Hi Guys, Im gathering info on how to modify the firewall on my 40 Ford coupe in order to fit in a 302 Ford engine and a T5 transmission. I may also want to consider backing the engine with an AOD (because I'll grow old one day). I've seen that a lot of guys don't modify their firewall at all. Car will have an MII suspension Can you guys share pictures of your 40 Ford with FORD engines, and what is needed to better accomodate the 302. I'm new to this kind of modifications and could no find may Ford powered fortys. This is what my firewall look like right now. Thanks a lot!!!!
I'm in the process of finishing a similar project. I'll be the first to admit that I trimmed a bit too much out of the firewall! However there are 3 positive things.. -the cut out portion was a little smashed up, not nearly as nice as yours -the engine and transmission will slide in and out bolted together. -it is possible to make a removable ****** hump to fix that hole! More details when you're bored... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=742104 This guy was able to do it without cutting as much! Good luck! TP
^^^ That'll be mine - no cut to firewall. Use a shorty water pump - Ford Motorsports or Snow White Ltd (www.snowwhiteltd.com). radiator is 2-5/8" thick and I have just installed a Cooling Components Inc (www.coolingcomponentsinc.us.com) fan and shroud - pulls a genuine 2600 cfm. I have plenty of clearance between the fan and the water pump pulley. I notched the radiator support brace to move the radiator forward and have a Mustang II front with the horseshoe inner fender support bracket in place and yes it has an AOD. You can do it without cutting the firewall - just plan it ahead....
Ahh I was wondering what suspension you had. With the stock transverse spring crossmember, the engine is as low and almost as forward as possible. The mustang crossmember would definitely give the engine breathing room. TP
Ford made a 283? Never knew that - ya learn something every day.... Okay, I shot a few ****py cellphone pics showing the notch in the front radiator brace. This is notched 1.25" - do not notch any deeper or the hood locking mechanism will not clear the radiator - note paint scuffs from the locking latch on the top tank: Here is the clearance between the CCI fan shroud and the waterpump snout - 1". The CCI fan with shroud is 2-5/8" deep max at the fan motor. This is just a godsend for this application. The photo below shoes the rearmost cylinder head to firewall clearance. I can get my fingers between the head and the firewall. the overall length of the SBF with the Ford shorty water pump is 27", which makes it narrower and shorter than a 283.... I mounted my finned trans cooler in front of the radiator and still have plenty of room for an A/C condenser. I am paranoid about good cooling, so an air deflector goes on top to insure that incoming air is channeled through the radiator. So yes it is all possible if you select the right components for your build....
FWIW 40 Ford coupe showed up at the NSRA meet in Okla City with what appeared to be very minor cutting to the splash apron for the alterrnator to install a dohc Ford modular engine with ac. Car maintaines I beam axle and looks very original from the outside. Granted, I did not see how the steering shaft made its way by the engine. May have had to use that chain drive steering offset. A guy that runs a hot rod shop in OKC is in the process of installing a sohc Ford in a forty Ford coupe. Did not require cutting firewall, splash aprons and the trans cover fit without modification. He has installed independent front. Just wish I had a forty Ford to try this. Jack
Thanks for your input guys, Weasel and TP I appreciate the pics and they have been very helpful. Hopefully the weekend crowd will chime in with some more pics.There should be more guys running Fords in their fords right? =P Regards Fernando
Any more pics? Another question arose, should I start thinking to change the X-member with this setup?
Mine has the stock X member with the AOD installed. The T5 is smaller than the AOD so either way you should not need to change it....
In a 40 Fordtruck, unmodified firewall, not keeping surpintine or efi. 302 with a t5 pulled from a fox body. Just put it in to tack motor mounts, center section and trans mount in. Will finish cab and keep saving up for motor. Let me know if you need any other photos. I'd be more than happy to show you how I messed it all up.
HI Fat. Do you have any photos of the finished installation of the engine and transmission. Thanks, Joe
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