Projects Model A Build v8 283/289?

Hi All,

First time post - I come from a family of old car enthusiasts and mechanics, though I never learned to turn a wrench and as my name implies, am not mechanically inclined.

I recently purchased my ultimate car, a Model A pick up and need some help.

I’m looking to put a v8 in it with a manual transmission and ‘ve been reading through the awesome & vast H.A.M.B threads, lots of phenomenal information! And need some insight on things that can & can’t be done.

I’d like to keep all modifications to 50’s & 60’s era or earlier.

After searching Craigslist & Marketplace, I’m finding a lot of F100s & C10s available with 289s & 350s with 3 or 4-speed transmissions, as well as some 352s & 292s, are these good options/feasible?

The point:
-Can I take a complete drive-train from a pre-70s F100 or C10 and put it in a Model A?
-Are there any significant benefits, drawbacks, challenges when deciding between a 289 vs 283 or 350 vs 352? Or is it really just personal preference.
-Would I need a rear upgrade or boxed frame w/ a 283 or 289?

Tracking parts & kits, as well as dollar/hp-per-cubic inch, are going to be cheaper and easier with the 350 option, and that it really comes down to what I’m trying to do, money, time, and skills available, but I’d like to hear y’all’s expertise & input.

Thanks for the responses and consideration, any help is greatly appreciated!

I’ll keep ya’ll updated, as well as follow-up w/ pics (tracking the requirements)

 

Just because you have an A pickup, don't restrict yourself to truck drivelines.
Both engines can be made to work. The Chev would be easier - if only because it is shorter. And has a rear sump oil pan.

 

I'd go with the 283 or 327.... And I'm a Ford guy...

 

The other thing to consider is, if you care the thing is hard core "traditional". If you want the most power for the buck go for the Chevy small block. The guys who run flat heads will turn the nose up at you....but thats YOUR choice, just say'n. Some of the odd engine combinations are very cool, just may be harder to find parts. Plenty of performance options for flatties, just gets expensive $/HP.
Post pics. Before you get to deep in the weeds spend lots of time serching this site. Some of the best builders in the world post here....or at least they used to. Good luck.

 

Unquestionably the Small Block Chevrolet. Parts availability, power, ease of installation.


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Theres going to be firewall surgery.Which way you go depends on how much foot room you lose.If your over 5 ft 10 you cant afford to lose much in the model A. The 289 is longer than a Chevy,but there are water pump kits to get it shorter.Bronco oil pans gain back some pan clearance.If you run cross steer this will matter. On a 28-29 your going to cut the lower firewall,and fab a box for clearance.On the 30-31 remove the firewall,and turn it around gains you a few inches.Your going to want a rear axle from a early Bronco,or Mustang,V8 Falcon/Maverick/Comet.They are the correct width,and save narrowing cost.

 

Two overarching thoughts:

1) What tools do you have and how much work can you do yourself or with friends/family and how much will be hired?

2) You'll also need to upgrade the ch***is to handle the power increase of even a mild V8. *Minimal* upgrade(s) would probably include:
-Replacing the mechanical brakes with hydraulic ("juice") brakes.
-A more modern steering box.
-Yes- box the stock 90-year-old frame, ***uming it isn't cracked beyond repair.

Hope this helps. Welcome to the HAMB, where there's a wealth of info for traditional hot rodders.

 

If you have done a lot of reading of the HAMB then you know that the Chevy small block was the motor of choice for most early hot rodders, for a lot of reasons. I run a flathead in my A but wouldn't turn my nose up at anyone for what they put in their ride. Your ride your choices. I would however take advantage of the knowledge gained by the folks who have been there and done it already. Seeing as your just starting out make it easy on yourself or it will become a never completed project sitting in the back of the garage. Just Gary covers it pretty well above. Welcome to the HAMB and don't be shy about asking for help.

 

Go to l0ts of car shows and cruises and take millions of pictures. Digital film is very cheap. Focus especially on firewall clearances, water pump clearance, steering systems, front and rear suspensions, brake setups, pedals, and anything else you can think of. Talk to the owners about what they like or dislike about their build. Most owners are willing to share info.

Learn to weld!
If you make a mistake, don't dwell on it. Take it apart and do it right.
Easiest is small block Chevy. But all of your choices are acceptable.

Good luck!

.bjb

 

What do you consider drivetrain? Most everything other than the engine and transmissions from those trucks Don't fit that well.

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I'm a Ford guy mostly, but my vote is also the Chevy. Why does it have to be a V8? The 4.3 Chevy V6 is shorter, and transmission choices remain the same. I would lean toward a Ford rear axle though.

 

Small block ford, make it a copy of the old 271 hp 289 motor. Solid lifters, dual point distributor.

