AV8 Question

Henry/Kokomo

Henry/Kokomo

Well-known member
Three facts you should know going in:
1 I am building an AV8 '30 Deluxe Roadster
2 I have read the Mike Bishop/Vern Tardel book "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod"
3 I know that some information (dimensions) given in the book are wrong.


Q: Can someone who has done this tell me, definitively, where the front motor mounts should be located?


Thanks in advance for any and all info.
 
if i were doing any thing like that, i'd have the body on the frame with a motor sitting on blocks so you can move it around and see where it needs to be. you will want to see where the radiator sits, how much steering box clearance you have etc.when i built my roadster years ago i'm sure i had the body on and off the frame 5 times to check clearances. what motor? later 8ba's are a tight fit unless fitted with all the old stuff on the front. have fun!
 
Even in the book, Mike mentions changing anything affects the dimensions. Just using an 8BA instead of a 59 or earlier series engine will change a lot of things. I've seen guys turn the firewalls around on the 31 cars to get more room. Model A cars are cramped so I have to recommend the same as cas3. Mock it up before you set it in stone or you'll regret having to redo things later. Motor mounts and wish bone usage were both wrong in the book and both are very important to the end result. Getting a mechanical fan in there is the most difficult part but there have been some very innovative things done and recorded on the HAMB so I know it can be done whether 59 or 8BA series.
 
I use old blocks that can't be salvaged for mock-ups. You can also purchase lightweight mock-up blocks. But either way I would go with a block in place as it's the only why to really know what is going on.
 
Thanks for the speedy replies. I'm using a 59 block for several reasons and I was afraid I'd get the responses I did . . . although I agree with them. Since I have one and only one 59 block and the engine is completely built as well as the transmission, I guess that's what I'll use for mock-up purposes.


Thanks to all who replied. Much appreciated.
 
I set mine all up with 59 block, then switched to an 8ba, had to move motor mounts and K member rearward another 5/8” or so to get the mechanical fan to clear the radiator.
But I had no clearance issues with the firewall due to the style of intake and positioning of the fuel pump.
 
I agree you need everything mocked up before you weld anything. Body,fan,radiator,steering box, motor mounts,K member and headers. I kept the front mounts on with clamps and were about the last thing I welded after finalizing K member.

As mentioned you can slide engine on front mount and k member back and forth to get best position.



John
 
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If you use an actual 1932 wish bone and K-member then that limits where you can move things but it's closer than a 33/34 bone. I did like the book and found a 34 wishbone and discovered pretty quickly that it wasn't going to work. My saving grace was Mike's article on the HAMB about lengthening the 34 wish bone and using a rear fitting from the model A bone. This allowed for a lot more movement flexibility for fit. Mine is a 29 so the fit is real tight. Even an inch can make a big difference.
 
Yes; that mention of a 33/34 wishbone instead of the 32, made me a lot of money. I sold the heck out of my 33/34 wishbones to fellows caring the book! Newc
 
i think if you have a finished motor and trans thats a good thing. hang it from a hoist with a floor jack under the trans, and you can see everything. fuel pump stand, water pump pulleys, distributor, height of the trans/floor, all of it. no tape measure or any one elses numbers work, you need to see it
 
Henry, I used an 8BA in my 31, I also used Mike & Verns book as a rough guide, but you have to be able to engineer somethings yourself... split wishbone, stay away from 32 stuff.
I would say the firewall (body) will tell you where the motor has to be. I do remember moving the front crossmember about 2" forward to allow for enough room for the fan, this also moves the radiator ahead so I have no hood. Most of these changes will go unnoticed by 98% of the car guys, PM me will more of your questions, glad to help out, Chuck.
 

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Vern has a new book called "Hot Rod Your Model A". He puts an 8BA and 39 transmission in a sedan in this one with step by step pictures and descriptions. You would still need to do your mock up but I think this book is a good one. He also goes into how to modify the model a wishbone so you don't have to source the expensive 32 one. And he tells you what water pumps and fan assembly to use to make it easy to fit the later motor in a Model A.
 
Henry I used a 34 wishbone and used 2 plates to mount to k member thus extending it an inch or so.

John
 

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