big v8 conversion

M

materguru

Member
hello all
i have a 32 frame/car and i am in the process of building a 48/52 flathead actually truck or 8rt. I dont want to modify my 32 frame that much or at all really....so, what year cross member can I put in that will accept the bigger flatty and all i have to do is nicely remove the 32 front member and install the other cross member that will receive the new motor. OR...Is there motor mounts that is made that can be bolted or strategically welded in or bolted in where the rivets were? Sorta like ears if you will, for the 8RT tabs on the waterpumps?? please share and by the way I dont want to do a big huge frame build..remember I want to save the frame and no
build and NO, I dont want to get another frame. thanks and look foward to reasonable answers.
 
I am not too familiar with later but flatheads but did they still put the two tapped holes in the front of the block to install the original '32 motor mounts? I know they continued to include these holes for many years. If that doesn't turn out companies like "SPEEDWAY" have weld in mounts.

Charlie Stephens
 
Chassis Engineering Inc. makes mounts. In most cases they bolt into place. You can obtain their catalog by phone, (319) 643-2655, or online at www.chassisengineeringinc.com They emphasize that early frames are not designed to resist the weight and torsion of more powerful engines, so care should be taken to preserve safety. They have been in business for a long time, and know their stuff.
 
The '51 Merc I put in my car had the tapped holes for the stock '32 front mounts. I had wondered what they were for, and did some research and that's what I found.
 
tubman said:
The '51 Merc I put in my car had the tapped holes for the stock '32 front mounts. I had wondered what they were for, and did some research and that's what I found.
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Look at this factory picture and you'll see that engine assemblies were moved about the line via that chain and bracket bolted to those four holes BEFORE motor mounts were installed (in '32, anyway). These are obviously '49-'53s. DD

292514
 
Buy replacement 32 Ford V8 mounts. Install engine & be happy.
Look to Ebay for mounts or maybe Drake.
Do not change front crossmember
 
seems to me I remember reading you may need to trim the front crossmember slightly to clear the crank pulley when installing a 8BA/8RT in a '32 frame??
 
Seems to me that changing the front crossmember out to some aftermarket or other unit, is modifying the frame. Not sure I follow your logic here.
 
This will open a large can of worms. The front od the 49 up engines is longer and you might run into the radiator. Also what are you going to do with the front axle and steering. This has all been done before, but there's allot mort to than motor mounts.
 
Off topic but I thought you might find it handy here is how I mounted by master cylinder using a stock K member and pedals. Also be sure to incorporate anti chatter rods unless your you are doing something else to make them unnecessary. I moved the battery to the right side but this was done before Optima batteries became popular.

Charlie Stephens
 

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It looks like this would be a good question for HAMB but check their archives first. Be sure you include enough information in the title to attract the right people. I think there is an answer out there but it may involve making enough changes to the front of the engine that it thinks it is a earlier block.

Charlie Stephens
 
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I think the 8BA crankshaft snout can be shortened by machining in order to use the OEM single sheave pulley or a 59 series pulley can have the front sheave removed. The whole front of the engine and the heads can be converted as long as the cam is changed out to work with the early components. Some coolant ports need to be capped or plugged too depending on the heads used. It's a lot of work to do but it's been done. The bell housing, clutch, & oil pan have to be considered too. Mercury stuff is best but some of the truck stuff will work too.
 
have a question that has nothing to do with this thread but, I am trying to put a flattie in a 1930 model A truck. am looking to keep the four speed trans that is in it. I set motor in frame and got a bel to fit the V8 and the trans but The input shaft seems to be to short to reach the pilot bushing. what am I missing here? or can't it be done at all
 
Kribbie said:
have a question that has nothing to do with this thread but, I am trying to put a flattie in a 1930 model A truck. am looking to keep the four speed trans that is in it. I set motor in frame and got a bel to fit the V8 and the trans but The input shaft seems to be to short to reach the pilot bushing. what am I missing here? or can't it be done at all
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If you are talking about an original non synchro 4 speed you would be much better off going to an early Ford V8 transmission.

Charlie Stephens
 
Kribbie said:
have a question that has nothing to do with this thread but, I am trying to put a flattie in a 1930 model A truck. am looking to keep the four speed trans that is in it. I set motor in frame and got a bel to fit the V8 and the trans but The input shaft seems to be to short to reach the pilot bushing. what am I missing here? or can't it be done at all
Click to expand...

Really would think about keeping the 4-speed. Unless you have drived one and understand them they are hard to shift and the gearing is to low for normal driving. Unless you are building a stump pulling log truck you would be much better off with the later 3-speed.
 
The 4-cylinder 4-speed AA truck stuff is a lot different than the V8 BB stuff that came later. The 200 cid 4 banger had a very short bell housing and a big clutch so the input shaft is shorter. The AA has kind of a unique drive train compared to many of the later V8 BB trucks. I don't know whether there is gear compatibility with the later 4-speeds or not. Mac VanPelt might have some experience with them but I don't know that for certain. If there is no interchangeability, the later 4-speed and possibly drive train components to some extent may have to be used in place of the model AA components.
 
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