Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical 32 Ford Model B front cross member change to V8

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by clarkw3, Jan 21, 2014.

  1. clarkw3
    Joined: Aug 28, 2013
    Posts: 22

    clarkw3
    Member

    I have a 32 Ford Model B and I have plans to put a flathead V8 in it. I plan to use a Mercury flathead motor with the later style truck water pumps. My question is: My current spacing on my cross member is ~12in between the motor mounts where the motor mounts on the flathead are ~16in apart. Does anyone know if the V8 cross member has wider spacing? I'm trying to save some time and have a neater front cross member if the V8 cross member has wider spacing. I couldn't find any post related to this so if you know of one please point me in the right direction.
     
  2. titus
    Joined: Dec 6, 2003
    Posts: 5,195

    titus
    Member

    as far as i know its the same front crossmember for Bs and v8s, but i seem to remember there being an early B crossmember, not sure.
     
  3. DICK SPADARO
    Joined: Jun 6, 2005
    Posts: 1,887

    DICK SPADARO
    Member Emeritus

    If you have a 12" center cross member it should have a flat engine mount pad with diagonal holes for mounting a bolt on cushion. This is an early "B- 4 cyl" crossmember. Since you are in the Hot rod forum it pretty sure that this isn't a Restoration. There is no reason no to use the cross member as is. Your engine is easily installed by using the stock 32 V8 engine mounts on the front of your block. This will produce an index point and then drill a hole in the flat area cushion base with a 7/8" circle saw to accept the later design engine cushions.
     
  4. clarkw3
    Joined: Aug 28, 2013
    Posts: 22

    clarkw3
    Member

    Thanks for the input. So does that mean that V8 crossmembers have the proper 16" spacing?
     
  5. DICK SPADARO
    Joined: Jun 6, 2005
    Posts: 1,887

    DICK SPADARO
    Member Emeritus

    Yeah but finding one in good condition is an issue and then removing and replacing is a h***le. The spacing is actually around 15" and was used on both B and V8 engine application in production when V8 was supplied.
     
  6. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,926

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  7. Your block may or may not be drilled and tapped for these mounts. It is sort of like the front mounts on the early SBC that were drilled and tapped for years. Maybe only a boss is there.

    Charlie Stephens
     
  8. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    My experience is that early blocks through '48 generally have all 4, later blocks often lack some of the holes but usually have at least one on each side so you can bolt on the mount and locate your drilling from there.
    1937-up engines have fan belt clearance issues with '32 mounts, easily cured with a slight grind...if carefully planned the clearance can be obtained with a small p*** entirely on the inside of the forging line. Many '32 mounts have ham-handed great gouges from previous conversion...
    You also may need to slightly clearance the inner edge of the pump casting, this varies with the individual pump.
    Trivia question...those mounts and another similar design were used on '32's and very early '33's. When did Ford next use those holes in production??
     
  9. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    An option for those who have found out what '32 mounts sell for is the Hurst A-28 mount or equivalent fabrication, and extremely simple bolt-on that mounts normal '37-up pumps to the frame rail immediately abaft the crossmember for '28-34 Fords.
    There are Hurst catalog pics on here somewhere from Hurst Guress Little Wing that show A-28's.



    This stolen pic is another type, a replication of a C-shaped riser Ford once offered for 59A replacement motors. I haven't seen one ever used on a '32 but something like this would likely work...it might be a little extreme on your early crossmember though:
    Blasted pic won't steal properly. Bob Drake sells a repro of the original...
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.