This may stir up a little Hokey dust but i just gotta throw this out there. So I'm building out a 29 roadster and following the traditional rule book i suppose. Ive used the jalopy search recently to get ideas and placement for installing flatheads in the model A frame and most the "AV8" build threads i find, they start out with the model A frame and end up with a 32 frame or home built. SO! Is it still considered an AV8 if its not on a model A frame?!!
Here is my issue with that set up. The 32 is all ready to go for the flathead, plenty of clearance so no cross members need to be cut, no firewall issues or adding a K member..... these are all hurdles i am finding out as i build this roadster, i believe thats what makes it a real AV8 build...just my opinion,.
I assume you've seen this thread? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/model-a-roadster-highboys-on-model-a-frames.322162/ All using Model A frames. There's no real governing body that decides the definition of what an A/V8 is so there's no "correct definition" but I've always thought of it as a Model A body and Model A frame with a flathead V8 swapped into it.
Just look at the license plate on the Bud Bryan 1929 roadster. It reads " 29A V8 ". About as traditional as it gets.
The 32 Ford featured the first V8 flathead motor, so putting a model A roadster body on a Deuce chassis created an AV8. Bud Bryan's roadster has a 32 frame. I've always considered this combination a true A V8. I may be wrong but I'm never unsure!
And, apparently this was why the '32 grill/shell originally migrated to the model A. After the flahead made it's way to the model A (using either the model A chassis or by simply swapping the model A body onto the V8 '32 chassis) the new "hotrod" needed a radiator with dual inlets and outlets. The cheapest way to accomplish this was using the rad from the '32 acquired at a wrecking yard...often with the shell/grill attached. It wasn't necessarily about the zoomy '32 look...it was about the rad! This was described by an old timer that was there at the time.
I too have always thought this was thee definition of AV8: So, anytime you put an A body onto a V8 chassis it's an AV8? 1934 is okay then too? Even a 1936 chassis? Howzabouta 1946? Where's the imaginary line? Just playing the devil's advocate here, don't take me toooo seriously.... I've always thought putting a flathead V8 into an A frame was super easy. I mean guys without the internet did it... Hook the tranny to the torque tube, four mounting points on the engine and tranny, some home fabbed brackets and insulators, move the steering gear over, build a pedal box. Then the standard hydraulic brake conversion and mods to the firewall if necessary. If you blow up the A diff then you cut down a V8 unit and hack off the old diff's spring brackets, bolt or weld them to the top on the new diff. Easy peasy! The radiator always seemed like the stumbling point to be honest, because you either have to be lucky to have a capable radiator shop, spend some money for something nice or hang a $170 eBay Chinese one in there. In the end it's your car, so build what you'd like. A '29 roadster on a '32 frame is one of the sexiest combinations you can put together, the way the frame and cowl post sweep go together...
So, the term A-V8 was coined when the Ford flattie was essentially the only V-8 that greasy hot rodders would be able to afford plus it was an easy swap. Technically an A with a hemi would be an A-V8 huh?
Boy it must be a slow night for some of you guys. Its simply a traditional term for the A body with a flat head V-8. Using the A body and Ford flathead V-8 with a 34 frame or a 46 frame its still could be called your "AV-8" Using a Hemi I doubt would ever be recognized the same. But hey give it a try and see what others think. But if the Hemi is an ARDUN then it would be an "AV-8" in my book . Ronnieroadster
It's not hard to make an AV8. Start at the back and work your way forward and you will eliminate many mismeasurement problems. My avatar car was put together with 90% salvaged parts of various production years. Not pretty, perhaps but folks think it's way cool. Oh, and it has a hand formed hood top now, too. It's a lot of fun.
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