engine placement-'39 Ford
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engine placement-'39 Ford
Posted: April 13 2008 10:40 PM
 
Rod Snow (aka raj4851) [ View ] [ rajsnow@comcast.net ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Decatur, Illinois
(217) 454-5026
 
I have been working on my '39 Ford tudor, standard, and am thinking ahead to engine placement. It's sitting on an S10 Blazer frame. Can someone give me a suggestion as to how far back I should mount the engine? I was thinking of cutting the firewall back to the flat part at the top but I'm not sure how far back the #1 spark plug hole should be behind the spindle centerline. Should I just go by the firewall? I'm not planning on installing a custom one, just modifying the stock one. Thanks in advance, Rod
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by Willys33  -  04/14/2008 08:36 AM
The question is how far forward. Mount the radiator and fan then mount the engine as close to it as you feel comfortable with. If this give you too much room between the back of the engine and the firewall (I doubt it) than move the engine back some. Make sure you mount it high enough for the pan to be above the front crossmember. Engine can't be to high but you will run out of room for the bell housing. Ensure the intake carb flange is level. Done!
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  04/14/2008 08:52 AM
HEI distributor cap should be 1/2" off firewall. Then check radiator, drag link clearence.
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by ol bear  -  04/14/2008 09:09 AM
MEASURE THRICE CUT ONCE ,SAVES ALOT OF HEADACHES,,,,, LES AKA OL BEAR
OL BEAR [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] crown point, Indiana
 
Posted by aosborn  -  04/14/2008 10:49 AM
1/2" distributor clearance to the firewall like jimmothershead stated above, engine as high as practical to get the fan higher on the radiator if using a mechanical fan. Don't be afraid to offset the engine to the right slightly if it will help with clearance around steering linkage and underfloor brake booster and mastercylinder, pedals etc. The further back the engine can be without cutting into your interior space too much will help to take weight off of the front axle and will allow more options for cooling fans, engine accessories etc.
aosborn [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Olympia, Washington
 
Posted by vendettaautofab  -  04/14/2008 09:53 PM
Bring the firewall back to the "flat" you talked about and place the engine with about 1/2 - 3/4" clearance on the dist...and you should be fine. We have a couple that we did just that.


If you have any questions feel free to call me at the shop... 269-266-2304


-Mike K.

Vendetta Auto Fab
vendettaautofab [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Baroda, Michigan
 
Posted by vendettaautofab  -  04/14/2008 09:56 PM
Just got to thinking, you may have some issues with clearance that s-10 box, definatly tack and mock up everything first. The engine compartment is quite tight with the original frame, may pose a problem with s-10. Do you have the front sheetmetal hung on this frame yet? Its a bitch on a stock from and original car, just curious how you tackled that.
vendettaautofab [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Baroda, Michigan
 
Posted by raj4851  -  04/15/2008 10:01 PM
Hey guys, Thanks for all the info. I hadn't thought about engine height. I think I'll shoot for the 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch from the firewall and go from there. I have had the sheet metal on but haven't figured out how to build a permanent front mount for the sheetmetal just yet. The stock inner panels have some light channel pieces attatched to them. I think I'll probably build off that unless someone advises me against it. It looks like I'll ne replacing the S10 box with a Mustang rack & pinion. A guy did it on an early Chevy truck with an S10 frame. Again, thanks very much for your input, Rod
raj4851 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Decatur, Illinois
 
Posted by vendettaautofab  -  04/15/2008 10:09 PM
Sounds you have a decent plan of attack, keep us posted.
vendettaautofab [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Baroda, Michigan
 
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