The 4.3 liter Chevy V6 is a smallblock Chevy with two cylinders removed. I believe the engine mounts are identical to the V8, so it would bolt onto your existing engine mounts. You can find them in configuretions from carbureted to OT fuel injection. A throttle body version could be swapped for a carburetor. Fair amount of aftermarket stuff for them too.
Bart… I’m glad your looking for the V6. They are a perfect fit. I would look to moving the V8 mounts about an 1” or slightly more giving up more room up front. You might want AC in the future or maybe planing it now but I’m guessing not because of keeping the stock fuel pump. It’s only draw back is resale if your worried about that but any 4 cylinder has that problem too. If your wanting power and driveability there a many throttle body EFI’s today that are bolt on to 4 barrel manifolds. Edelbrock 2111’s are available if you shop around. Have fun first and foremost and please yourself.
Here is an odd thought. I do not like the fuel tank in my lap. Now what makes this an odd thought is that I ride a Harley, and 3 gallons of fuel will scorch you just as bad as 10. Now this gets better, I also drive old trucks when I have a chance and sit on or in front of the fuel tank and I do smoke. SBCs get used a lot partially because they fit better then other motors. Carbs are pretty easy to deal with. If you decide that injection is the deal you will need a return line to the tank. It will also need a legit gas cap and not the original A gas plug. Also to run a modern mill (well modern to us anyway) you really need a pressurized cooling system. The stock radiator is not gonna fly (although it has been done before). If you are a tuner you can run mechanical injection on the street. I do not know you so let this fall under the I do not suggest that you do that clause. In the '70s (out of the era that we prefer here) lots of guys used Pinto motors in their otherwise stock looking Model As. They can be made to be pretty snappy in a light car. Another motor that we don't usually suggest but is doable is the Buick V6. it would fit easy enough with the original firewall and they also work well in a light car. They could be had in '64. So many options here that I have not mentioned. Something else to consider is a flathead V8. They are modern for a model A. The Lincoln flatty or the Ford big truck flatty (basically the Lincoln motor) are seldom used and make a little more torque than the normal motor that we use. gawd am I still typing? someone slap me please.
This sedan has given 30 years of good, reliable service with a 3.8-litre (231 cu. in.) Buick V-6. It has a full firewall and stock gas tank with a Turbo 350 GM transmission. Block hugger headers that fit under the hood and the aftermarket 4-barrel aluminum manifold keep it peppy and the unique exhaust note is pleasant.
The 262 cubic inch V6 also has the feature of looking like a small block Chev, just a little shorter. So it won't detract from a traditional look. Some even came with a nice high rise intake and Quadrajet.
The 231 Buick V6 is a great option. Back around the late 80s there was a good amount of speed equipment for them too.
The Chevy came with a 4 barrel in some 3/4 and 1 ton pickups. Got a bud building a 54 AD pickup using one. The Buick came in two flavors, early ones were odd fire and suffered from vibration. Later ones are even fire, and solved that problem. Very torkey, and give good gas mileage. I put in in an it japanese pickup with a 4:11 rear end and could pull loads like a full sized truck. Stopping was a different story....
@Stan Back I have always liked your car (from the first time I saw a pic of it) and the V6 just makes it better (I like them too). That said pics of your car always look like a model car. I don't know what causes that but it always reminds me of a model car. Please don't take this wrong. Not trying to insult a well built car.
Although it doesn’t fall under the traditional guidelines (although it did come out pre1965) The Buick v6 fits without firewall mods as previously noted, but also allows the use of a mechanical fan. I’ve run one the last 34 years in my A pickup, great around town. It will cruise 70-75 on the highway but you have to really put your foot into it on grades.
I've had mine up to 100 going to Bonneville. A little scary as the back wheels aren't balanced (and one's welded up). I just wanted to see what it would do (It shook a lot). Gas mileage is good -- got from Ely to Tonopah on less than the 10-gallon tank -- I thought there'd be a station at the major statewide intersection. No worry, there'd be another car along sometime that day.
Lost an alternator 3 miles from Tonopah. Took about three hours of starting and stopping to cool down engine to get to a truck stop there.
No, alternator fins separated and caused the shaft to fly out of the housing. alternator belt ran the fan, alternator and the water pump.
Ah! OK, now it makes sense. I didn't ride the short bus to school growin' up, but only because I lived close enough to walk, now that I look back at it.
The Jalopy Journal
