New Project Model A

40 Chev Coupe · July 17, 2014, 09:45:24 AM

Looking for advice on which motor to use, a SBC or a SBF. Would like to keep all Ford but would like to know the work involved with a 289 or 302 compared to a 350 Chev?

UGLY OLDS · July 17, 2014, 10:05:11 AM

The firewall needs to be moved too far back for the SBF .. The SBC with a short water pump fits like it was made for it .. UNLESS you can do something to reduce the length of the Ford water pump .. Then the SBF is actually smaller than the Chevy ...

Someone makes a kit to replace the SBF pump with a much shorter unique pump, but I prefer to use something that , if need be , I can get at the local parts store in "Resume Speed Nebraska " ...( Been there ...Done that ...)

One thing I learned in my ongoing , ( 25+ years- Still not done ..

), Model A project is that there is NO room ... Anywhere.. For anything ....

GPster · July 17, 2014, 10:25:14 AM

Almost 25 years ago I sold my channeled Model A coupe because I had just had back surgery. I had used this car as my daily driver for close to 5 years but a lot of people expected to see it powered by a SBC instead of a 318 Dodge with a 2 barrel. This fact stuck in my mind. I bought my Jeepster one week after I got out of the hospital after my motorcycle mishap. I wasn't even able to drive so I started to plan the build with a SBC, turbo 350, 9" etc. so I wouldn't be stuck with the project if I had to back-out of it. After 10 years I got the nerve to start driving again. I came to the realization that the Jeepster would only have a value to me and building what someone else would want to buy was not worth it. Keep an open mind and look at what can be done but don't lose track of what you want to end up with. There could be nice things said about a stock length frame, stock hood length hood and stock firewall of a Model A powered by a V6. GPster

BFS57 · July 18, 2014, 02:51:35 PM

Hello;
Nothing says hot rod better than a Model A with a flathead V8!

Bruce

tomslik · July 18, 2014, 07:58:57 PM

LS series GM engine...

57larry · July 23, 2014, 01:06:04 PM

283 or 327 in it

unklian · July 23, 2014, 03:11:00 PM

There are parts available for the SBF now,
but nowhere near as many as the SBC.

Digger · July 24, 2014, 05:51:28 PM

If you intend to keep the car for a long time and don't mind the extra work, put whatever makes you happy in it, but the sad fact is in the long run the Chevy is easier and cheaper. Also some day if you want to sell the car it will be way easier to sell and worth more money with the Chevy.

grazza · July 25, 2014, 05:32:09 AM

Quote from: "BFS57"Hello;
Nothing says hot rod better than a Model A with a flathead V8!

Bruce

Carnut · July 25, 2014, 02:59:21 PM

heh, heh, if God didn't intend for SBC's to be in Old Fords he wouldn't have made them fit so well.

rumrumm · July 25, 2014, 03:07:35 PM

If I was planning on building a Model A, I would seriously consider using a Buick nailhead 401 or 425. Or maybe an Olds Rocket 371. Nice looking, old timey, and lots of torque. Check this out:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=168

junkyardjeff · July 25, 2014, 08:08:19 PM

I have no problem in finding parts for a sbf so whats to be afraid of,one might be dropped in my 37 Chevy p/u over the winter to be very different.