I need ideas for my Model A firewall (w/ pics...)

O.K. I need some suggestions on engine placement and firewall construction on my 1931 Model A full fendered P.U. My plan is to use the old trick of cutting down a small wheel barrow tub for a recess. The motor that I'm installing is a 283 Chevy with a Mallory dual point distributor, a T-350, and I am planning on most of the stock firewall staying in place. My frame is fully boxed. I am doing this this way because funds are low, otherwise I'd just order the *****en Products floor/firewall kit and be done with it. Besides, I want this to be as traditional of a build as I can do, and that stuff wasn't available way back when. What should I be t*******/removing from the frame/firewall? Is there a certain dampner and lower pulley combination that I should use? Where is the best place to locate the motor mounts in relation to the front crossmember? The motor is of early to mid '60's vintage, and I am using side mounts as opposed to the earlier front mounts. Any help would be appreciated, and pictures of your firewalls would be great, too.

 

I've been doing some research on AV8 firewalls as well. I don't like the prefabed ones that are available. Do a search for "reversed Model A firewall". There are several post on them and its the best traditional look I've found so far.

 

Here was my answer. I like the look of the stock firewall and the stock wheel base.

 

http://usera.ImageCave.com/5w31a/

My bulkhead was cut and recessed and can take any type dizzy used with the SBC, hope this helps.
Brian

 

In '73 I cut and did all the work inside with aluminum , I didn't have to go back to far

 

The car still ran its stock gas tank, and had tons of fan clearence sbc 400ci.

 

Flip the stock one around or steel a wheel barrel..

 

The wheel barrel works good , and is cheap . True temper one from my local hardware.

 

wheel barrel firewall

 

Take it out, flip it around and put it in backwards... Looks cool and you can always flip it back later if you decide to do something different.

 

Reversed then recessed for a nailhead. The edges of the recessed area were hammerformed on the front and back corners to give a nice roll to the edge.



Used some of the pieces from the cut out area to continue the bead pattern. The reversed firewall requires a rework at the bottom to accomodate the toe kick.

Canuck