Model A rear end to an EAB?

M

Marcus J

Junior Member
I'm considering fitting a 1952 EAB engine into my 1930 Fordor, together with a 39 gear box. Is it possible to use the original rear end and drive shaft, if I switch to a higher gear ratio ring and pinion?

/Marcus
 
I wont to say yes. but with the more hp and tork you need to be carful you could brake the A rear easy.
 
It should work ok IF:
you don't side step the clutch,
you don't do any power shifting,
you keep the horsepower level below 125.
 
Marcus,
We put a stock EAB in our '30 coupe using the stock Model A rear end (3.78) and torque tube and have run it 3 years with no problem.
It will work fine if, as Pete says, you don't drop the clutch, don't bang shift it, and don't hop up the motor over 125 hp, or so. Model A rear end is not as wimpy as a lot of people think and will work unless you plan to launch it real hard.
You have to use the V8 inner cap and outer cover.
You will find that with an 8BA type FH married to stock torque tube, the engine is very tight to the firewall and the center bottom has to be trimmed to clear. If you use stock fuel pump, you have to rotate the stand. Also, hard to get torque wrench on passenger side lower rear head bolt. But it gives you lots of room and options up front for the fan.
 

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I once read that if the person driving it is the person that built it and pays for it, it will be OK.
 
To agree with the above posts regarding conservative driving habits... Many years ago I ran a 265 (around 200hp advertised), with 39 trans, and stock Model A rearend. I drove it for years, conservatively, and never had any problem. That was over 50 years ago.
 
I tend to disagree with some of the advice. I had a 296 drag engine, with slicks, connected to a Model A rear end. The ONLY use it received was side-stepped clutch and power-shifts. No problem during a full season of abuse. I only changed it to a newer model when I wanted to try some different gear ratios. Although my experience is a rather limited sample it demonstrated the toughness of the Model A rears.
 
Thank's for all the great advice and comments, and for the inspiring photo CT AV8. Here is a photo of my car:

 
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