Technical Flathead 8BA vs 59AB spacing

Hello,

I have a rebuilt 1950 8BA flathead that I plan to use in my 1930 AV8 build. I am tempted to convert it to a 59AB as I like the look a bit better. I see there are various threads on the conversion process.

My question is:

Do you gain space between the engine and radiator with the 59AB setup vs the 8BA setup?

I have seen some references that lead me to believe that there is a space advantage with the 59AB setup.

Thanks,

Brian

 

The space advantage is due to the distributor. Using a crab distributor will give you the most room. That will involve changing the front cover and cam.

 

Flatjack,

Thanks for the information. It is exactly what I was looking for.

Brian

 

Space depends on the actual belt/pulley choices, with the shortest rigs being possible with the early engine.
8BA types have a number of belt rigs, nut all stock ones use 2 belts. If you eliminate the forward belt, which you can do with truck pumps but not some of the p***enger rigs, the engine remains shorter than early possibilities because belt and pulleys have to clear the sideways distributor.
Early engines have the rear belt as far back as is possible. Most common rig for single belt is '39 type generator with fan on generator or an idler made from generator.
You need either a '39 type single sheave pulley or any '40-48 type with forward sheave trimmed or just left empty and '37-48 pumps, requiring one hole above each pump on late block to be plugged.

 

Bruce,

Thank you for the detailed reply. If I understand you correctly, when you say "early engine" are you referring to the 59AB?

I am attempting to attach couple of pictures of the current setup. The engine is a 1950 truck engine and I believe that it has the truck pumps on it.




If I can change the current fan setup, would I gain the extra room with this 8BA setup that would be close to the gains that I get with the 59AB conversion?

I also plan to switch over to a 12V alternator like the Powermaster unit if that impacts the setup at all.

Thanks,

Brian

 

With one belt it will still be longer than earlies. First belt is in same place on all '32-48, with crank snout itself being 1" longer from '39-53. To refer to your pic, that first pulley will be significantly further back with early parts.

 

Dang, wish I had known it was ok to just plug those two holes.....I had this all bolted up before realizing the two holes were not covered, panicked, traded out for later truck pumps that are not as shallow, now read your post and it is ok to plug those two holes?! That cost me knotching crossmember (tubing/bulldog setup) to move rad forward. Wish I had posted question on this forum first!

 

When putting either setup in your hot rod you need to plan on the space needed for a fan too. Lots of varieties of fan setups possible, with different lengths and heights.

 

I'm running an 8BA with truck pumps, single crank pulley and an early fan mounted to the generator. Belt is in the stock position and clears the distributor, still had to notch the bottom of the firewall about 1 1/2 inches. Had an alternator mounted when I took the picture but have a 12 volt generator mounted now and considering a PowerGen.

 

Thanks for those photos Model A Gomez, I needed that info for mine. I was figuring that I needed to modify the firewall like that.

 

Thank you Bruce for the additional information.

Thank you Alchemy!!

Excellent pictures Model A Gomez. A picture speaks a thousand words.

 

I'm currently running two PowerGens. One on our roadster and one on our 49 sedan. They are pricey but ya can kiss those cl***ic charging problems goodbye.......