32 Ford rad to firewall measurement

[Ralph]

How much room is there between rad and firewall in a 32 Ford? See, I've got this Model A todor body, and a 500 Cad motor, and I'd like to combine the two on a 32 frame. I'm just wondering how far into the firewall this motor will have to go. The motor will take up about 33" I think. I'm still in the plotting and scheming stage, but spring is coming..........
Ralph

[donsrods]

I'm not sure of the '32 dimension, but if you go from the model a frame to the '32 frame, you pick up 2.5 inches of wheelbase. The model a is 103.5 inches, and the '32 is 106, so you gain that much in the engine room.

With a big block caddy, you may have to use a recessed firewall, but even that is no problem. They are available for A's everywhere.

Do it !!!! The caddy would be cool. Plus, if you lose the mechanical fan and go electric, you can shave a little more off of the engine length.

I think Wescotts catalog shows the dimensions of all the early ford bodies, so that might be a place to look.....maybe even on their website. Or, do what I do. Go to a cruise or car show with a tape measure in hand.

Good luck. Don

[enjenjo]

Th Caddy is a pretty long motor, even without a fan. but as Don mentioned, you can gain some room with the early body on a 32 frame.

[river1]

the HAMB has a thread that has a 32 3 window with  CADDY 500.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94280

look at post number nine

later jim

[C9]

Maybe this will help:

Hood tops measured down the middle.

28-29 = 27 3/4"
30-31 = 31 5/8"
32 = 32"

Fwiw, the hood on my 31 on 32 frame roadster measures 32 3/8".

Wheelbase came out at 105".

The Model A front crossmember - a commonly done swap to gain a 1" drop - is in the stock 32 frame location.

The rear axle sits in the center of the 31 A body's wheel well.

The 31 body on the 32 frame is slid forward far enough that the cowl area fits properly and no frame pinch is required.

I also own a 455 Buick powered 32 roadster and the similarly powered 31 on 32 rails roadster has more engine room longitudinally speaking.
Enough to allow running dual V-belts on the 31 vs only one V-belt on the 32.

Keep in mind that different cars use different thickness radiators so you may want to measure several cars and average the measurement.

My 31 does have a 4" firewall recess.
The 32 has a flat firewall.

Regardless, the engines in both cars sit in the same place longitudinally.

You may want to measure the length of the 455 Buick and the 500 inch Caddy so you can make a viable comparison.

Fwiw - the big Buicks run the T-400 trans.

[C9]

the HAMB has a thread that has a 32 3 window with  CADDY 500.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94280

look at post number nine

later jim

You may not be able to link to the HAMB/Jalopy Journal today.

They're in the middle of some improvements and will be off the air at various times.

[Ralph]

Thanks everybody! Looks like it should work. It's a 28 A, by the way. I'll have to look at some aftermarket 32 frame packages this summer. I'd like to try building my own frame, but I'd also like to get the thing done in this lifetime. Love that Cad powered 32. Bet it's "traction limited"!
Ralph