Forgive me for not knowing where to find this info but can someone point me to where I can find step by step instructions on putting an 8ba or 59ab in my 1930 highboy roadster? websites? Books? Personal advice? my banger is dead and it’s time for the v8. I ask about both v8 installs because I own both engines and unsure on which one I’ll install. thanks for any help!
Vern Tardel's books are an invaluable resource: https://www.verntardel.com/store/c16/Books.html I believe you get a discount with a HAMB Alliance membership as well! Also, Old Yankee Speed Co. makes a kit that seems to take most of the guesswork out of mounting a flathead & a toploader into a stock Model A frame: https://www.millworkshotrod.com/collections/solutions-for-your-traditional-av8-hot-rods Good luck!
That book is known to have incorrect measurements and hole sizes for the motor mounts. Use it as a guide but you will still need to mock up all of your bits and pieces to verify that everything is playing nicely so it will work together. Don't be in a hurry to do this since it sounds like it's your first time, it is not a difficult job but it can frustrating when things don't work out right away. The engine, once in place, looks like it was made for the swap.
I'm in the process of doing this now following Tardel's formula (mostly). Feel free to poke through my build thread - this is a first for me so take it with a grain of salt.
I used the Tardel book when I built my avatar in the mid 90's and when I built my 30 Sport Coupe about five years ago but changed a few things. I built a rear crossmember for the transmission from 2"x2" square tubing, used the stock Model A pedals and a few other small changes but the book is a great help. As noted in the other replies check all the measurements on your car, every car is a little different.
Check out @IRON Trap. On his YouTube channel, he put a flathead in an RPU that turned out pretty cool.
I believe he used the Old Yankee Speed Co. kit. Here's another video of someone using the OYSC mounts:
Another source that will take a bit of time but prove to be full of tidbits is to go to the top of this page, click on the little magnifying gl*** to the left and type in AV8. Read the results. This will be even more help if you either copy and paste stuff into a do***ent on your computer of write it down on paper (the vintage HAMB approved way!).
Wifey bought me the Tardel book right after I finished the roadster and I definitely checked it out. Turns out I did a lot of the same things that the book illustrates. Hardest parts (to me) was pedals, steering set up and angle, and shortening the torque tube. If I can do it then you can do it. "Something from nothing 29 roadster build" good luck and ask many questions
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