Hot Rods Engine options in a stock A

I’ve searched and surprised I didn’t find the answer in here.

31 Model A , stock A frame, stock firewall, stock hood. Do I have any other engine options other than a banger or flathead that will fit without cutting it up?

yes I know I can go 32 rails but I do not like the look of a lengthened hood or hoodless

 

V-6

 

Chevy II 4 cyl.

 

231" Iron Buick V-6

 

Some neat options. I’d like to stay pre-53

 

You say stock chassis but, are you boxing the rails/strengthening the frame? You'll have to be careful how much power you put between unmodified rails-I don't know what that is, but I bet someone here knows from experience how much is too much.

 

Yea I’ll box it. Stock as in wheelbase, hood fitment, no firewall mods. I have an A frame as well as a boxes 32 frame that is A wheelbase. Regardless I’d which I use the wheelbase is stock A and I want to run a full hood. Have a banger laying around and know of a flathead close but will need a full rebuild. So started thinking what else could fit and still be traditional pre-53…

 

How about a Chevy Blue Flame 6? Lots of speed parts about. '53 'vette

 

Nice but that thing is huge. It’s almost 4” longer than a sbc, it would need like a 7” recess. I’m the question was options that fit without cutting into the firewall or extending the wheelbase.

 

With your pre-53 desire, I guess the 2.5L Chevy S-10 banger like I have in my A Coupe is ruled out. Too bad. Room to spare.

Lynn

 

Willys Go Devil or Hurricane

 

What about a Ford Jubilee OHV tractor engine? Would they bolt up to the A trans?

 

Run what she come with..

 

If you're wanting a pre-53 and no cutting to fit, you're pretty much left with the original banger or a flathead. You could do something like putting an engine out of a Willys or a Jeep, but you really don't have many options.
r

 

Thank you, thats what I was assuming but wanted to
make sure I wasn’t missing a neat option

 

Stock sucks. Unless you wanna go 30mph top speed. Oh, and don't forget those sweet babbitt bearings!

 

Yeah, sorry, I didn't cross-check measurements. But, here's a link about ones that were done if you want to follow it up. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/model-a-with-inline-six.328095/

 

Got a buddy doing burnouts with Babbitt bearings and its holding up. Makes noise, pull a shim theory... But he hasnt yet and its taking the abuse with ease...Stock motors will cruise 45 to 50 all day, good stock will push 60 to 65 possibly, get a built one and the possibilities are endless.

Get an inserted built up A or B motor. You will love going from 35 hp to 100.. I'm cruising 65-70 in this now comfy with more to go.


Cam, Head, and Intake make the largest difference. Lightened flywheel, v8 clutch, and header help also... nothing like being a prewar hotrod with prewar power.

The flatty v8 is always another good choice... This car was built in the 50s hacked firewall and all, and we gave it a facelift. Motor still ran great once we resurrected it with a lapping of the valves and oiled the rings..



I've built both these cars in the span of a year. Few things about a v8 that I do love, few things about the banger I do love also... I may do another flatty v8 one day...

But a cammed banger motor loping is fun...

 

That's great for all involved, I'm not a fan, and nobody will change that. When your main cap bolts use a castle nut and copper pin, something just isn't right. If the design was good, they'd still build em that way. Stock sucks. 200 horsepower isn't horsepower

 

I’m bad on history, would a “pre-53” build be attributed to what? I think that was around the Korean War?
Regardless, what’s the intent, keeping all stock A and adding engine?

 

Hush now, go fix the noise in Ashley’s engine

 

Shit 80% of the cars owned on this forum are 30-200 hp...
I used to have your same mentality... I get where your coming from. And Ill agree to disagree with you easily.

 

Yeah I don't look at those cars, I've built 11 model A Ford's, but none stock. When I seen engine swap/ model A, I looked at the thread. My fault for peeking in.

 

Pinto!

 

SBC fits well with minor mods. They are small motors.

Oh I somehow did not catch the pre '53 deal. Sorry.

 

To get a good high performance engine from that era, you probably have to look offshore.

1950's Alfa Romeo Twin Cam, BMW M10, Fiat twin cam or Volvo B18 from the 60's, or any Offenhauser.

It'll take more cubic dollars to do it, but you'll have the only one on your block.

Cheap route would be the GM Iron Duke or Ford 2.3 from more recent decades, and try to dress it "old".

 

Horsepower to weight is important. 200 HP may not be much in a 4500 pound car but will move a 2250 pound car along pretty well. A 200 HP motorcycle probably requires a frequent change of underwear-if you're wearing any. We don't judge.

 

There is a brand new Model A block, crank and rods now on the market that looks completely original outside, but is fully pressurized, 5 bearing crank and 5 bearings cam, that can be built up as a very strong motor.

it is a good option for a traditional hot rod and fits in the confines of the model A . Look up the Terry Burtz motor on Fordbarn.

I am awaiting delivery of mine.

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265782

 

So, if I read the websites correctly, a Burtz engine will likely set you back $7K or so by the time you add cylinder head, exhaust, carb and intake,etc. Maybe more. A rebuilt Model A engine, if you have a good block and head is probably $4.5-5? A remanufactured 350 Chevy from Jasper is under $3 grand. What price tradition?

 

LOL! That is funny right there.

Ben