All: Have read all the threads (almost) on keeping the original firewall in a 1935-40 Ford and/or installing an aftermarket firewall. I have a '36 Coupe. Thinking bout installing an sbc with an automatic. If an aftermarket firewall is used for a sbc (around 3" recess) should you still use a non-hei distributor? Or will the recess allow you to use the HEI? I'll probably use an aftermarket but oem style radiator with a puller fan. Appreciate the input.
I have one with a SBC in it and it has an unaltered firewall. I am running a regular distributor, not HEI and it is very close to the firewall. I think with a 3" recess you could probably get away with running an HEI, but it will be close and you'll of course need to run an electric fan. Personally, if you're going to go through all the trouble and expense to do the swap, I would run an MSD distributor/box and call it macaroni. www.ironandsteele.com
I ran a stock firewall in my 36 with a SBC on C.E. mounts and a Mallory UniLite electronic distributor. Ample room between cap and wall AND was able to run a Holley fuel pump without nothing the cross member. FWIW, Mitch
I have a sbc in my '35, stock firewall. The R/H head is the closest point. Points distributor easily clears. Short water pump and mechanical fan. Is an HEI worth the loss of 3" interior space along with the work of cutting out the original and installing an aftermarket firewall; when aftermarket small body electronic ignitions are available? Are points that hard to use?
Rich: You bring up good points. Changing out that firewall is a big deal. Now that I think about the loss is interior space the non HEI distributor is the way to go. Thanks
There are lots of ready to run built in module distributors that are the same size as the points style. Plus, they are not as **** ugly as the HEI. And, if you have to modify the firewall, you can usually get away with just a half moon shaped recess just for the distributor. This pic has a recessed firewall which you won't need, but it is the only pic I have of the half moon distributor clearance deal. Yours will be smaller. Good luck and post lots of pics. -Abone.
Whoa. Cleaned up and painted that firewall will be cool. Yes, when this project starts I will post a **** load of pics. Thanks Bone
Beautiful car! I have not done this, but my understanding is that a small dist and short water pump allows the SBC to fit without cutting, which is one of the big reasons why it was so popular to swap. Everything else in the 1950s was bigger in at least one dimension and required hacking. That short water pump and pulleys is the big part up front to run a mechanical fan.
I did a 36 sedan. Didn’t cut the firewall. Came time to put the Walker radiator in an bam! No fan room with a short pump. Used two 10 inch fans. I’m in Texas and the car ran hotter than I wanted. Driving I was fine. At idle hot weather it ran over 210. Friends told me to set the firewall back. Would have had plenty of room inside.
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