I have a line on a '90 TBird with a 3.8 SC'ed engine...at a minimum I'll use the IRS rear, but was wondering if anyone has a 3.8 V6 (SC or not) in a '35 or '36 PU?

Even though it's a V6, with the SC hub and long waterpump sticking out, seems to be longer than most V8's...about 30inches from stem to stern.

Since I don't have the front sheetmetal and hood on my truck, just wondering what issues I'll have for clearances.

Thanks.

 

Hey Mike, Welcome to FTE! I hope you stick around and tell us more about your T-bird IRS swap. I thought about a T-bird IRS once and would live to see the progress one the project

I measured my 8BA block at 30 inches from the tip of the fan to the back hump in front of the bell housing. The flatheads usually have 2 or 3 inches between that and the fire wall.

A 302 is 29 inches from the tip of the water pump to the bellhousing and they seemed to have been put in these trucks fairly easily with only the usual problems (stearing gear, ext.). If not you can always cut into the firewall a bit.

I think that a 3.8L SC engine would be a great engine for a light weight truck like the '35-'36's are. Hope this helps. Keep us informed and good luck!

Clayton

 

Thanks for the welcome Clayton, and the measurements.

I too think a SC V6 is a good powerplant for the truck. I can't get a good enough look at the rear in the TBird to see what all will be involved, but if it's similar to using Jag and Vette rears, it should be do-able.

The story on this truck goes way back into the '50's...my Dad had it and a 35 (still have it too..rough shape). In the 60's he used to stay at a friends house in Alameda and work during the weeks in the ShipYards. The guy wouldn't charge him rent and my Dad being the guy his is, kept after him asking" Well I have to give you something"....so he gave the '35 and '36 to the guy.

Well, this guy (Sam) had a bodyman start working on putting one together for his son, the bodyman he used was a bit of a crook and took more stuff from Sam, than he did work. Sam ran him off and the trucks sat for the last 30 years.

Sam passed away last year and his son gave me back the trucks and all the pieces that were left...I've got stuff that was chromed and wrapped in masking tape for the last 30 years...a drop axle, tailgate hinges, latches, etc.

I'm clearing space in the Barn this weekend to start pulling it apart to setup the chassis in my shop...I just have to find a place to hide the carcass of the TBird to keep it out of the wifes sight