Looking for any suggestions on installing a big block 406 FE in the '34 chassis. Motor mounts, firewall set back, any fitment issuses etc. Rolling Bones did the install on Judy's '32 sedan, but I have no info on the swap. Anyone ??? Thanks
Can't say I have done it, but shouldn't be any more difficult than any other engine swap. FE's are wide, so that may be the biggest dimensional hurdle. Check out the "Iron Orchid" for more inspiration.
If you look at the engine picture of the Iron Orchid, you can see there is at least 6 inches or room between the fan and radiator. You can do an FE with minimal firewall recess, they are not ridiculously long or wide. Remember to post lots of pics. -Abone.
Here is an engine dimension chart. The FE is only an inch or two bigger than a small block Chevvie. Common Engine Dimensions for the Engine Swapper (teambuick.com) -Abone.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1934-ford-highboy-roadster-sweet-irony/?galleryimageid=576 Modified (Sectioned & flattened) firewall for engine set back-vs- OEM. Love those headers & 2x4^^^^^^
Yeah both examples are super nice. I see that both run front engine mounts of some kind. Anybody have info on the front mounts? I have access to a nice running when pulled 390 and a pile of A parts I think all that mixed on a 32 frame would be great. The steering and exhaust would be so much easier with front mounts. I like the fe idea especially if you put it on an aluminum top end diet it gets lighter than a sbc
Get in with the Boat Guys. Lot's of FE's stuck into boats due to their light weight and performance. Many different front mounts were made over the years just for the boat crowd. That said, if you are a good fabricator, it wouldn't be too hard to come up with something that comes off the front of the motor.
There is also a cast iron front cover with a flat surface for mounting in medium truck/ FT applications, IIRC made for the 330MD that used some FE features. I have one in the shop, casting # is something like C7TE xxxx. Some boat stuff also has that feature, like the H&M part, but they usually go for big money
When I originally built my 35 Ford PU, I planned on using an FE (because I already had one built and ready to run). After recessing the firewall, and sitting the engine and tranny in, I realized that I wouldn't be able to use the stock hood sides without cutting into the louvered sides, or not using hood sides at all. So I scrapped the plan of using that engine and put a 302 SBF in it. I cannot tell you the actual difference in engine bay widths between a 34 car and a 35 Ford Pickup, but I didn't want to lose the stock hood side louvers, and I think that if you install a FE in a 34 car, this is something you should look into before getting too far into the build.
Thanks not a boat guy even though I am surrounded by water. Not a great fab guy but actually seeing stuff sure helps get the brain going. I just know that barrel of snakes for the the heck of it on the roadster couldn't have room for a normal mount.
I have a 406 in a Model A that I am building. It has regular location motor mounts that I found on Ebay. inexspensive headers that came from Ebay. You need a truck oil filter adapter, and the 4WD truck rear sump oil pan. I put the flat 32 firewall in my A and 4" of stretch in the front frame. I will get some pictures and post tomorrow.
A local car to me. Need to get some better photos next time however I was advised that it has an engine tube
Gene is spot on about finding an old 330 FT with the front mount. I replaced a blown 330 with a 390 for a local guy a few years ago in his F-600, and that was one of the pieces that had to be transferred over to the 390. The center drop exhaust manifolds got in the way of the typical car and light duty truck mounts. I completely forgot about the front mounts on those motors. You can sort of see the mount in this old magazine image from Ford.
34 chev, on a 34 ford chassis ,390 ford powered . Couldn't get exhaust inside the frame rails , ran remote filters as well ,but it seems thinking about it I did have the truck filter mount on it for awhile , They are a wide block !!
Pretty sure that front mounted 330 also used (and needed) straddle mounts on the bell housing, like most other front mounted engines, to control engine side movement. The other option with single front and rear mounts was side stabilizers, like early Y-block Fords.
I've been thinking about running a FE in a couple different projects. Try and find a 35-36 pickup/truck firewall. Use the lower section from a 35-36 Ford pickup firewall and graft it into the 33-34 firewall. I think this will gain you about 4" of clearance by doing this. I have several pic's of Judy's tudor from the Rolling Bones FB page that I have saved. From the pics I have it looks she's running a front mount with an oil filter adapter to move it along side the block. I don't think there is a mid mount on her car. She's also running cowl steering which saves a ton of room. Some of the pics are from a different car but you get the idea on how they build the front mounts. One thing you need to remember about running a FE in an early 30s Ford. The LH front of the engine gets really busy, really quick with the oil filter and fuel pump up there. What are you planning to run for steering?
Got any info on that engine build. If you didn't notice it has one of those kick ass intake adaptors so the intake on top is a 351 Cleveland bolted to the adaptor. Will do more googling about it but that is a spectacular engine. Thanks for the front mount pictures .
Ironford you have hit the mother load of photos for me. Just what I was looking for. Detail photos of Judy's sedan. I was thinking front motorplate with cowl steering giving me room for the headers. R.B's posted a photo series on F.B. of the motor plate build, but I could never find it again. Thanks To everyone for the ideas.
No worries, glad I could help! Here are few firewall pics. The Gold Hemi car uses a 35-36 pickup/truck firewall. The other picture is from Clarks 34 coupster build running a Y-block.
The Jalopy Journal
