Never have, but if I can put a '37 flathead in a '31 Model A without cutting the firewall or moving the radiator, I'm sure a W-block can be made to work in a '37-'39 Chevy! A ruler/tape measure and plenty of time to map it out is all you need. Firewall to radiator, I would think there was PLENTY of room since the OG engine was 6 cylinders long and the W is only 4 long. Just need to figure out positioning between the rails. If no others have done it (which I highly doubt), be the first!
A number of sites with a BBC in these and W motor should be same length You will need one of these https://www.srbymichael.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=8308/mode=prod/prd8308.htm
Here's a picture of a 39 that does not look like the firewall has been modified and the one below is one of my 39 that I built many years ago with a Dodge Hemi in it that didn't require any mods and as I recall the Hemi was a bit longer than the 409.
Since all the first generation SBC, BBC, and W motors can use the same mounts, there's no reason it wont work easily. A straight six is 2 cylinders longer and fits fine. When I put the SBC in my '39 coupe I set it as far back as the distributor would allow with a stock firewall, and used a short water pump. With the new aluminum radiator mounted in the old stock location I ended up putting a 1" spacer on the mechanical fan to get it closer to the radiator core. So a long water pump would have worked fine too.
Per my old namesake, I put a BBC into a 38 Chevy without cutting the firewall. I did move the radiator about 3-4 inches further forward for extra clearance up front. So a W engine should fit as well. I used one of those universal tube engine mount crossmembers. Picture showing it had approx 1/4 inch clearance in many places, but it all fit and I drove many thousands of miles.
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