, f100 box, stock tank in my 29. It all works fine, no issues. I will find, or take a pic.
     
  17. Thanks.
     
  18. sdluck
    Joined: Sep 19, 2006
    Posts: 3,185

    sdluck
    Member

    we have a guy in our car club with a model a and he has a 4.3 liter v 6 fit very well.
     
  19. sdluck
    Joined: Sep 19, 2006
    Posts: 3,185

    sdluck
    Member

    I have a fiberglass body model a with a sbc unboxed frame turbo 350 ,I didn't build it,it is all apart for a rebuild,it had a hurst mount.
     
  20. ENUF 41
    Joined: Dec 24, 2016
    Posts: 205

    ENUF 41
    Member

    Yes it can be done, by pressing the hub on the water pump back toward the housing, and making a new pulley. Plus using a electric fan, and trimming the front cross member a little IMG_0017 (2).jpg
     
  21. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,397

    catdad49
    Member

    ^More, Please^
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  22. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Yes "more please". How does one go any further back than the flat crank pulley?
    [​IMG]
     
    scrap metal 48 likes this.
  23. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    Maybe, but who wants to run an electric fan...
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  24. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    The only way an electric fan works is by off setting it up. Now, as best as I wanted to keep an OEM fan, I had to accept using an aftermarket flex fan because the face of the fan is flat to the hub as compared to the stock fan. Every bit counts when finding room.
     
  25. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    I'd rather have a recess than an electric fan... There are fan blades that don't add any additional length to the pump snout....
     

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