8ba into '35

surfgeezer

surfgeezer

Junior Member
I am going nuts searching for threads covering the issues of installing a 49-53 engine in '35... It would save my sanity if someone could identify any threads on this issue, or just give me a rundown on the basic issues with this install. My 35coupe had a59AB and the block is not repairable and we are finding 8BA blocks but no 59's... Still looking but want to consider the later block...thanks
 
There are threads available on installing an 8BA into a 40. Don't know if it's the same as a 35. However, if you can, keep looking for a 59 as the fan carrier mounting on an 8BA sits a lot higher and creates a fitment issue because the fan is not mounted to the crankshaft. This is also an issue when installing an 8BA into a 40 and is solved by adapting the fan to the 8BA crank pulley.
 
It's pretty easy to convert the 8Ba into a 59A engine. The method I use is to use early pre 49 water pumps that have internal seals. This along with the early crank pulley. The next issue is the generator or aultinater. I install a 1/4" shim behind the generator and replace the Loadamatic distributor with one of Bubbas long SBC distributors. This allows the belt to run under the distributor. The last modification is to use the early 81AA heads.. This may not be necessary in a 35 Ford. Having never done this in an early pre 37 car you may run into something I haven't. Good luck
 
Quick summary: The stock 49-53 two-belt drive system creates clearance problems since the belts, pumps, fan, etc are spaced further forward to clear the distributor. Simplest solution is to ditch all the 8BA stuff and use a single belt driving pre-49 block-mounted water pumps and a generator-driven fan (like the 35s originally had). Use the front-mounted pre-49 distributor.
 
I'm not sure if or how much the frames are different between '35 and my '33, but here is my experience with it. What you'll need:
-8BA block
-59 crank and main bearings
-59 cam
-59 timing cover and distributor
-8RT truck water pumps
-Probably the truck oil pan and pickup tube
-U-shaped engine spacers, Speedway sells
-Probably the sheetmetal bellhousing, not the truck cast iron one
-Probably the 59 flywheel
What is basically going to happen is that you'll convert the 8BA engine into an earlier type as far as the front is concerned. Do not use the 8BA crank, the front snout is much farther forward and will hit the front crossmember. The 8RT truck pumps will probably need the pulleys changed to match the crank pulley position, but I cannot confirm this. You cannot use the 78-8501 pumps because there is a hole in the block just above the pump. The 8RT pumps have the port for that hole. Otherwise the 8RT pump housings are the same with regards to mounting, hose size, etc. I'm not sure if the housings differ in relation to where the pulleys mount. I know the pulley positions are different and shaft sizes are different so you'll need to ream out some 78- pump pulleys or figure out another way if they won't clear the housings.
I'm not sure if you'll be able to use a generator-mounted fan or not. You probably have a lot of the mounting stuff taken care of if you have a 59A engine already in. Also good to open up the green bible to the engine section. There you'll find a "Replacement Cylinder Block Chart" which will show what is needed for a 59A or earlier block into this vehicle. It will not show anything for an 8BA. The best way to go is to use as much of the 59A stuff as you can and just use the 8BA intake, heads, block, oil pan, and bellhousing and perhaps the rods as well.
 
I've got an 8BA in my '36 coupe. Not knowing any better (this has been my first experience with flatties) all I did was use new "truck" water pumps (single drive belt), and a late style distributor (Bosch with points). My engine came without a fan or fan mount (which would have gotten in the way anyway) so I fitted 2 electric fans to the front of the radiator (one above the other). I did however have the radiator re-cored (5 row) and in nearly 5 years of daily driving have never boiled and only rarely switch the fans on. I use an alternator only because I didn't have a generator and made a simple mounting bracket and adjusting arm. Sometimes ignorance is bliss!!
 
Thanks for the info, I now have a good sense of what I need. Will be looking at two blocks this week, one is a 8ba the other is 59AB...
 
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