I'm looking at buying a Model A with the fourbanger in it still running and semi roadworthy. What can I expect the top speed to be out of a stock one? Can they be made to look cool? Are performance parts hard to find or should I just drop in the 50 flathead I've got and call it good? Sorry about the picture quality my camera ****s. The guy wants 1500 for it and I think im gonna go for it instead of trying to peice an A together peice by peice from the cowl I have now. Primo
are you looking at the same pics as I am damn right they look cool, lots of available speed parts (though not that cheap), and if you don't want it send it my way! $1500 for a running driving banger car is a killer deal. Top speed stock- about 55-60 depending on ratio in the rear. Hopped up touring motors- ignition, header, new carb and high comp head, b-cam are hitting 75 easy, more with overdrive. Those parts double the power output. Flatheads are zzzzzzzzz boring, though cool. Do it the hard way and hop the banger up I'm about halfway there now
I always thought that a Chevy2 4 banger would be neat to hotrod...............a lot of the SB (blastphomy) parts fit into it.
watch for the monthly banger meeting, next one should fire up in a few days (or do a past search for bangers) slowly building a following of 4 holers here.
Any tips on where to find parts for em? This picture has prretty much convimced me that I wanna run one. Thanks, Primo
Flathead V8s are cool, but they are the big thing now, and they are common in traditional rods. Don't be scared to run something different. I really like those two featured rat rods from a Rodder's Journal issue last year that had mid-'50s Chevy straight sixes in 'em. They had such character and they were so unique that I felt like I was punched in my face! If I wasn't discouraged about the custom fab work (mounts, firewall, cowl, etc) for installation and the fact that they are interesting to look at on only one of their two sides, then I would definietly drop a straight six in. Plenty of *** for a Model A and very cool and unique! Deluxe
http://www.handhantique.com/ http://www.vintageford.com http://www.reds-headers.com/ http://www.mikes-afordable.com/
Since you seem to know very little, go to ahooga.com every day and read all the posts. In a few months you will have a pretty good idea. My stock 31 ran 58 mph, then a 7:1 head and a brand new (not reground) B cam, then it ran 70. I am installing a 87 F-150 overdrive now with 39 Lincoln brakes. I wii post results when its going again. I rebuilt the rear axle and installed it yesterday. Today its on 3 wheels. As soon as I machine one more piece, it will be on all 4. I gotta re-***emble the O/D and install it. This morning I unbolted/disconnected everything to pull the engine/trans. I have been working on it every day for 4 months since I installed a dropped axle.
"I really like those two featured rat rods from a Rodder's Journal issue " hmmm, I dont think I have ever seen Rodders Journal feature a "rat rod".. Primo-That is a steal for that car. and I can see why that other pic inspired you. Four bangers rule, I would love to build one some time.
Primo, Excellent choice in posting...i've been wondering the same things myself, 1500 bucks is a damn bargain man...even though I don't have the cash now to do it i'd still snap it up. I'm more and more leaning towards a banger when I do finally every get the money and time to build a rod(or even buy something to start with first) good luck man.. Gray
For many years, the 4 cyl cars were faster than Henrys new flathead V-8s. It took a while for the hotrodders to learn what it took to make the V-8s run faster.
Grab it! That's a great deal. It will run around 50 comfortable right now. The pu's had a 4-11 in them. Normal ratio for everything else is 3-79. You can pick up 3-54 gears at Mac's or Snyder's, ect. for around $250. Makes it a lot nicer on the road. There's some reasonabe priced speed parts out there, just got to look. Butch
I'm in the planning stages of a banger project myself, and would like some input on transmission adapting. Chrisntx I see you went with the late 80's F150 od, I was thinking along those lines myself. I found the adapter to early V8 trans, from there you can adapt to whatever; http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/ModelAParts/Transmission/3937 I was wondering if it's possible to use the V8 flywheel. It bolts on, but I'm not sure if the disk spacing will work, starter compatability, etc. Has anyone done this? I have a nice Schiefer aluminum flywheel I would like to use, Is this going to be too light? The pressure plate weighs more than the flywheel.
Everyone cuts down the original flywheel, so I guess that means yours wont work. I plan to do a tech article on this and have a lot of pictires.
Everyone cuts down the original flywheel, so I guess that means yours wont work. I plan to do a tech article on this and have a lot of pictures. You dont use Snyders adapter. Use the A bellhousing or better the AA bellhousing. I used AA
Found a picture of an A flywheel cut for a V8 pressure plate, looks like the disk location would be fine with the V8 flywheel, but the starter ring gear is way out of place. I did find that A, B and V8 through '48 use the same ring gear though. I look forward to your tech article.
i dont know if it has been said but if you dont buy it let me know i will get it. that is a great deal. building a banger myself and it is great fun.
i just bought a car with a B motor in it...its all hopped up...but i just ran 75-80 mph about 1/2 throttle just cruising along in 3rd gear... zach http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127636
Thanks for all the imput guys im deffinately gonna get it, just don't know what style of A i wanna build now. Because of my new local im thinking moonshiner. Primo
the v8 flywheel can be adapted but it requires reversing the bendix and supporting it with a 3rd bearing ay the end so it wont bend the starter shaft
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