I'm a gm guy but there's never been a sweeter sounding small block ever built than the 271 hp 289 Shelby mustang motor. And behind a manual trans ? Pure ecstasy...

 

Because this is a traditional hot rod site and subject. Nothing traditional about a 4.3 V6.

To the OP, engines and transmissions are not truck specific, any donor will do.

 

The 289/ 302 ford engines and transmissions will work but this being your first build I would suggest the using the sbc 283/327/350, the later model rear axles are too wide, I like the 66-77 Bronco but they are getting hard to find, early Mustangs. Mavericks or Granada's. also s-10's are about the right width. HRP

 

SBC all the way.

 

Want a belly****on ride and an easy build? SBC. Have an imagination and want to be “different”? Windsor platform. Want to win awards, make women swoon and men drool? Flathead baby. [emoji12]

It’s your build do what YOU want.


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Does it have the 4 banger in it now? Does it run? A OHV V8 requires more than just engine and transmission and rearend. You have to change a lot of stuff to install all the parts. Then there’s the brakes. Then....

So back to does it run now with the 4 cyl. If not, is it capable of running? I only ask/say that ***uming you’re going to have to have someone/some shop do the work for you, the cost is going to be high.
If you can work with what you have, learn it, then keep leaning and getting experience, tackle the Drive train change.

 

You absolutely don't have to be mechanically inclined to hot rod a Model A if you keep it simple.

The least amount of fabrication would be 283 with an adapter to an early Ford transmission. Keep the stock rear, for now, and be careful. Reversed eye spring up front, Model T spring in the rear. Juice brakes and some early Ford wheels.

You could do all that work with the most basic tool kit.

Edit: by "be careful" with the rear, I mean drive it knowing those little keys at the ends of the axles are weak links. Keep everything tight and maintained and it will hold up okay until you are ready for an upgrade.

 

With out looking it up I would bet there is more support going the sbc route, the 283 is probably the toughest motor I know of, real screaming demon. Sbc has a vast parts interchange and parts can be found in unlikely vehicles. I would go with a 283 ,4 sp Saginaw and a 8.8 Ford limited slip

 

Want a belly****on ride and an easy build? SBC.

If you have done a lot of reading of the HAMB then you know that the Chevy small block was the motor of choice for most early hot rodders, for a lot of reasons. Cheap and everyone has one plus they all come from corvettes.

 

Sorry for the delay, got bogged down at work.

It’s a little 4-banger that runs & drives, engine’s been rebuilt and car’s been garaged.

Tracking it doesn’t have to be a truck driveline just because it’s a pickup, but the main reason I’m looking at trucks is not only are they in more supply locally but they also seem to be the only readily available v8 option on the market. (Most sedans I’m coming across are the smaller six-cylinders or I6 pickups)

I’d like to pull the entire engine, transmission, driveshaft and rear axle from one vehicle for ease and figure all the parts already come matched together.

Back to sedan vs trucks on craigslist or marketplace, figure money spent cutting down the rear axle then is more efficient then searching for and spending more money on an engine and rear separately…I’m all messed up? Lol feedback welcomed haha

Appreciate ALL the great advice!! Especially about going with what I can and what’s available. That’s exactly why I wanted to come to the HAMB!

Out of curiosity…what do ya’ll think about an Inline-6 option? I’ve come across quite a bit of these, both sedans and trucks, thanks!

 

Thank you!! I didn’t know, or think to grab a rear from an early Bronco or older compact sedan. Its expanded by search significantly and gave me more options, so either way I don’t come up empty! Appreciate the heads up about leg room, heard its important point of consideration, though I’m not too worried about it--being vertically challenged myself lol

 

Fortunately, we have a DIY auto shop nearby and the shop foremen are experienced and provide ***istance/insight when needed. So hopefully with youtube, ya’ll on the HAMB! and their oversight, I can get it done safely with minimal trips to a resto shop.

 

Thanks Jokester! This is exactly what I’m looking for! Important things to consider...And I definitely need to learn to weld

 

Appreciate the advice! I was in a rush until I got on the HAMB and got the same advice you p***ed – “drive it, learn it, and work with what I’ve got” enjoying and having fun with it while I learn

 

Really appreciate the advice, thanks. Makes me feel good and happy with what I’ve got. Heard one other person say the same – it’ll come along with time and I can “beef” it up a little, drive careful and have fun with it until ready to upgrade bigger latter. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the tip! - Get smart from the experts!

 

Thanks! I’ve heard the same from local shops, said either would work but a Ford v8 sounds mean in the old Models

 

Perfect synopsis! Haha

 

My Dad swears by these engines! Thanks for the advice, and great profile pic!