I am now beginning to swap the engine on my 40 Ford coup. I bought the car without flathead or trans and decided to go 302 with C4 trans. I have the Ch***is Engineering front IFS in place and positioned the body back on the frame. I can see where I will have to trim the lower part of the firewall and set it back 2-3 inches so the 302 heads will clear the firewall. My question deals with the firewall. I see there are "hotrod" firewalls available that require a complete change out of the stock firewall. They are fully recessed about 3-4 inches on the lower end and are basically just boxed straight panel construction, no resemblance to the original Ford firewall at all. I wonder if anybody has just modified the lower portion of the stock firewall, rather than go with this hot rod firewall replacement? If so , what were the issues with mating up to the front floor boards , and the transmission hump area.? Also, how far up did you cut the stock firewall and in what kind of pattern? Any pictures would be great. I want to limit the cutting of the firewall as much as possible. Thanks for any advice and/or pictures of the process. Steve
Do you have the short waterpump on the engine? I believe it's off an Explorer, and I have seen a 40 with this and NO firewall recess. Haven't built one ,but it might be worth checking out.
Check with Snow White Hot Rods (snowwhiteltd.com), they make a shortened water pump for this application. May avoid hacking up a stock firewall.
I like to use a stock water pump for the simple reason i can pick one up anywhere if you need one. We chop tops ,channels ,customize everything else. So what's the big deal about a firewall mod. Little more work but stockers need work to. Wheel barrows? Used one in my rpu, Worked great, looks great. Hasn't got that furnace duct look. Put a *****in firewall in my 37 years ago. Nice piece.
I would do some research on Ford parts to shorten the overall engine. Also, I looked at Speedways display at a couple of events and they are selling a different timing cover that uses a stock water pump from a Chrysler product. It is in their catalog. Worth a look. I personally would rather not cut a nice stock firewall.
I have a 302 with a C4 in my '40 coupe with the original long water pump. The firewall is uncut. It is not necessary. It is only trimmed slightly at the bottom to clear the bell housing, and has a welded in transmission hump. I simply moved the radiator forward about an inch instead of cutting the firewall. Much easier.
metal man.... I can't move my motor mounts anymore forward because I am using the Ch***is Engineering IFS set up. Are you using the original front suspension ? or did you modify the motor plates /mounts ? Can you post a picture of the side are of your engine? Thanks, Steve
There's a small notch in the firewall to clear the driver's side head. We're using a very thin SPAL fan bolted to an equally thin custom made shroud.
You do not have to cut the firewall if you engineer it right. I have a 302/5.0 AODE and electric fan in my 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery with stock firewall - it all fits in just fine. Use a shorty waterpump from Ford Motorsport or Snow White Limited and if you want an electric fan use a Cooling Components Inc. 2600 cfm shrouded fan, which is 2 5/8" deep at the motor, quiet and pulls like a freight train. I also have a trans cooler and A/C condenser - just notch the brace ahead of the radiator. I have a Heidts MII and still use the horseshoe to tie the front inner fenders together as well. Cutting a firewall should always be a last resort.
I am using the Ford Motorsport Serpentine Short Water Pump Conversion Kit on the Sedan Delivery - www.summitracing.com/parts/fms-m-8501-a50/overview/. I went with the Ford Motorsport kit on the serpentine setup to use all the stock components that came with the 1993 5.0 HO engine in the SD. The Ford Motorsports part M8501-E351S shortens the engine by 1 3/4". Here is also shot showing the Snow White shorty pump conversion (on a 351C) but same kit for the Windsor - this is the kit sold by Speedway too. This is for standard rotation only - if you want reverse roatation serpentine then the Ford Motorsport kit is your only option. The Snow White pump is an aluminum German Opel 1.9 and is included in the kit. It is a beautiful top quality diecast housing and the crank pulleys are also available from Snow White in either two or three groove configuration. It shortens the engine up by 2". The Snow White pump exits on the p***enger size which means you can use a Chevy style radiator. The Ford pump exits on the driver side and uses a SBFord type radiator. This is the way to go for a Ford in a Ford without sacrificing your firewall and legroom.
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