My father has a 35 ford pickup (with all the body pieces, etc in good condition) that I am looking into restoring into some form of a hotrod. Before I get to deeply entrenched in the project I'm doing a bit of reasearch. I am looking for a larger more powerful engine to replace the flathead v8 that originally came with the vehicle. I was trying to measure it out, but I thought someone here might know if it is possible to fit something like a 302 in the engine compartment. Also is there some more modern (hopefully locking) rear end (that will handle more engine power) that I can fit onto the truck, possibly something off a foxbody mustang or something of that sort.

Thanks a lot -Matt

 

Getting a later Ford engine to fit into a 30's era pickup is not easy. You will discover any number of challeges involving getting around the front axle, the steering box and the fire wall. This is why most of these vehicles have that other brand in them. It can be done but will require much knowledge, time and money. If I were going to do it, I'd explore a V6 or putting the early body on a later frame. So many choices, so little time.

 

Hummn.. ok.. I really don't want to put in "the other brand" of engine, so I guess I will have to explore finding another frame for it. A new frame may help handeling anyways. Thanks -Matt

 

Keep the frame but explore ifs.

 

I'm also building a 35 ford pickup. I am going with a 350. Yea, I know, I should burn in eternal damnation for mixing chevy and ford, but it's all about cost and availability. Regardless of what you choose to go with, both a 350 and a 302 will comfortably fit. The engine sits quite low in this truck, so, though it appears it won't fit, it fits very nicely. I would suggest getting a late 80'3, early 90's Mustang with the 5.0 and fuel injection. If you are able to keep track of all of the wiring computer crap you should be able to pull it off. I would buy the mustang and pull the engine, transmission and rear end. You could use the same driveshaft and have it lengthened. You could likely salvage the seats and belts. If you are creative enough, grafting the mustang dash into the truck would give you a truck worthy of walking away with a best of show award from a show.

I would suggest you get some magazines and examine the pictures (which you have likely already done). 2 that I get are "Custom Classic Trucks" and "Classic Trucks". I suggest the latter as it seems to have better ads and a fuller range of information.

Good luck
Jon
:-)

 

The small block ford 289/302/351 will fit in the 35 pickup fine. You will have to get a rear oil sump pan for front axel/cross member to fit. You will also have to do some work on the center X member cradle for the transmission to fit. If you are going to keep the front straight axle, you will also have to split the wishbone. You will also have to use a short style oil filter because the long style will hit the frame. As far as electronic fuel injection is concerned, I don't understand it fully and my preferance would be the good old carburator. However, there are lots of rods with the electronic fuel injection that work great. With a small block, all you need is a ford 8" rear. I use ford 9inch in my projects, but usually send them out to have them narrowed. Chassis engineering out of West Branch, Iowa has all the parts you need to adapt these items to your pickup. I would do away with the front straight axle and put in a Mustang II setup. They are fairly easy to assemble and weld into your frame. If you want a lot of headaches and problems, try putting a frame from a late model truck under your 35. I can almost assure you, that will be the biggest mistake you ever make on a rod project, unless you have tons of experience. I have rodded two 40 ford coupes, and now I am rodding a 40 ford pickup with Mustang II front, 460 big block, C-6 auto, and 9inch ford rear. My first project took almost 5 years to complete. These projects take a lot of time and money. Have fun, do a lot of reading, and don't give up. The end results are well worth the effort. If you have any more questions, let us know. I only check this site every week or so when time permits. Good luck.

 

Matt, I'm sure the small block Ford will go in, but you will probably have to use a rear sump oil pan (like from an explorer) to clear the front suspension. I put a 283 Chevy in a 36 pickup some years back and it went in very easy. For the rear end, I used a 77 Pontiac Trans Am with positraction. It was the perfect width and all I had to do was weld on new spring pads and use the original springs.

 

 

Interesting article, How about using a 4X4 frame to set the 35-37 on? GV in CT '37 pu and '00 sd psd 3X4