Vintage hot rods have a certain cool charisma different from today’s modern muscle, just like this 1931 Ford Model A pickup truck. Mike's project vehicle was a potent monster sporting more than 700 hp of output. With the previous mill already gone for 18 months, the Model A is currently a heartless cold machine. Mike is out to resurrect this Ford hot rod with a new crate engine.
1931 Ford Model A Is Both A Modern And Classic Hot Rod
Built for the 2018 SEMA Show, this 1931 Ford Model A is a modern but classic hot rod. It is recognizable as a machine from 90 years ago thanks to the custom radiator grille, the driver’s cab as well as the hood (although only 8 inches remained). It sits on a custom tubular chassis featuring a double A-arm front suspension with adjustable H&R coilovers and a 4-link rear suspension with exposed coilovers.
This 1931 Ford Model A rides on centerlock Motegi wheels (18 × 12.5 inches front and 18 × 13 inches rear) derived from a 2018 Mazda IMSA Le Mans prototype. The rims are shod with Michelin Motorsports PL2 rain slicks for an all-weather road performance. Power distribution is courtesy of a Jerico WC4-4 four-speed manual transmission, which is the gearbox of choice for NASCAR racers.
Swaps Out Coyote Mill For New Engine
According to Mike, this Model A hot rod used to have a 2011 5.0 Mustang GT Coyote engine. Thanks to a supercharger system, this first-gen Coyote mill was making around 730 hp on the rear wheels or more than 800 hp on the crank). The hot rod would have a great build if the first-gen Coyote engine – the weakest of three generations – did not submit to destruction.
Featuring a riveted aluminum interior, Mike’s 1931 Ford Model A hot rod has been sitting engine-less for around 18 months. But Mike has big plans for the project vintage truck, so he bought a second-gen Coyote engine (a dropout). After considering other options, Mike ultimately settled for Ford Performance’s 5.0-liter Gen 3 Aluminator crate engine, which evolved from a Gen 3 Mustang GT 5.0L Coyote engine.
Aluminator Crate Engine On Its Way
In its base naturally aspirated configuration, the 5.0-liter Gen 3 Aluminator crate engine offers 460 hp of max and 420 lb-ft of torque. Mike will likely back it up with a supercharger, like what he did on the previous mill. While shoehorning the new engine is an easy task, Mike has to rewire the truck, redo the fuel lines and fit new tires.
Source: StanceWorks channel on YouTube