Fitting a V8 in an A

[DennisR]

Briefly, if possible, what is involved in fitting a flathead in a 1930 coupe?

[flatford39]

59's are a lot easier than 8BA's (ask me how I know) but you are going to have to make your own motor mounts for the front (pretty easy) and I used a transmission cross member from an F-1 pick up to support the transmission and then if you use a 37 39 transmission with it and the 37 39 rear end you have some fitment details there that are going to require welding skills. I don't recommend the A rear axle. You will be constantly shearing the axle keys. Then you need to modify your radiator re wire, hydraulic brakes etc etc. Get Vern Tardells book on the subject. it shows you step by step although there are some mistakes in it.

I am in the process of doing it and it is a big project in my mind. It is not a bolt in. Would I do it again. Absolutely.

[48fordnut]

Good advice from39. The book is good, but lots of mistakes. Look on the HAMB and there are many pics and advice.

[DennisR]

Originally Posted by flatford39

59's are a lot easier than 8BA's (ask me how I know) but you are going to have to make your own motor mounts for the front (pretty easy) and I used a transmission cross member from an F-1 pick up to support the transmission and then if you use a 37 39 transmission with it and the 37 39 rear end you have some fitment details there that are going to require welding skills. I don't recommend the A rear axle. You will be constantly shearing the axle keys. Then you need to modify your radiator re wire, hydraulic brakes etc etc. Get Vern Tardells book on the subject. it shows you step by step although there are some mistakes in it.

I am in the process of doing it and it is a big project in my mind. It is not a bolt in. Would I do it again. Absolutely.

Appreciate you taking the time to reply, been refurbing my coupe and keep getting ?`s on why don`t you fit a V8, it`s easy, just drops in etc., TBH I didn`t have a clue, wasn`t that interested I like it as it is, now I can answer them with confidence.
Having said that I wouldn`t mind a little deuce coupe but over they are quite rare in standard form they`ve all been "got at"
Thanks again, Dennis

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by DennisR

Appreciate you taking the time to reply, been refurbing my coupe and keep getting ?`s on why don`t you fit a V8, it`s easy, just drops in etc., TBH I didn`t have a clue, wasn`t that interested I like it as it is, now I can answer them with confidence.
Having said that I wouldn`t mind a little deuce coupe but over they are quite rare in standard form they`ve all been "got at"
Thanks again, Dennis

Tell them you like it like it is and it would cost $XXX just to rebuild the flathead before you installed it.

Charlie Stephens

[TonyM]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Souping up a 4 Banger is another time-honored tradition. Lots of stuff available.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by flatford39

59's are a lot easier than 8BA's (ask me how I know) but you are going to have to make your own motor mounts for the front (pretty easy) and I used a transmission cross member from an F-1 pick up to support the transmission and then if you use a 37 39 transmission with it and the 37 39 rear end you have some fitment details there that are going to require welding skills. I don't recommend the A rear axle. You will be constantly shearing the axle keys. Then you need to modify your radiator re wire, hydraulic brakes etc etc. Get Vern Tardells book on the subject. it shows you step by step although there are some mistakes in it.

I am in the process of doing it and it is a big project in my mind. It is not a bolt in. Would I do it again. Absolutely.

"constantly shearing axle keys"?? First, I think the axle keys in a V8 axle are the same as an A axle. More important, if you just torque the axle nuts properly you will never shear a key. Twist or break an axle, yeah, but you could throw the keys away and keep going if the axle nuts are tight like they should be.

[Paul Bennett]

Why not sell the old girl and buy a 32 or 33? Unless you need a project I cringe whenever I hear of a decent car being cut up and re-engineered. If you insist, put in an LS2 or LS3 for about the same money as a FH.

[Bill Batson]

I used Mike Bishop and Vern Tardel's book as a guide in building my 29 AV8. I did use a 1951 8BA and got it to fit but agree a 59 series block would be easier. Made up a 39 trans from about five donor trans and used a 40 rear end. Followed the book's advice on how to get it all working with a little fabrication of my own.

Its a ton of fun and steps right out.

Bill

[flatford8]

Originally Posted by Paul Bennett

Why not sell the old girl and buy a 32 or 33? Unless you need a project I cringe whenever I hear of a decent car being cut up and re-engineered. If you insist, put in an LS2 or LS3 for about the same money as a FH.

I cringe when I see/hear of a LS motor going in an old Ford. I would think alot less "re-engineering" to put a FHV8 in it. I like the idea of souping up the banger...... Mark

[pooch]

Originally Posted by Bill Batson

I used Mike Bishop and Vern Tardel's book as a guide in building my 29 AV8. I did use a 1951 8BA and got it to fit but agree a 59 series block would be easier. Made up a 39 trans from about five donor trans and used a 40 rear end. Followed the book's advice on how to get it all working with a little fabrication of my own.

Its a ton of fun and steps right out.

Bill

Yep, heaps of fun....21 studder, 39 toploader, 16 inch wires, running cowl tank, 39 steering wheel, engineered to seat 4 with retractable belts all round.

[mountstimothy0]

Originally Posted by DennisR

Briefly, if possible, what is involved in fitting a flathead in a 1930 coupe?

I appreciate your topic on this. I'm doing the same thing to mine I have a frame 2 Flathead. And a trans and rear end from a 39. Ya some people frown on what we do on this sight but I think they forget that's how they hot rodded cars in the 50s so to me and my dad it's still nostalgic

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Tapatalk

[Ed Pitts]

A work in progress for my 28 Coupe.

[supereal]

I put a V8 in my Model A two door when I was in high school in the late 40's. I found several problems with the switch. The brakes were dangerously inadequate, the steering was sloppy, just to name a couple. It was interesting that breaking a rear axle wasn't rare, as we found out with careless driving. I never broke an axle after the swap. I suspect the difference was caused by the difference in fly wheels. The original "A" was a heavy piece, compared with the V8 type, increasing the low speed torque at low speed takeoff.