COE Help with opinions.

I have a 41 chevy , I am looking at putting it on a 2001 chevy 3500 cutaway van. I have done lots of comparing since I have cabs off of both Trucks. To start off with I want to keep the engine under the cab. It is an 8.1 L engine. From all the measurements it appears that with a doghouse in the cab there won't be much room for my feet. The engine is about 4 inches off center toward the p***enger side. Has anyone done this kind of transplant with the engine under the cab? I want to have this be a very drivable conversion. Lo

 

perhaps wrong place... ....?

 

My 51 Ford is on a E350 econline ch***is, the engine is a 351w. It is offset and I left it that way. The poor p***enger only has about 4 inches foot space. The drivers side I moved the brake pedal to the left side of the steering column to give enough room for a gas pedal. I think it is going to work out, but I have not built a new dog house yet. But I have driven it this way.

 

I considered leaving the engine up front in mine but it was just too damn tight. The stock footwells were tiny to start with. Making them smaller wasn't desirable to me. I've seen hotrods set up like Flatrod mentioned with the steering column between the gas pedal and the brake pedal. My first thought is "will I fawk up in a panic stop situation?".

 

Yes, that.....the panic stop thing.

 

Best way is to just set the cab up there and see where things fall. I bet I had the cab on and off mine a dozen times. My truck is a true cab over engine....but the cab ('51) is larger than yours. Still, I have 3 pedals and lowered the cab as well. My engine(6 cyl) actually sets more inside the cab than under. Foot space is tight but not horrible
Yeah I know, kinda apples and oranges, but might give you some ideas

 

I have been driving automatic cars for years left footed, I don't think it will bother me. But if I had 3 pedals, I would not have put the brake pedal over there. I would have changed the steering column to something else to make it work. Here is a rough early on picture.

 

I didn't use a conventional steering column because my steering box is oddly located. The first picture is the final layout, second picture was an early mock-up before the firewall and floor were installed.

 

Thanks, I guess I am changing my mind all the time . I think I would be most happy with something that is very comfortable to drive. My 41 pickup has less than 3000 miles on it, it is stock. 2 years later I finished my 46 which is on an s10 frame, it now has 8000 miles on it, much easier to drive and way more comfortable .

 

Are those rear fenders you're using for the doghouse? You are one creative MF`r!!

 

..as for comfortable to drive... I think you're spot on... That 1940 Ford COE beside mine in the pic I posted doesn't get driven cuz it's all stock and the 5:6x gears are just too damn low for the street.

 

Thanks. They are the back half of front fenders. Heavily modified........

 

I was thinking about your dilemma.... And while my first thought is move the engine back, it's easy... My next one was "oh yeah, he's got a complete setup (ch***is, drivetrain, etc) whereas I was installing a Chevy engine in a Dodge ch***is"..... So, I'm probably not the best judge of what to do... free advice is worth every penny...

 

Along those lines, those of you that have the engine behind the cab are you happy with how it drives. I have decided I have to make this vehicle very drivable, I am sold on the coe, I am going to do this, I want to do it right! All opinions are welcome especially first hand experience good or bad, I want to hear it. I don't want to reinvent the wheel!

 

Other than not being able to solve the 80 MPH restriction yet, mine drives quite nicely. I think it handles even a bit better than my 2017 Ram. I don't have any heat in the cab issues unless I mistakenly leave one of the gl*** panels unlatched. Unfortunately, this is all subjective. Maybe I need a roadtrip to Alaska!