Soory folks, no updates. Bought a 49 Ford from a friend that i am workin on right now but soon the 39 will get some attention so stay tuned!
Got lucky and found a new 39-40 coupe tool box compartment, i had to place it in the trunk before i fitted the tail pan because it was to tight to get it in place after the tail pan was mounted. The mounts/reinforcments for the trunk lid was in the way. This made it quite tricky to get it in the right spot, got the two mounting bolts in and a couple of spot welds was done. Alot of welding left but i think i at least got it in the right location.
Some minor update. Got the front end out and the wishbone is ready for a split. But first the old trans mount has to go.
Got the wishbone split and welded. Started to heat and get the shackle mounts in the right angle after the split but ran out of gas and could only do one side. Kinda hard to do this by yourself, would be nicer to have one guy heating and one bending.
Got the front end back on the car, the rear mount for the wishbones is not bolted to place yet. I want to test with engine/trans first to see where everything ends up. Also there is holes in the wishbone mount for a th350 transmission mount that i will use if i can.
I got a th350 delivered from a friend this weekend so i decided to bolt it to a empty 283 block and put it in the 39 just to test how it would fit. As i said before the wishbone mount had holes for a th350 trans mount that i wanted to use if i could. I had two types of front engine mounts, one old Hurst thar ive borrowed from a friend and one new aftermarket. Sadly the old Hurst mount hit the timing cover and needed a spacer between the block and mount and that made it to far away from the holes in the frame to use. Had to cut some in the center section of the frame to get clearance for the transmission but after that i got it bolted to the holes in the wishbone mount. Gladly the transmission dident hit the floor so i dont have to change the front floor or anything like that. The motor mount dident quite line up with the holes in the frame (yes its reversed) so im going to drill new holes for the transmission mount to move everyting a little bit towards the front. Also tested the oilpan for clearance, over all im pleased and dident have to much problems.
The SBC fits well in the '39 engine bay, but it's a tad snug. Definitely check your clearance, Clarence! I put mine together without a shroud because I wanted to get it back together quickly... "I'll figure the shroud out later"... But it has never overheated as is, with the high volume water pump and 4 core copper radiator, so it is what it is. (Results may vary) Note the 4 blade fan... can't believe it works!!
I tested with a original 4 blade fan and clearance was not a problem but the fan sits high, originally the flathead fan is mounted on the crankshaft. Looks good on your car.
Small block chevy's were made for 39-40 fords and after almost 70 years of use in them I consider them traditional. A word of caution for you on that cast aluminum pan, If you are going to be running your car with low ground clearance you need to consider that they do not bend or dent when hit, but crack and leak at leak oil at the very least. I would consider a chrome plated steel oil pan if you need some shiny stuff under you car. I am enjoying your build posts!
No then the holes will sit to far to the front instead, if you look att the pic the part of the engine mount thats bolted to the block is directly over the holes in the frame. So if i flip it i need to move the engine back instead and the gearbox will hit the floor and there might be tight for the dist.
It sits kinda high so i dont think that will be a problem. Im not a big flathead fan, ive had a couple of them but its just not for me. I want more power and be able to drive it with low rpm at higher speeds, also i think a 283 is a great engine.
Such a cool car. Such a shame you took out the way cool flathead and fitted a boring sbc and auto like every other budget built modified car. Certainly a step down in the cool factor. There are a lot of other cool old time options that would be so uninteresting and generic. Pity you couldn't afford to step up a bit.
Nah, i think a 283 is a cool old hot-rod engine and i dont want a flathead. Also want a auto so my wife can drive it, so a 283 and th350 is my choice.
Didn’t take long before someone complained about a traditional engine swap. Just swapped out a flatty for a 283. Easiest swap I’ve ever done. Cool factor? That problem belongs to the viewer not the owner.
That's your opinion, which you are certainly entitled to... Here's mine: The SBC (among many others) has been swapped into these cars for nearly 70 years... that's pretty traditional; His car, his choice.
The 700 auto is bigger than a th350 so you have to cut and rebuild the center frame alot. With a th350 you only have to remove the original transmount and some cutting in the center reinforcment for clearence.
That's true. But the prevalence of them today takes away the old school cool look as there is very little difference visually between a 283 and a new 350. So it doesn't shout old school as most other motors of that time do. They just shout cheapest and easiest.
Ok, now we know your opinion about chevy s/b. If you wanna debate that subject please do, but not in this thread.
Got the new holes drilled for the trans mount, got the engine alittle bit further and now the motormount fits.
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