NO firewall cutting involved... I did make a careful "slot" for the throttle pedal. It all fits including the hood, fan etc... Personally I got everything in place then adjusted the engine/gearbox back and forth with a jack until everything fit with some clearance then secured the K-member to the frame rails.
You DO need to cut if you are using the stock Model A diff/torque tube, this also brings the clutch/brake pedals backwrads reducing already tight legroom.
The firewall on my '29 Tudor avatar is not cut but the original builder in 1958 did set the '32 radiator and shell forward 1 1/2 inches because of the fan setup he used. Stock Model A rear end and '39 trans and 59ab engine. Dave
I'm by no means an expert, but I've been coming to terms with this as I'm installing a flathead in a '29 pickup. It's my understanding that an early flathead (pre-49) can be made to fit without cutting, as shown in wideglide74's post. You may need to notch the flange between the upper and lower firewall, depending on what fuel pump you use. This is why some guys (myself included) will reconfigure a later 8BA into early configuration--it shortens the overall engine length. If you don't want to move the radiator forward, you need to utilize a center gen-mount fan, or the dreaded electric fan. (Again, I'm still learning; we'll see how it goes...) I think there is a spacer available that will alleviate this problem.
I widened my '28's stock recess while simultaneously eliminationg some of the "warts". The only additional sheetmetal besides the stock firewall was an 18 gauge 9"x9" piece added to the center. There's plenty of room for a 354 Hemi. Hope this helps.
Thanks and keep them coming. I am using an 8ba and I’m going to shorten the torque tube. F1 crossmember and 39 3 speed.My buddy has a 29 RPU with and 8ba and stock model A torque tube At this point I’m going to go close enough to the axle ubolts so that I can get the fan belts on. I may even go closer that that and if I need to change a belt I’ll just take the ubolts off to do it. I feel like I’ll not have to cut the fire wall if I’m that close. Using a 59a would make this way easier
Mine looks exactly like @wideglide74, small hole for gas pedal only. Admittedly the p***enger side head is nearly touching the firewall on my roadster but I wanted a stock hood and grill shell.
I wanted to keep original look of firewall, use stock hood top and make room for Red Ram Hemi. So i came up with this idea (maybe bad idea), i drilled spotwelds off and moved whole firewall about 2 inches back. Still in progress to spot weld it back with stripe of sheat metal. Of course you can not use original gas tank with this set up.
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