Projects Jalopy...which motor...which steering box

When C Cabs were popular small block chebbys were the most popular motor for them. The Pinto mill was more of a resto rod motor.

(big nailheads were also popular on the show car circuit)

 

I kind of remember all of that...Gene.

 

Hey, Gene;
If eventually flipping it is in the cards, the sbc/pg will be just fine. A turbo on the pinto will also plaster a large grin on your face, & will fit like an oem 4banger. & a stick will add to the fun, C4 maybe not so much. But easy driving... .
Why keep & get it drivable? Well, be careful here, you might accidentally find it's worth the grins-factor, not to mention just plain-pipe-racks fun. . A neat mini-hauler, if you will... Don't see many C-cabs around anymore. ;( .
Marcus...

 

283

 

Ok...it's pretty much been a full month and still haven't decided. But I have been paying attention to a couple of other projects...the ones my wife wants me to. Now a new wrench in the game, yesterday I ran across a guy turning a '70 Kaiser postal Jeep into a rat rod type thing. He is taking the 4-cylinder and two speed trans out to put a 350/350 in. What are the thoughts on that motor/trans??? And would that be a 153?? Thanks, Gene.

 

Here are some articles about that Jeep and the engine. I think you're looking at an old 90HP Nova engine and a two speed automatic. Really?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_DJ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_153_4-cylinder_engine

After 1970 GM ceased production of the 153 engine in North America because of low demand

 

That postal Jeep Banger (basically a Chevy II four cylinder and glide will push that T way to hell and gone faster than any of these guys who scream put a V8 in it will want to ride p***enger in it. Half of them would pee their pants riding shotgun at 60 in it. I'd go for either banger and a full hood.
A few years ago a local guy had a Ford TT truck with one of those engines in it and drove it all over the place for a number of years.

Resale, yes, the 283 will sell a lot faster than the bangers or any Ford engine you put in it. The Ford in a Ford guys love to mouth off but as one of my buddies found out they sure don't want to pony up any money when a pretty decent Ford with a Ford in it comes up for sale. It took him a year to sell the 40 standard sedan with a 351 in it that he took in trade.

 

If the OP needs a little inspiration maybe this will help.

 

I know you didn't ask, but you need to replace the cowl with one from a Model "T" sedan, engine, that's your choice.

 

I’ve always wanted a C cab style rod. That’s kind of cool.

 

Still screaming for the traditional V8 engine. You won't be sorry. Scaring the p***enger is fun, anyway! This is a hot rod site after all.

 

Ok...an update and now another question. Back story, I did get the Chevy II four cylinder, put it in, mocked it up and made mounts. Since than, it's been to the machine shop and been bored, decked, and I have had the head done. Was starting the process of trying to make a header and intake. Now, it seems, I have become very friendy with this stupid motor and don't want to put it in a car I will probably sell in the future. So I'm back to using the 283 (Idid get that also), however, I put a '53 F100 steering box in the car while the motor was out. I mocked up the 283 today and of course the motor won't fit with that box. I have searched on here but couldn't find a positive answer to the best box to use in a Model A with a SBC. Any thoughts?? Thanks, Gene.

 

I think the best setup is a Vega box with cross steering for Model A with SBC. But people with real Model A experience can provide better input.

 

If you can still bet the 283 and glide for 400 your wore out FH will sell for at least that… your $$ ahead.

 

I would definitely go with the 283. I wouldn't use any Ford motor with overhead valves. When I look at a car with a Ford motor I factor in the cost of swapping in a chevy motor or a flathead or a hemi.

 

Trying to use the 283 and PG...now I'm trying to figure out what steering fits with the SBC, as the F100 sure doesn't. I don't really want to go with cross steer, even though I know it's better, because the whole front end is stock A. I'm now looking at a F-1 box to see if it might work. Thanks again, Gene.

 

Yay, 283!
Though the Chevy II 4 banger is nifty. You could paint it up nicely for a display engine..

 

Can you take a couple pics of your engine mount for the 153?

 

Actually, the motor came out of a Postal Jeep. It had a bracket on each side of the motor for mounts. The drivers side one also doubled as an Alt. bracket. I cheated and used a Hurst front saddle mount for a BBC cut and welded a little, made a few spacers and it was in. But I will take a picture of it when I get a chance. Gene.

 

Well, the 283 will not fit with the F100 box. I'm trying to track down a F1 box to try, but I'm thinking it's not going to be an easy fit either. Does anyone have a opinion on that? Thanks yet again, Gene.

 

The first picture shows the original brackets from the mail Jeep motor (center top) and the rubber mounts that were on them. The gray looking piece is what I made to use the modified Hurst engine mount. I'm not using the rubber mounts. The Hurst mount lined up with the frame brackets and rubbers that were already in the car.
The second picture is a set of brackets I took of another 153 I got yesterday. It was supposed to have been in a CJ style Jeep...but I'm not too sure. Both left side brackets also double as the Alt. mount. Gene.