Hot Rods Fitting a 331 Hemi in a 1940 Ford

I was wondering how a 331 Hemi would fit in a my '40 Coupe? Anyone that has done this probably would remember how much they had to do to the firewall to get that to fit. I picked up this unique 331 Hemi a while back and traced it's history back to a 1953 Bosley once owned by a friend of mine. I found the guy that restored the Bosley and he ended up putting a 392 Hemi in the restored car. The people that now own the car think that it has the original engine in it ever though the car was built in '53 and the 392 is '57-'58 vintage. My 331 engine still has all the neat stuff unique to the Bosley installation including the Briggs Cunningham intake manifold with the four Zenith downdraft carbs, and stock exhaust manifolds.
I have a Model A coupe, '53 MG TD, and the "40 Cpe. It just seemed that the '40 had the most space to swallow that big 331, and due justice to that historic engine. Anyone done this?

 

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Serious firewall work is all I know. Even a small block ford requires firewall work where a small block chevy just fits. Waiting to hear from those that no's

Larry

 

The 53 block is the 'extended' version and will generally require floor/firewall mods in most swaps and thus the reason most folks avoid it.
Even though you have some interesting history with the engine a 54 block will make life easier.

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I can give you some info on a hemi in a 40 ford. Mine is a 392 so somewhat higher and a little wider than your 331. I have the 5 inch set back in my firewall and if you have the extended bel housing on your 331 you probably need that also. I had to put pockets for valve cover clearance in the inner fenders and I went with rack and pinion steering to get steering clearance for the exhaust. I post a few pics for you.

 

Here it is in the car with fenders on.

 

Thanks 4T, useful stuff.

 

I installed a 331 hemi hooked up to '39 ford ****** in a '38 ford coupe back in 1962 and if I remember correctly it was a snug fit but we didn't have to do anything to the firewall. But then again that was over 50 years ago.

 

Damn....4TFord...that is too sweet. Love that car.

 

my pop had one backed with a lasalle in his 40 Tudor back in 57-8. He said he had to relocate the battery but got it to fit without cutting everything. He did say it was damn tight, when it came time to work on it, he had down pat pulling the front clip off to access everything in about 10 minutes...

 

Here's a local car with 426, it can be done however car is not around to ask the owner on specifics. It appears to be recessed to me.

 

Holy **** that's one rotten green apple there !! A frekn' 4 2 6 !! ?? W o W !! That's bananas !