AV8 radiator/fan clearance ?

Pete Fl/Wi

Pete Fl/Wi

Senior Member
I am going to trial fit my 8ba with stock fan, 39 trans and k member to my A frame tomorrow with the radiator in stock position. Question is, how close can I have fan to radiator or what is recommended clearance?
Thanks Pete
 
Need to allow about an inch clearance, but if you have the stock firewall and radiator locations, the 8ba probably isn't going to fit. I used the early single belt and it was a squeeze.

Bob
 
Don't be discouraged. One of the earliest mods to the Model A was the swap of a flathead V8. I lurk on this and the V8 forum and find there are many who have interests in both restoration and slight modifications. The V8 forum is a little warmer to your interests but many good people on both. I too, have an interest in your question as I have started probably my last project - a 28pu with a '50 Merc bored .080". I'm not ready to set the motor but will need any info you find on clearances. Thanks for asking and hope those on this forum who secretly have 'special' projects will share their knowledge.
 
As bobscogin says, it may not fit as-is because the 8BA is longer than the 59A. It may be easier to modify your engine to 59A specs?
 
Unless you want to move the radiator or cut the firewall you should use the 59A waterpumps. There are some other pulley and generator changes that have to be made to make it work. I have a 37 21 stud and am going to have to find. A pair of 59A waterpumps also along with changing to a pancake style dist. Likely I will. Start setting up the chassis this winter. I basicly have everything needed, so it is a project I can get the farthest on over the winter. After the fab work is done this project will go back to storage in the barn for a couple of years while I try to finish catching up med bills. Then will rebuild the engine and start body work. Rod
 
100% agree, but it is only really practical if engine is still being rebuit...early cam and pumps, '42 distributor, single belt system will save you several inches over 8BA and solve its ignition problem as well. I have a post somewhere on HAMB with dimensional study of this.
 
It is tight fit, but both V8 flat heads will fit. Your real problem is the steering gear.

I also like stock cars, but I want them stock. But I also like hot rods because you can build them the way you want.

The 49=53 flat head in the roadster, I had to use a different fan. Best to use the water pumps from the older V8's
 

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I used the generator with the fan mounted on the pulley. This worked good , first with the 60 horse flathead and later with an 85 horse 1940 flathead. The 49-53 truck and Mercury water pumps have the front motor mount ears to the side like the 59A and earlier flathead water pumps.
 
If you change to early V8 water pumps, you will also need to change the cam, timing gears, and front cover. I always build the other way, take a 59 AB and build it like a 8 BA.
 
Well there is so much info on the H.A.M.B that it really isn't necessary to have it here... go check it out, tons of guys have AV8's over there...
 
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