Convertig '34 4-cylinder to V8 - what does it take?

V

ventilo

Member
I'm considering aquiring a '34 "Rheinland" convertible with the model B powertrain. What does it take to convert this car to a V8?

I've already got a complete French flathead, but obviously would need to find a suitable transmission and a V8 radiator. What else needs to be swapped?
 
Is it straightforward to lengthen or shorten the shaft?
Or should I try to find the correct shaft & tube instead?
 
V8 tube should be pretty easy to find, here at least!
New main wiring harness...some sort of adaptor like the C-shaped Ford ones to go from the engine mounting pads to the wider V-8 span, truck pumps would be the normal USA choice, think the French engines use something a bit different.
V8 choke and throttle parts...
With the side mounted distributor and the long pumps of the later engine you will have to do some engineering to get fan and everything into place behind the '34 radiator. A '48 and back type engine has much shorter stack of front accessories and is easier to fit with similar to stock fan arrangement...
 
It is my observation that in this country at least a well restored 4 cylinder will attract as much attention as a V8 because everyone "restored" what few cars existed as V8's. A well restored 4 cylinder is very unusual.

Charlie Stephens
 
I'll test drive the Deutsch bodied Rheinland next Tuesday. If she turns out to be fine I might think about leaving the Model B banger in there.
Fan and distributor clearance with the French Flathead is an issue, I ended up using an electric pusher fan in my '37 Cologne built V8.
 
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