Have a little bit of a head scratcher going on with stuffing a SBC in full fendered 26' T coupe with only 20" between rails ? Sitting between rad and cowl is not so much an issue as getting height and mounts on it , anyone here been there? measurements? ,pics?,opinions? all appreciated Cheers Shane
This has been done many times, but is always sort of a ten-pounds-in-a-five-pound-bag problem. Every time you move something to make one place fit, there is an interference somewhere else. Before you get the whole deal finish welded, make sure you are aware of all the compromises you had to make to fit the motor in.
While mine isn't 20 inches, 23" is a bit of a tough one as well. I made custom mounts and a custom crossmember that solved all of my issues. Hope that helps, even if just for inspiration.
My sediments exactly, why I asked to minimize the trail n error if at all possible. Is veryyyyyy tight steering box, fuel pump and headers ---up down forward back--full fendered making it a lill tougher ! Thanx for reply AnimalAin
If at all possible was tryign to stay inside the hood curtains but maybe so Unclee--Nice ride Gary T u have any build pics ?? as I see yours is in but exhaust outside as well--Thanx Probesport few ideas now getting the hamster moving lol
Yeh,I couldn't see any wat to run exhaust inside if the rails--maybe stock ramhorns,or block huggers,but It is so close and would have affected my steering set-up that I didn't enen try it--plus I like the lakes headers--no exaust out the back,I run baffles in the pipes (sometimes) especialy when wife is with me
I hear ya there Gary --seen guy from Hart Hot Rods do up a T and appeared he dished out top of rail for shortys to fit and went with power rack up front (not for me) but is an option on cupping out top of rail for pipe to go up thru--so anymore pics on your Gary ?
A while back my computer crashed and I lost tons of pictures They might be in there somewhere,but I haven't been able to retrieve them $%^*^$# I have R&P steering,and don't think exaust inside would work with it
Chevrolet made all styles of exhaust manifolds over the years. Maybe find a good old junk yard, or a Chevy nut with lots of old parts or online selling sites. Also, lots of different steering set ups have been used over the years. Lots of guys used V6 and 4 bangers just because of room problems. If you are good with metal can always stretch everything several inches to give you more room. Remember, if it was easy everyone would be doing it. Post tech info with pics as you proceed with your project.
One thing that might make routing the exhaust a bit easier is if you open your thinking a little. I usually thing of headers or manifolds as needing to exit back and down. If you consider going forward before going back, you may find some otherwise unused volume that will solve a conflict with the steering or starter. Often, you can make this stuff happen by swapping manifolds side-to-side. Another thing to consider is single exhaust. A single 3 1/2 tube has the same flow area as twin 2 1/2 pipes; compatible mufflers are available these days, and the single pipe might be easier to find room for than one down each side. It does require some kind of crossover (crossunder?), but it could help solve part of the puzzle.
ya exactly --there is many options just finding the most effective one--keeping low enough for hood to fit is the other challenge--measure measure measure and measure again --did see set of pipes that did dump right at the back somewhere but could never find them again--had set of mounts from Welder Series but unlikely going to work so will most likely have to fabricate something alot different-will post a pic when I can ---H.A.M.B rules-thanx for all the help
shawn...my son just stuffed a chevy. s.b. in his 27T and you can forget about exaust staying inside the hood. but that's not the hard part. wait untell you try a 4 speed. now if yours is an automatic your home free. yea he should have goten a 29-32 frame. there much wider. but i must say he's little chopped coupe look's great...POP.
My frame is not a stock T frame,but is same width--I believe it has to be if your running fenders I recessed my firewall 5 1/2 " and I have 3" between snout of waterpump and rad. I cut my firewall like a doghouse to match chevy engine--almost had to do it twice---don't forget rightside valve cover sits back further than the other one. If U use a stick shift you will probably have to go with swinging pedels with a hyd clutch. Mine is turbo 350 and didn't have to put a hump in the floor! I have a 1" spacer under my carb,but if I use a 1 3/4" round air cleaner I can use the top of my hood,but hardly ever use it--loke it better without hood. I used cushion-type mounys from speedway--they worked out good. Got my rad from superior radiator in Mount Clemens Mich. It has 2 1" rows of tubes and is all welded no epoxy---never overheats--He sells on E-bay also,sometimes you might get a deal. I believe mine was made for a cutdown 32 grill shell If you notice,although I don't run pipes under the car,I still had to cut the apron a little to accomadate the down pipe flanges
<table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">1932 FORD CHOPPED 21 TALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR 2 ROW NEW FOR CHEVY MOTOR MERRY CHRISTMAS </td></tr><tr><td cl***="ipics-cell"><form name="ssFrm" action="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=280453976145" target="ssFrmWin" method="post"><input name="ssr" value="0" type="hidden"><input name="iurls" value="0#http://i.ebayimg.com/04#!Bh7E08gBGk~$(KGrHqMH-CkEsM!9fR+sBLLpqJfYh!~~_14.JPG#!Bh7E08gBGk~$(KGrHqMH-CkEsM!9fR+sBLLpqJfYh!