Chevy Engine

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fcompoccio

Member
Anyone have any experience putting a small block Chev in a 40 Ford?

Do I have to change out the firewall?

I want to install a 350 with 350 or 400 trans any info would be appreciate.

:confused:
:rolleyes:
 
The first SBC's, 265, 283, 327ci, would drop right in an early Ford V-8 almost like it had been designed for that swap, and there was no need to modify the firewall. This seemed like the right thing to do in the 50's and 60's.
Conversation kits were available back in the day with bell housing adapters that bolted the engine up to the Ford 3spd transmission and front engine adapters that allowed a bolt up to the front cross member using the original Ford rubber biscuit motor mount pads.
However, my preference today would be a Flathead engine built for performance.
 
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The transmission will be a problem. I believe you will have to destroy the frame center crossmember for clearance. Then there is the problem of redesigning the rear suspension.
 
Andy said:
The transmission will be a problem. I believe you will have to destroy the frame center crossmember for clearance. Then there is the problem of redesigning the rear suspension.
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Or you can forego the Chevy trans and use the Ford 3 sp. which would avoid having to do that.
 
fcompoccio said:
Anyone have any experience putting a small block Chev in a 40 Ford?

Do I have to change out the firewall?

I want to install a 350 with 350 or 400 trans any info would be appreciate.

:confused:
:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

You probably would get better and more complete information on the HAMB site. This conversion has been done a zillion times and is perhaps one of the easiest. A SBC appears (installed properly) to be a factory unit.
 
Yes, the HAMB is the best forum for this question. There are probably more 40 fords with Chevy motors than flatheads. However the simplest method is to bolt it to the ford transmission. ANY other route is complicated and expensive. Now that you know this, just remember, the ford transmission and rear end can't take the power of a 350 Chevy, so pick up allot of transmissions and axles. After awhile you'll get pretty good at changing them.
 
rotorwrench said:
Monkey motion motors belong on the HAMB or other sites that tolerate them.
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If I were 10 years older, I would have all flatheads too. We should be happy people are getting involved in this hobby, no matter what the powertrain is. It's mainly about what era you were born in. They are all good.

Sal
 
I've been playing with SBCs & BBCs as well as many other makes for may moons but the rules of the Ford Barn Forum are the rules. This is primarily a restoration forum with allowance for safety related and moderate creature comfort updates. At least that is how I understand the rules as Ryan stated them in the #1 thread.

The HAMB is a great forum and allows for all this hot rod stuff even though it is primarily a traditional hot rod forum. It makes allowances for "Period" builds up through 1964 or so and monkey motion motors.
 
Geez........No need to go to the HAMB to answer a simple question. NO need to change or hack-up the firewall on a '40 for a little Chevy. Like Kube said above.....about half a bazillion guys have done this since 1955, ME included!! Stay traditional and keep the '40 trans and you don't have to hack the center crossmember. Or, click on the "T5/Torque Tube" at lower left of this post to see how to use a T5 in front of your '40 torque tube rear, which only requires reasonably minor trimming on your center x-member. DD

Stock Firewall

306993


306994
 
I did the same thing with my '39 coupe back in the day. I used the '39 trans. I still have the Cragar chev/ford adaptor. As DD said, it's an easy swap if you use the original transmission.:)
 
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rotorwrench said:
I've been playing with SBCs & BBCs as well as many other makes for may moons but the rules of the Ford Barn Forum are the rules. This is primarily a restoration forum with allowance for safety related and moderate creature comfort updates. At least that is how I understand the rules as Ryan stated them in the #1 thread.

The HAMB is a great forum and allows for all this hot rod stuff even though it is primarily a traditional hot rod forum. It makes allowances for "Period" builds up through 1964 or so and monkey motion motors.
Click to expand...
"




There are an awful lot of hot rods on here if it's primarily a restoration site. I didn't realize that. Somehow I think if it was a 302 Ford going into the '40 Ford, there may have not been many negative comments if any. Some people may object to a SBC being called a monkey motion motor. Not a good name for an engine that hit a homerun in 1955 and stayed primarily the same well into the 80's.

Sal
 
Yeah, restoration is probably primary on this site. Flathead hotrods secondary SBC transplants tertiary because they fit like a glove. But a 302 Ford in an old Ford? That's gotta be quaternary or worse ---- such sacrilege shouldn't even be mentioned here. 8^) Jack E/NJ
 
I guess I'm a bad boy for the 302 in my 48 convertible? Or personna non grata? Rather have a Ford in my Ford than a mouse motor

Jack E/NJ said:
Yeah, restoration is probably primary on this site. Flathead hotrods secondary SBC transplants tertiary because they fit like a glove. But a 302 Ford in an old Ford? That's gotta be quaternary or worse ---- such sacrilege shouldn't even be mentioned here. 8^) Jack E/NJ
Click to expand...
 
This is the only genre of automobiledom where the bastardization of our beautiful old Fords is welcomed and apparently encouraged by the very enthusiasts that love them.

The Chevy gang must have sore ribs from the laughing they do at our expense. What a complete and utter domination of our precious old Fords.

Swapping a Ford engine into a '40 cannot be done and should never be considered under any circumstances.



 
If you do go with an auto forget the 400. It far too large. The 350 will fit but you have to cut the centre out of the X member and fit a new g/box mount etc..
 
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