The Ford Barn

cederholm · 07-31-2017, 09:17 AM

Hi guys, I have a few more questions regarding my 1952 8BA, but firsts a little history.

I want (and have wanted for a long time) to build a traditional AV8 hot rod and about 10 years ago I won an ebay auction on a non-running AV8 complete motor and trans. In retrospect it was a risky move on a motor that I knew NOTHING about. I think beer may have been involved in my bidding process. Anyway, I won and drove to Pennsylvania from NYC to claim my prize. My then pregnant wife was not amused. The motor came from some farm related truck and the transmission had a PTO so I sold that pretty quickly. I carefully pulled the motor apart and bagged and labeled everything. The motor had a spun rod bearing and damaged crank and rod, but after removing tons of gung the block looked very good. Then life got in the way and the motor was moth-balled in a dry shed.

Cut to a month ago and the Hot Rod projects is back in my sights and the 8BA is top of the list. With the help of this board and advice from Ol’Ron, I’ve brought my block to Gary at The Motor Shop (GOSFAST) – and man am I glad I did. He’s cleaned and tested the block and says it’s one of the finest block to come through his shop in a long long time. The current plan in to take the cylinders to 40 over and go with a 4” crank. He’ll do the machine work and supply the parts, I’ll assemble – because I like that kind of stuff!

Okay, sorry for the ramble – on to my questions. Cleary I’ll need to upgrade some parts to use with 12v and I need advice.

• Distributer – I hear I need to find Bubba. Can he upgrade my stock unit or are there other options?
• Starter – I’ve recently had a 1953 Chevy starter converted to 12v for an old inline six. Can I do the same here?
• Generator – can this be converted to 12v?

I’d love to reuse as much of the Henry stuff as I can!

Thanks,
Carl

JSeery · 07-31-2017, 09:45 AM

Distributer doesn't care about voltage (6v vs 12v), need to be sure the coil / ballast resistor combo is correct. Bubba is a good source for a rebuild.

A 6v starter will work on 6v or 12v, pos or neg ground. However they can also be updated from 6v to 12v.

The generator has to be putting out 12v, I'm not sure what is the best approach here. I like the generators converted to alternators (hid inside the original case) but that is not a cheap approach.

flatjack9 · 07-31-2017, 12:52 PM

Actually the generator will put out 12 volts if you install a 12 v regulator. The generator can be converted to 12v with field coils from a 12v Ford generator.

cederholm · 07-31-2017, 02:18 PM

Interesting, where can I find out more? Is this something I can do or my auto electric guy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

Actually the generator will put out 12 volts if you install a 12 v regulator. The generator can be converted to 12v with field coils from a 12v Ford generator.

Brendan · 07-31-2017, 06:12 PM

is your fan run off the generator?

rotorwrench · 07-31-2017, 07:22 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Some folks use the 1956 Ford type 12-volt generator. It can be made to fit in an 8BA cradle with a bit of work.

The stock Load-O-Matic is fine for stock applications but a Chevy or Chrysler distributor can be set up to work an 8BA very effectively with the right mods.

cederholm · 07-31-2017, 08:19 PM

I honestly don't remember. It was 10 years ago when I took it apart. I'd need to look at the old photos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brendan

is your fan run off the generator?

rotorwrench · 08-01-2017, 10:32 AM

The fan can be an issue with the AV8 builds. Model A cars don't have much space between fire wall and radiator. The 28/29 cars also have less vertical space than the 30/31 types. It all can be overcome but it's not as easy with the 8BA type engines as it is with the earlier types. There is a lot of info on the HAMB about AV8 builds. Some go as far as to use the frontal components and cam from the earlier series of engines to simplify the fit some but that has to be decided in the engine build stage before it gets set in stone.

cederholm · 08-02-2017, 08:17 AM

Thank you for the warning, I had read post about clearance issues - I will search around the HAMB for more info on the subject.

~ Carl

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

The fan can be an issue with the AV8 builds. Model A cars don't have much space between fire wall and radiator. The 28/29 cars also have less vertical space than the 30/31 types. It all can be overcome but it's not as easy with the 8BA type engines as it is with the earlier types. There is a lot of info on the HAMB about AV8 builds. Some go as far as to use the frontal components and cam from the earlier series of engines to simplify the fit some but that has to be decided in the engine build stage before it gets set in stone.

