Radiator clearance - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lostmonkey · 10-27-2017, 04:44 PM

Hello all.

I am building a 47 chevy. I am currently I am building the motor. Its a 350 SBC
Does anyone know if there is enough clearance for a LWP with an electric fan and stock firewall?
I already have the Long water pump and all the brackets for the power steering and alternator.

**mr48chev** · 10-27-2017, 05:37 PM

I don't remember what pump I had on mine when I had the 350 in it.

Here is a chart with all of the small block outside measurements on it that might help.
http://www.enginefactory.com/chevdimensions.htm

PDW HOTRODS · 10-28-2017, 04:17 PM

Yes there is room, just keep the motor back. I used long water pump, HEI and no firewall mods on 3 different trucks 47-53, and enough room.

**mr48chev** · 10-28-2017, 06:25 PM

Good advice there, some guys want to push the engine too far forward because they want lots of firewall clearance.

PDW HOTRODS · 10-28-2017, 10:18 PM

When placing the motor I set it as far back as I can and install the distributor and valve covers to make sure I can remove them before I weld the mounts.

yossarian19 · 10-29-2017, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Good advice there, some guys want to push the engine too far forward because they want lots of firewall clearance.

That's me. I did that.

Don't be like me.

Slam that sucker as far back as you can remove the dizzy / intake manifold / heads, then build the rest around that placement.

**gigamanx** · 10-30-2017, 08:56 AM

LWP fits with the 350. That's what is in my 1949 AD. The distributor cap just about touches the firewall. I'd say I have 2" of gap. You'll need all the space you can get up front to fit the radiator. The other change I did for myself was I set the radiator into the core support to give myself some fudge factor. The radiator sits against the X cross on the core support.

Hampshire · 10-30-2017, 03:43 PM

My 49 has a SWP, but you can see there is lots of clearance. Though the distributor is a small Mallory, a larger HEI would fit with a single 4 barrel instead of the tri-power. Engine is about as far back as you can go & still be able to remove the distributor & valve covers.

10-27-2017, 04:44 PM	#1
lostmonkey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: MODESTO, CALIFORNIA Posts: 7	Radiator clearance Hello all. I am building a 47 chevy. I am currently I am building the motor. Its a 350 SBC Does anyone know if there is enough clearance for a LWP with an electric fan and stock firewall? I already have the Long water pump and all the brackets for the power steering and alternator.

10-27-2017, 05:37 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,648	Re: Radiator clearance I don't remember what pump I had on mine when I had the 350 in it. Here is a chart with all of the small block outside measurements on it that might help. http://www.enginefactory.com/chevdimensions.htm __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

10-28-2017, 04:17 PM	#3
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Re: Radiator clearance Yes there is room, just keep the motor back. I used long water pump, HEI and no firewall mods on 3 different trucks 47-53, and enough room.

10-28-2017, 06:25 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,648	Re: Radiator clearance Good advice there, some guys want to push the engine too far forward because they want lots of firewall clearance. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

10-28-2017, 10:18 PM	#5
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Re: Radiator clearance When placing the motor I set it as far back as I can and install the distributor and valve covers to make sure I can remove them before I weld the mounts.

10-30-2017, 08:56 AM	#7
gigamanx Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 1,004	Re: Radiator clearance LWP fits with the 350. That's what is in my 1949 AD. The distributor cap just about touches the firewall. I'd say I have 2" of gap. You'll need all the space you can get up front to fit the radiator. The other change I did for myself was I set the radiator into the core support to give myself some fudge factor. The radiator sits against the X cross on the core support. __________________ Current Build Thread 1930 Ford Model A Modern Twist: Ford Model A Rat Rod With a Modern Twist Build Thread Phase 1 "The Swap": 1949 3100 with S10 swap. Beginner build with ambition! Build Thread Phase 2 "The Drop": Beginner Build with Ambition gets Air Ride

10-30-2017, 03:43 PM	#8
Hampshire Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Western MA Posts: 281	Re: Radiator clearance My 49 has a SWP, but you can see there is lots of clearance. Though the distributor is a small Mallory, a larger HEI would fit with a single 4 barrel instead of the tri-power. Engine is about as far back as you can go & still be able to remove the distributor & valve covers. Attached Images __________________ Pics of Finished 49 AD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...7686536275403/ Pics of build process: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...57684031425944



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