My 1928 Model A hot rod build (Page 1/3)
psychosurfer JUL 12, 01:21 PM
Many of you now I have been building an all steel 1928 Model A roadster for the past couple years.

The frame is a 28-31, running a GM 350 crate engine, 4 speed manual trans, and 9" ford rear. We have it set-up with2 fours (much more for looks than power). The body is all steel and we will not be running fenders. We've already painted the frame and underside of the body. When it's done, it will be red with flames (love the traditional high-boy with flames look!). Here is an attempt to post pics.

[This message has been edited by psychosurfer (edited 07-12-2012).]

psychosurfer JUL 12, 01:31 PM
These pics are from a while ago (I dont take a whole lot of pics). As of now, the engine, trans, headers, driveshaft, full suspension, ignition, intake, carbs, and radiator are all installed. The body is sitting on the frame so I can route the exhaust next.





carbon JUL 12, 04:25 PM
Just a question... why does no one run a Ford engine in these old Fords?
psychosurfer JUL 12, 05:43 PM
I have built and owned hot rods with all kinds of power plants. This car will not have hood sides (only a top) and I strongly prefer the look of the small block chevy over a ford or mopar.


edhering JUL 12, 07:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by carbon:

Just a question... why does no one run a Ford engine in these old Fords?



It used to be that high performance parts for Chevy engines were a lot cheaper than equivalent parts for Fords.

Now maybe it's "tradition".

Ed
psychosurfer JUL 12, 07:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by edhering:


It used to be that high performance parts for Chevy engines were a lot cheaper than equivalent parts for Fords.

Now maybe it's "tradition".

Ed



LOL, that is an excellent point! Plus, the vision for this little car is very traditional but clean. I was going to do the whole flat black thing, but the body is just too nice. Plus, this is the first car we've built using all new parts so we wanted to keep it looking super simple and clean.


psychosurfer JUL 15, 04:41 PM
So, these pics are obviously not in order. Anyhow, here is a shot of the chassis the day we hung the suspension.



weaselbeak JUL 15, 08:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by carbon:

Just a question... why does no one run a Ford engine in these old Fords?




Maybe for the same reasons that you see Mustangs at the track with LS1 power. There are more AC Cobra replicas with Chevy power than were ever built with Ford power. When I was young, I thought it was because of the financial angle, and Chevy's marvelous interchangeability. You could put a water pump off a 79 dumptruck on your 55 coupe. Slight adjustments for heater hoses. But those days of easier are long gone and it's still happening.
psychosurfer JUL 16, 07:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by weaselbeak:
Maybe for the same reasons that you see Mustangs at the track with LS1 power. There are more AC Cobra replicas with Chevy power than were ever built with Ford power. When I was young, I thought it was because of the financial angle, and Chevy's marvelous interchangeability. You could put a water pump off a 79 dumptruck on your 55 coupe. Slight adjustments for heater hoses. But those days of easier are long gone and it's still happening.




Good observation. For me, it's all about what I want to spend my money on. The physical appearance of the front of a small block ford is not as attractive as a chevy, the chevy crate engine I bought was far cheaper with more power than the comparable ford at the time,

Along the lines with the Cobra replica info, there are more 1932 fords on the road today (currently registered) than were ever produced. My car is all steel, but the frame is new, the body is new, etc. After building rusted cars back to show for years, I decided I wanted a "clean" start.

What do the other street/hot rodders here have in their cars? I know many of us have non-pontiac engines in our fieros.
TONY_C JUL 16, 11:42 AM

quote
Originally posted by carbon:

Just a question... why does no one run a Ford engine in these old Fords?



Look at the crossmember and then look at the placement of the oil sump in a sbc. They are a perfect fit whereas sm blk fords have the sump in the front. That was one of the big reasons for using SBCs