Frank Miller · 08-03-2017, 07:11 AM

Not sure what you're doing for carburetor but if you have more than one use a chevy conversion from Charlie ny or bubba. The original loadamatic can work ok but it's not the best and seeing you're going to 12 volt it won't look that out of place. The generator give you a nostalgic look but an alternator would be most efficient.

JSeery · 08-03-2017, 07:35 AM

With an alternator that looks original you get both.

07-31-2017, 09:17 AM	#1
cederholm Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport CT Posts: 318	8BA electrical question Hi guys, I have a few more questions regarding my 1952 8BA, but firsts a little history. I want (and have wanted for a long time) to build a traditional AV8 hot rod and about 10 years ago I won an ebay auction on a non-running AV8 complete motor and trans. In retrospect it was a risky move on a motor that I knew NOTHING about. I think beer may have been involved in my bidding process. Anyway, I won and drove to Pennsylvania from NYC to claim my prize. My then pregnant wife was not amused. The motor came from some farm related truck and the transmission had a PTO so I sold that pretty quickly. I carefully pulled the motor apart and bagged and labeled everything. The motor had a spun rod bearing and damaged crank and rod, but after removing tons of gung the block looked very good. Then life got in the way and the motor was moth-balled in a dry shed. Cut to a month ago and the Hot Rod projects is back in my sights and the 8BA is top of the list. With the help of this board and advice from Ol’Ron, I’ve brought my block to Gary at The Motor Shop (GOSFAST) – and man am I glad I did. He’s cleaned and tested the block and says it’s one of the finest block to come through his shop in a long long time. The current plan in to take the cylinders to 40 over and go with a 4” crank. He’ll do the machine work and supply the parts, I’ll assemble – because I like that kind of stuff! Okay, sorry for the ramble – on to my questions. Cleary I’ll need to upgrade some parts to use with 12v and I need advice. • Distributer – I hear I need to find Bubba. Can he upgrade my stock unit or are there other options? • Starter – I’ve recently had a 1953 Chevy starter converted to 12v for an old inline six. Can I do the same here? • Generator – can this be converted to 12v? I’d love to reuse as much of the Henry stuff as I can! Thanks, Carl

07-31-2017, 09:45 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 8BA electrical question Distributer doesn't care about voltage (6v vs 12v), need to be sure the coil / ballast resistor combo is correct. Bubba is a good source for a rebuild. A 6v starter will work on 6v or 12v, pos or neg ground. However they can also be updated from 6v to 12v. The generator has to be putting out 12v, I'm not sure what is the best approach here. I like the generators converted to alternators (hid inside the original case) but that is not a cheap approach.

07-31-2017, 12:52 PM	#3
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: 8BA electrical question Actually the generator will put out 12 volts if you install a 12 v regulator. The generator can be converted to 12v with field coils from a 12v Ford generator.

07-31-2017, 06:12 PM	#5
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: 8BA electrical question is your fan run off the generator? __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

07-31-2017, 07:22 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: 8BA electrical question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some folks use the 1956 Ford type 12-volt generator. It can be made to fit in an 8BA cradle with a bit of work. The stock Load-O-Matic is fine for stock applications but a Chevy or Chrysler distributor can be set up to work an 8BA very effectively with the right mods.

08-01-2017, 10:32 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: 8BA electrical question The fan can be an issue with the AV8 builds. Model A cars don't have much space between fire wall and radiator. The 28/29 cars also have less vertical space than the 30/31 types. It all can be overcome but it's not as easy with the 8BA type engines as it is with the earlier types. There is a lot of info on the HAMB about AV8 builds. Some go as far as to use the frontal components and cam from the earlier series of engines to simplify the fit some but that has to be decided in the engine build stage before it gets set in stone.

08-03-2017, 07:11 AM	#10
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 8BA electrical question Not sure what you're doing for carburetor but if you have more than one use a chevy conversion from Charlie ny or bubba. The original loadamatic can work ok but it's not the best and seeing you're going to 12 volt it won't look that out of place. The generator give you a nostalgic look but an alternator would be most efficient. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

08-03-2017, 07:35 AM	#11
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: 8BA electrical question With an alternator that looks original you get both.