~~_12.JPG" type="hidden"><input name="dtid" value="0" type="hidden"><input name="vs" value="1" type="hidden"><input name="sh" value="0" type="hidden"><input name="***le" value="1932 FORD CHOPPED 21 TALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR 2 ROW NEW " type="hidden"></form><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td cl***="vs_w-a"><center></center> Please wait Image not available Enlarge </td></tr></tbody></table> </td><td cl***="isumv1_5-cell"><form name="v4-2" id="v4-2" method="post" style="width: 97%;" action="http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MakeBid&_trksid=p4340.l1356&item=280453976145&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fromPage=4340&fb=2"><table cl***="vi-is1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="4" height="10"> </td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lbl">Item condition:</td><td colspan="3" cl***="vi-is1-clr">New</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" height="10"> </td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lbl">Time left:</td><td colspan="3" cl***="vi-is1-clr">22h 24m 3s (Jan 26, 201013:51:52 PST)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" height="10"> </td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lbl">Bid history:</td><td colspan="3" cl***="vi-is1-clr">5 bids[Refresh]</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" height="10"> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" cl***="vi-is1-bdr"> </td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lblp vi-is1-solidBg">Current bid:</td><td cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tbll">US $140.38</td><td colspan="2" cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tblb"> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" cl***="vi-is1-solid" height="10"> </td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lblp vi-is1-solidBg">Your maximum bid:</td><td cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tbll"><table cl***="vi-is1-prcp" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-prcs vi-is1-cur">US $</td><td><input size="8" maxlength="10" name="maxbid" id="v4-12" cl***="vi-is1-tet vi-is1-mb" type="text"></td></tr><tr></tr></tbody></table></td><td colspan="2" cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tblb">Place bid<input id="but_v4-17" name="" value="Place bid" ***le="" hidefocus="hideFocus" type="submit">Place bid</td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lblp vi-is1-solidBg"> </td><td colspan="3" cl***="vi-is1-solid">(Enter US $142.88 or more)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" cl***="vi-is1-solid" height="10"><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td width="50%"><hr cl***="vi-is1-hr"></td><td cl***="vi-is1-hrOr">or</td><td width="50%"><hr cl***="vi-is1-hr"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td cl***="vi-is1-lblp vi-is1-solidBg">Price:</td><td cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tbll">US $450.00</td><td colspan="2" cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tblb">Buy It NowBuy It NowBuy It Now</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" cl***="vi-is1-solid" height="10"> </td></tr><tr id="watchItemMiddleRow"><td cl***="vi-is1-solid"> </td><td id="watchLabelDiv" cl***="vi-is1-solid"> </td><td colspan="2" cl***="vi-is1-solid vi-is1-tblb"><****on id="watch****on" name="watch****on" type="****on" cl***="sfbtn">Watch this item</****on></td></tr><tr id="watchItemMiddleRow1"><td cl***="vi-is1-solid"> </td><td colspan="3" cl***="vi-is1-solid"><label id="watch****onStatus" cl***="vi-is1-hideDiv">Now watching in My eBay </label><label id="defWatchingText" style="display: none;">Now watching in My eBay </label></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" cl***="vi-is1-solid" height="10"> </td></tr><tr id="v4-31"><td colspan="4"><table cl***="r3 c gy-br" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><thead cl***=""><tr><td> </td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td cl***="r3_c"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td>You're Invited! 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I didn't have to use an electric fuel pump--there is room for a manual one----don't forget when cutting firewall ---leave enough space to remove distributor
holy **** Gary you are wealth of knowledge appreciate it and can see will be all over you like a cougar on a crippled chicken during this build !! lol The rad on ebay u posted fit in OEM rad shell ok?? Tonite is lego nite with the 8 yr old but back in shop tomorrow nite for a hard at it niite ---will keep you posted --looks like all will work out with some cuttin n fab work --tight tho have old drivetrain set in place for mock --and 4spd will be trial n error but will figure something out ---appears vega box will work ok so far --- Cheers Shane
Hey POP , Thanx for heads up on 4spd but that is already bolted to back of SBC so guess gonna find out the hard way ---the frame this in is so tight for running fenders had to stay in ford specs atleast till past cowl for fenders /aprons to work ---lol once past the cowl home free tons of room !! any pics of your son's ???? Cheers Shane
I'm almost positive the rad I showed you is the one I have--I didn't get ****** cooler in the bottom because of space ---mine is 22" high and 17 1/4 wide--fits good--had to notch front X-member for lower hose. Mine sits right in front of frame X-member,but my frame is afrermarket and with IFS,I have another X-member under that one,so it didn't hurt anything to notch it. That guy has other ones also,but usually they are buy it now---U might get a killer deal on the one I showed you if your ready to buy one now---if not there will always be others Gary
Which is why the Ford 289/302W was so popular in full fendered Ts - as early as 1915 (I'm thinking Steve Tansy's '1915 Pantera'), even with the narrower hood and smaller cowl. Nowadays you can shorten the overall length of the SBF by 2" so it is no longer than a SBC and still lighter and narrower.
Went at it a bit last nite ---looks like gonna work out ok --last time seen anything that tight was in highschool --got firewall cut out --seat riser and rear hump --positioned ready for mounts but have to cut them all up to make work right-Thanx for all help so far Gary and boys--will post pic for u as gets lill farther along !! Cheers Shane
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