Hello everyone. This is my first post on this forum so please forgive me for the poor writing skills. Recently I acquired my grandfathers 1930 Model A Pickup. He had it restored in the late 90's and its been in storage ever since. Its not in great condition but I've got it running after some work. I'm not quite sure what I want to do with this truck as I am only 24 and like some v8 power and dont see myself driving around in a stock 30's truck . For sentimental reasons I do not want to sell it but at the same time I would hate for it to sit around to rot. . Essentially what I am getting at is that I think that I should engine swap it. What modifications would i have to make to do so. I'm thinking a sbc. From what I've read I would need to box the frame, modify the fire wall and swap in a stronger rear end. Im no fabricator but I have a welder and I'm a quick learner. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Welcome. That's a very good start you have there. Maybe drive it stock for a bit while you do some research. Cab big enough for you? Have you considered what it might cost to convert? Do you care? There is a lot to consider. There are lots of builds here on this sight to help answer all your questions. Do some poking around here to get you started. A good book for you to purchase is a "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod" by Bishop/Tardel. Just some thoughts.
Tough spot to be in. At your age I’d want to hotrod it, at my age I’d be looking at a T5 conversion and hydraulic brakes and spiffing up the banger. Good luck!
Mmmm, "not a fabricator" are your key words here. You're talking a LOT of work, a lot of measuring, buying the correct materials, cutting, forming, yeah, welding. Do your grandfather a favor...DON'T learn building skills on his car. Either farm it out to a "good" builder, or drive it like it is. Mike
I disagree... Lots of info here on doing the SBC swap. Half the fun is the build and learning new skills. Im sure your grandfather would be ok with you making it "your" truck!
you have a great start... i have read of a bunch of guys here that have a similar quandry... you mentioned a few ch***is mods, maybe make it drivable and pick up another A frame... learn to weld on the new frame ... if sbc, t5, open drive are the plan i would step the rear of the new frame now, don't need to lower the frame now but later would be easier... you can sell the stocker after you put the truck body on the new frame... maybe drop a lesser body on the stock frame...
My personal opinion here is to buy another frame and build it separately from the truck. When the complete new ch***is with drivetrain is all finished, then just unbolt the body from the original frame and bolt it on the new one. Reasons are, the old ch***is is valuable all intact in one piece, and you'll use almost none of the original drivetrain, steering, brakes and suspension if you do an SBC swap, or you could keep it in case you ever wanted to put it back to stock (which is unlikely, I don't know of anyone ever doing that, but you could). It also keeps the truck intact the whole time you're doing the build, the body swap could be done in a day or two.
My grandfather said he doesn't care what I do with it. I dont feel bad modifying it because it was restored in a rush and was poorly done. I have plenty construction and some automotive experience but I enjoy learning new skills. Thanks for the replies. Looks like I've got more research to do.
That right there,is what too follow for what to do !!!***** As for box the frame,depends on how good it still is ,an how big a V8&HP you want to add. If stock frame is pretty much rust free an crack free,then it can hold about 250HP with the new cross members adding to it. After that Box for sure though.
As you said it was your grandfather's truck, and it has sentimental if you change now some day you make look back and regret changing it. My advice it to get it running, maybe updating to 39-48 Ford. Drive it and see how you like it. You can always collect parts and change it latter. About 15 years ago (when I was 24) my dad had a chance to sell the last of his Holman Moddy parts form his racing days, some that he had run on his car. Before he sold them he checked with me to see if I had any interest, at the time I was totally P.O.ed with auto racing and told him it was O.K. to sell them. Today I wish I had those parts not just because of their value but because they were parts my dad raced with.
Well my advice is go for it but recommend getting some parts first before you blow the truck apart. Looks like a nice truck and you can make it look more like a hotrod in stock form. Does the truck drive now? I say get her running and do a few thing to hotrod it. Lower the truck a bit swap out the wire wheels for 1940 ford style wheels with a rubber rake 7:50-16 and 5:50-16 tires. First no need to box the frame unless you plan on racing and have a powerful motor and like to do burnouts. Nothing wrong with a sbc and what’s great is so many older streetrod guys are swapping out the old 283,327 and 350s . Try to get a package deal on a motor and transmission. Heck if the guys doing a 1957 Chevy get the rearend as well. I’m a bit more old school so using old transmissions are fine and even a good old 3 speed is good. The rearend has to be short narrow in the 57 to 62 inch width. A early ford bronco 1966-1977 is perfect but harder to find because of the popularity. Lots of knowledge on the hamb and plenty of guys willing to help ..
I agree with Squablow. Invest in a new ch***is. The original isn't very strong for a V8 unless you box it if it needs it. And even then a ton more modifications will still need to be done. That's a lot of money and by the time you get to where you want to be on it, you'll probably have invested what you could have for an updated ch***is with better safety in mind.
$----it's only $. If, if, you got it go for it-ch***is, sbc, gears, etc. If not, (like i was at that age) then consider getting it running well as is, then take your time figuring out where you want to go with it. Maybe start collecting the parts. You'll be surprised at the folks that'll look at it, ask questions, and maybe even give you leads on parts they have available-or maybe even give them to you. Once its blown apart, you'll be in for a long and expensive process.
Here's a story very much like yours. You can get through it faster by only reading the posts by the original poster. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/building-my-first-roadster-in-san-francisco.1204990/
Looks like a nice truck with a lot of potential. Many different ways to go with it. Where are you located? Best thing to do is find a local car / hot rod club and join up. Get it running and start driving it to local car shows. You will meet a lot of experienced knowledgeable people that could help you. You might find some local HAMB members that are willing to help. I would if I was close by.
