Not sure if Im doing this or not. The car is a full fendered, full hooded '31 Model A coupe with a deuce radiator shell and stock front suspension. Any problems putting a 265 or 283 in it? Firewall/radiator clearances, front suspension etc?... Thanks, -Dean
You'll have to recess the firewall, if for nothing else than distributor clearance. Motor mounts are all over the place - you can find a front plate mount (similar to early Corvette, but then you'll have to use some bellhouse mounts, you don't want the engine to sag in the middle with only the very front and the rear ****** mount for support - best setup is side-mount, but I don't think you'll find an early 265/283 with the block engine mount holes - Chev started using side mounts in 59 (I believe), so any 265/283 will have to be a very late engine (I think 265s were still available in SWs in 59). If you're using a stock A-bone frame, don't forget to box it, or you'll have more headaches than you want. 350s are so prolific (for those of you in Rio Linda, that means there's a LOT of them), perhaps you should consider finding one of those with the motor mount bolt bosses already in place. My A has a TCI frame, and a *****in firewall...and everything just works swell. Good luck on your project...post some photos as you progress. dj "there's NO business like GO business"
I have mounted my engine in my 29 A (partial build at this point - ch***is and cowl). Moved the front crossmember forward 2.5 inches and cut a little out of the firewall to make room for the distributor. Used side mounts, made them myself but Ch***is Engineering has some nice ones that are inexpensive. If you don't move the front crossmember, you'll definately need to recess the firewall - roughly 3 inches or so. But that is in a 28-29, a 30-31 may be worse because the firewall seems to potrude forward some. Not sure. Thanks, Mike
friends '30 with a stock grille had to change firewall. made one from flat sheet welded to the band and the top corners became the dizzy recess.
An old trick on the '30-'31 Model A's was to reverse the firewall-this will gain you about 3-4 inches. Just my $0.02
Just a note on firewall reversal. I have done that to my A pickup. In retrospect, I would not do it again, only because you lose a TON of leg room. The only thing that saves me is Im short. (I knew being short would come in handy someday!!!)
Pay close attention to the pictures--I have a full fendered model A with the cowl and the front crossmember in the original position, using a small block chev engine. You will need a minimum 4" recess in the firewall. You will have to buy or fabricate new engine mounts (side mounts off engine block to framerails are shown here). There is also a ton of ch***is work required for this conversion.
i found a picture, the two top corners of the stock firewall reversed and welded back together is the recess.
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