Looking for measurements of a Model A, with flathead ford

Im looking for some measurements on a model a frame with a flathead ford. I need to know the measurement between the front crossmember to the end of the bellhousing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

tardels book av8 is a great help to anyone in this situation.

 

there is no measurement. its wherever you put it.

 

The onliest nameable "normal" distance would be for a car built with stock A torque tube.
And never ask for "X" for a flathead...they made flatheads for more than 30 years, remember...end of bellhousing could be to end of an early block, to end of a late block, or to end of several different separate bellhousings on a late block! This is like saying you have a stock flathead distributor...
Different A-V8s use different needs to set the ground zero line: Some are built so '32 crossmember aligns with '32 wishbone, some are set to avoid cutting firewall, many just use the A rearend to dictate where engine and trans live. Some have to be juggled to fit the protruding bits on a late engine or such.

 

I have a 48-53 flathead. I do not have a body and would like to work on figurin the ch***is, suspension, and so on. Thanks for any advise!

 

Get this book.

How to build a traditional Ford Hotrod, by Bishop and Tardel.

It will give you dimensions for where to put the motor mounts off the front crossmember, etc. It's a good book, and it's what I'm using for my build.

Good luck
Pete

 

OK, if figgerin', you need a ground zero...what piece of the car will dictate where other bits will go?? The book mentioned is EXCELLENT, but I believe it is fundamentally based on the '32 part$ used...1932 wishbone dictates placement of'32 crossmember, which in turn locates the trnsmission...then Tube is fabricated. My tendency would be to setup with Model A rear, bolt your trans and engine to that to locate mounts. This requires minor firewall t*******...choice of the '32 parts makes some things simpler, others more complex, and since parts are '32...$$$$! I would tend toward a fabricated crossmember made to mount a cheaper wishbone and later pedals.

 

I just measured my placement on the 31 roadster with 8ba, 3 speed converted to closed drive and origional rearend I am building. From the FRONT of the front crossmember to the REAR of the motor/front of bellhousing my measurement is 30 5/8. The center of my motor mount apears to be right at 7 1/4 measured from the FRONT of the front crossmember. I also used an F-1 ****** crossmember. The only place I have had to trim the firewall is the floorboard flange to clear a couple of bell housing bolts. IT IS A TIGHT FIT THOUGH.

 

Do you have a engine and trans? What I did was build a spacer 1.5 inches to move the engine and trans forward. This will give you the room so you don't have to cut the firewall . But with a 49-53 motor is a bit longer then the 39 motor an trans I used in the roadster. I would by p*** on the spacer and bolt the motor to the model A rearend. Just use a V-8 coupling and U-joint etc. Your on the correct track but any measurement your going to get can be off a bit and throw it all off. It's best to mock up with the items your going to use . Good luck and please ask any question no matter how small, The HAMB is a great place to start.
thanks

 

If you don't have a body yet I would try to locate a cowl and mount it in place so you can mock up your ch***is. Then when you get your body it will drop right on no problem.

 

An early motor is easier to fit...if your engine is to be rebuilt, it can easily be rebuilt to the length of a '39-48 setup by using early cam and externals. Certain combinations of front acessories are much shorter than late engines can be made. On extending...it must be done so that U-joint is on same center as ball of torque tube AND provision must be made for the U-joint's role in securing the rear of trans shaft to bearing.

 

You guys are great! Thanks for all the info!!

 

You really need a body (or a cowl) of the same style body you will use, 28-29 is different from 30-31. Also, find a junker block and trans case for mock-up. You can't go with the book dimensions, just as a general guide. You have the rear clearance/dimension issues of firewall and wishbone etc , then you have front clearance issues of dist/fan/radiator to deal with. Helps to have all necessary components to mock up before welding in motor mounts. (or you could just buy my Av8 roadster and drive it ) ....
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=365697