I know this will sound like a 1-800-credit card solution, but think about buying a complete Model A ch***is already set up by a pro shop. A rolling frame with everything in place: motor mounts, trans mounts, cross members, front and rear suspensions, (hydraulic) brakes, and steering. Then all you need to do is paint the ch***is, swap the body over, add your wheels and tires, wire it up, connect some things and add some new parts as needed for cooling and fuel to match your engine. It may cost a little more, but given your lack of hot rod building, this is an achievable goal with a reasonable timeframe. It allows you to work with what you can do and your skills and tools. Have fun and take your grandfather for a ride when you are done. Realistically the only thing you are really paying for extra is the labor setting up that ch***is. You still need to buy the parts whether you build the ch***is or the shop does. Sure you are probably dealing with new parts vs maybe using swap meet stuff for DIY. But in the end, you get a nice hot rod that will drive right and be reliable.
First off, welcome, second, put where you live in your Avatar, it helps when it comes to buying/selling parts, third, since the pickup has a family connection, my advice is to build some other vehicle first, the skills you learn along the way will help you build the pickup better. But if you want to have some real fun, rip the cab, bed and fenders off that ch***is and slap on a model T roadster body.
I'd say get it running and drive it some as it is for a while until you come up with a solid plan on what you want to do. They aren't as impressive appearance wise or to onlookers but there are plenty of V6 engine and trans combo that will fit in real well and push that truck down the freeway faster than you want to ride in it.
First off welcome. Looks like a nice truck. If you ask for opinions on this forum you'll get a bunch of them. A v8 swapped model A can be as simple or as complicated as you let it be. Im no expert but Ive built some hot rods. Heres what I would do Keep it all early Ford. Why? With very little modification it'll be almost a bolt together. Theres many cool engines and trans and all kinds of cool **** you can do, but your first hot rod if you keep it simple will be something you can enjoy in months instead of years. Run the rear axle youve got, put 1940 Ford brakes on both front and rear, early Ford 3 speed transmission, flathead v8. You can buy a kit from Old Yankee Speed Co that will bolt the engine and trans in and also allow you to use your existing pedal ***embly. Youd need to buy a radiator for either engine. This is as straight forward as it gets. Build a wild exotic car next time. Trust me a simple car on the road is more fun than a wild custom rod in the garage in pieces.
Running and driving, keep it together while you build another ch***is. You'll have fun driving it both ways.
Hey welcome, ……back in the 40-50’s when these were $50; swapping in a later engine was no big deal. 99% of the parts needed was in the wrecking yards and with a couple of buddies in a week or 2 you were out tooling around having fun. Today $20,000 is only a start. Engine, trans, rear end , drive shaft, brakes, wiring, paint , interior, front end, wheels, tires, instruments, fuel system, you definitely have your work cut out. To me this one should be preserved or restored to original because it looks all to be there and great for its age. . Tough decision since it’s family… good luck.
It sounds like your Grandfather is on board with whatever you want to do, so get him on involved with getting it running and driving in its current build style. During this time discuss your thoughts with him and get his input. Once you've got it back on the road, drive it to determine how it suits you: cab space, visibility, ride, overall comfort and drivability. THEN determine what route you want to go: mild modification (hydraulic brakes, improved lighting), improved steering, more power (a Chevy II a cylinder makes a good swap) or a more radical build. Evaluate and improve your knowledge/skill set as required to achieve your goal. Research (on line and the printed word), as well as shows, swap meets, etc. This isn't rocket science and has been done successfully by thousands of guys over the last 90+ years, but there have been almost as many stall/abandoned projects by guys that have gotten in over their heads, or have run out of time and $$. This car is a great opportunity for you to enjoy YOUR car, YOUR way, just don't rush into the project without a plan and clear understanding of what's involved. Good luck!!
You asked for advise and have got a lot of it. I would echo the "enjoy it the way it is for now", at least until you have a concrete plan and the finances to complete it. Don't chance it becoming another uncompleted project. That will give you a chance to experience the truck the way your Grandfather did and also give you time to acquire parts for your eventual build. The best deals are had when you wait for them to come along and you have "cash in hand". I do like the idea of building a new ch***is independent of the truck and swapping it out after. Good luck and have fun with it!
https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...isg4T9prj2AhW-4zgGHQmcAT8Q5bgDegQIAhA-&adurl= Soak up all the information you can to make informed decisions. Depending on available $$$ have you considered building the original motor with hop up gear ? The ultimate being full oil pressure and twin carbs along with an overhead valve conversion ? Thus retains your grandfather original concept. Its only money. A hot 4 banger will surprise you and keep up with free way traffic. Stopping may be another issue at 70 mph.
Opinions are like belly ****ons, everybody has one but their usefulness was over pretty quickly. Find a car club or two with model A's, one with mostly stock cars and one with hot rods. Join up and attend meetings and events, at 24 most clubs will be excited to see some new blood coming into the hobby and will want to show you their cars and give you rides. Hell some "old guys" may even let you drive one of their cars after they see your truck and realize you are really interested. Find something you really like and then go for it! It may be a warmed up banger with a T5, a flathead V8, a SBC V8 or something else may really speak to you. Don't get in a hurry to tear your truck apart, once it dosen't run or drive it is really easy to get lost in a project, ask me how I know. Do what makes you happy! Mark
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