Next up was to check all my clearances and finalize the engine and transmission positions.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...41-jpg.361308/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...41-jpg.361308/
I added a piece of t-bar from an old garage door opener to the balancer that would set across the frame so I could set the engine height and get it centered more easily. Hard to see in the picture but I have a bracket with a threaded adjuster that sits on the crossmember to get the engine level side to side also. I got the transmission set in place at the rear with a piece of square tubing and some shims sitting on the original x-member.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...51-jpg.361312/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...51-jpg.361312/
With the heads and intake bolted in place I pulled and HEI distributor from another engine to check for clearance to the firewall. I had to move the engine forward about an inch to have just a bit more than 1/4" clearance. It will be tight but it should work fine without doing anymore modifications on the firewall.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...06-jpg.361314/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...06-jpg.361314/
Another view shows how tight it is but everything else will have plenty of clearance.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...19-jpg.361316/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...19-jpg.361316/
Next I bolted the fenders and grille back on to check how much room I would have for a radiator and fans and figure out how big of a radiator would fit. The 39 standard is narrower in the front and the stock radiator is 16" wide vs 19" wide on a 39 deluxe.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...33-jpg.361319/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...33-jpg.361319/
Even with a long water pump and fan looks like there should be plenty of room for a radiator. (flex fan is for mock-up only, I won't be using it) I do have a short water pump available which I found later so that will be an extra 1" plus clearance.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...00-jpg.361321/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...00-jpg.361321/
With the hood sides set in place it almost looks like a car again.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...32-jpg.361322/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...32-jpg.361322/
I ended up making a cardboard mock-up of a 39 deluxe - 40 ford radiator because speedway had a Griffin radiator for them as a garage sale item at $215. vs the regular price of over $900. With my short water pump in place It looked like I could maybe make it work with a mechanical fan or electric fans in front of the radiator. Very tight to the hood sides though. I was going to call them to get some exact measurements of the radiator but when I checked back on their website they had already sold it. So much for that plan. They do have some universal fit radiators that will work for around $300. so not the end of the world but of course those will need custom mounts etc. so a lot more work than one that would pretty much bolt in.
https://www.trifivechevys.com/cdn-cg...07-jpg.361331/
https://www.trifive.com/cdn-cgi/imag...07-jpg.361331/
Another view with the cardboard mock-up. Really tight at the hood sides so probably better to get a radiator closer to the original size anyway.
So with the engine position finalized time to work on the motor mounts and transmission crossmember. I ended up ordering a trans pad and motor mount cushions from Speedway Motors for that project.
Brian :cool: