I am putting a 302 in the 31 sedan but set up the engine witout having the body on the frame and it seems to sit a little to far back. Where have the motor mounts been located on others that have done a 302 in an A Sedan?
You should be looking at radiator clearance more than firewall depth when using a SBF in any early Ford but especially a T or A. The engine setback isn't a big deal but having to move a radiator, lengthen a hood and end up with a*****-looking car IS.
What Pasadena said. Set the radiator where it belongs and lay everything else out from there back. Then do whatever you have to do with the firewall, etc. to make it work.
That motor appears to be a LOT too far back. Don't be afraid to chop the mounts out and repostion the motor right now. But next time bolt on the radiator and work from there, as the others suggested. If you think you have probelms now, wait until you have to try to fit exhaust in it, a brake pedal****embly, and steering, then try to work on it once it's all****embled for good. Stuffing a small block anything into an A chassis is like stuffing 10 lbs of***** in a 5 lb bag, so make use of every available inch and you'll be happier in the long run.
If your 5'1 you should have no leg room problems with an automatic trans your knees will be warm in the winter also. So if all the above is good have fun.
Well tons of advice. Lotsa good things to think about. Its a sedan move the seats back and leave it stuck into the firewall a bit. I think its perfect for a driver if it were a full on dragster I'd say it sits too far forward. Here's the deal from my sketchy memory. It seems to me that a common alteration for A bones when I was a lot younger was to flip the stuck firewall around back wards then jam the engine back as close to the firewall as possible. If you don't loose the rear port into the cowl you you'll be alright. if you hide the rear post you're going to have to deal with some exhaust/header issues but its no hill for a stepper. Mock the rest of the car up and see if it something you can live with, if anyone asks tell them its so it will handle better. that's always a good excuse to move the engine back, I think.
I bought a model A w 302 FD and now got a Snow water pump[opel] to get the length right it was mostly built but changes used up space and they had extended the frame 6 in in front which is another can of worms, the only good thing he set the engine low enough to leave the floor flat w notching wood and grinding trans.. but had to space the carb up to give visual estetics in engine bay ALL THE ABOVE ADVICE IS GOOD READ AND HEED
I found some water pumps that are in a 94 T-Bird and an Interceptor I think, will one of these work for gaining room by replacing the timing cover and pulleys/alternator? Pictures are not very good but this is what I found. It will be going on a 86 302 motor if that makes a difference and I will be using the serpentine belt
That looks more like what I am after. How far back from the front cross member are your motor mounts?
Like so many have advised you already,----Start by bolting down the radiator!!! I was faced with this same situation back in 1962 when the SBF motors first came on the scene.----Sure, shorter water pumps are now available--BUT, if that unit fails going cross country, or state, guess who's gonna be sidelined waiting for a greyhound bus to deliver that "Special" shortened pump to you???? I have always used FOMOCO parts, making repairs on the road a simple task!!---------------Don
I'd like to give yo those measurements, but unfortunately the car was wrecked. Maybe these recent pics from the tear-down after the wreck will give you some idea. And a pic of the engine side mounts for good measure.
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