| KEY TAKEAWAYS |
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| • Model A sheet metal splits into two groups: 1928-1929 and 1930-1931. The cowl, firewall, and hood changed in 1930, so year matters on every order. |
| • Choose your engine before your firewall. Stock firewalls suit original or small engines, while 3", 4", and 5" setback firewalls make room for small block and big block V8s. |
| • The front floor has to match the firewall. Order a front floor built for a stock firewall or one built for a setback firewall. |
| • Floors differ by body style. Coupe and sedan floors are not interchangeable. |
| • Hoods come in 3-piece and 4-piece styles, with tops and sides sold separately and plain or louvered options. |
A Model A firewall is the steel panel between the engine compartment and the cab on a 1928-1931 Ford, and on a hot rod it is usually the first piece of sheet metal you need to decide on. Model A sheet metal divides into two generations: 1928-1929 and 1930-1931. Ford changed the cowl, firewall, and hood in 1930, so a 1929 firewall will not fit a 1931 body. Reproduction firewalls, floors, seat pans, transmission covers, and hoods are available new in steel for both generations.
This guide explains how to source Model A sheet metal in the right order, which parts depend on each other, and what to check before you weld. It is a narrower companion to our 1930s Ford floor pans and firewall sourcing guide and our article on Model A frame modifications.
1928-1929 vs. 1930-1931: Know Your Year
The year split affects nearly every body panel ahead of the doors. 1928-1929 and 1930-1931 cars use different cowls and firewalls. Reproduction 1928-1929 firewalls are sold as separate upper and lower panels or as complete setback units, while 1930-1931 firewalls are sold complete. Hoods also changed, so hood tops and sides are sold by year group. Floors and seat pans are more often shared across 1928-1931, but they are still split by body style.
Check your body before ordering. Original title years do not always match the body on the car, especially on hot rods built from mixed parts.
Model A Firewall Options
| Firewall | Fits | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1928-29 upper firewall and lower firewall | 1928-1929 | Stock-style restorations and original four-cylinder engines |
| 1928-29 complete firewall, 4" setback | 1928-1929 | Small block V8 swaps in early cars |
| 1930-31 complete firewall, small block 3" setback | 1930-1931 | Small block Chevy and similar V8s |
| 1930-31 complete firewall, big block 5" setback | 1930-1931 | Big block engines and long accessory drives |
A setback firewall moves the center section rearward so the engine can sit farther back in the chassis. That improves weight distribution and clears the radiator. Measure your engine, accessory drive, and distributor location against the chassis before choosing a setback depth. Browse all options in our firewalls collection.
Floors, Seat Pans, and Transmission Covers
Once the firewall is chosen, the floor follows. The front floor bolts or welds to the bottom of the firewall, so it has to match the firewall style.
| Panel | Options | What to Match |
|---|---|---|
| Front floor | For stock firewall or for small and big block setback firewalls | Your firewall choice |
| Complete floor | 1928-31 sedan, 1930-31 sedan, 1930-31 coupe | Body style and year |
| Under seat pan | 1928-29 all models, 1930-31 coupe, 1930-31 sedan | Year and body style |
| Behind seat pan | 1928-31 all models | Shared across years |
| Transmission cover | For stock firewall or for DSM setback firewall | Your firewall and transmission |
| Rear pan | For aftermarket chassis | Aftermarket frame rails |
If the car rides on an aftermarket chassis or channeled body, confirm the rear pan and floor fit the frame you are using. Wide rear tires may also call for 1928-31 Ford wheel tubs. All of these panels are available in the Direct Sheet Metal collection.
Model A Hoods: 3-Piece or 4-Piece
Model A hoods come in two main styles. A 4-piece hood has two tops and two sides, hinged down the center and at the sides. A 3-piece hood uses a single top with two sides, which gives a cleaner look and is common on hot rods. Tops and sides are sold separately so you can mix plain, louvered, and stock-style panels.
Rootlieb builds Model A hoods in steel for both generations, including 1930-31 4-piece plain tops, 1928-29 3-piece stock sides, and 1930-31 3-piece 4-row louvered tops. See the full Rootlieb collection and our hoods collection for more.
Fit the hood last. Its alignment depends on the cowl, radiator shell position, and firewall, so any change ahead of the doors shifts how the hood sits.
Order of Operations for a Model A Build
- Settle the chassis: stock frame, boxed frame, or aftermarket rails.
- Choose the engine and transmission. Measure length, accessory drive, and distributor clearance.
- Pick the firewall and setback depth based on those measurements.
- Order the front floor and transmission cover that match the firewall.
- Add the complete floor or seat pans for your body style and year.
- Install the front suspension. A Pete and Jake's 1928-31 complete front end sets ride height and radiator position.
- Fit the radiator shell and hood last.
Fit Checks Before You Weld
- Clamp the firewall and floor in place and check that the doors open and close with even gaps.
- Confirm the steering column, pedals, and master cylinder clear the new firewall and floor.
- Check transmission and shifter location against the transmission cover opening.
- Leave room for wiring, brake lines, and fuel lines to pass through the firewall.
- Verify body mount locations line up with your frame, especially on aftermarket chassis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a 1928-29 and 1930-31 Model A firewall?
Ford redesigned the cowl in 1930, so the firewalls are shaped differently and do not interchange. Order by year group: 1928-1929 or 1930-1931.
Which setback firewall do I need for a small block Chevy in a Model A?
A 3" setback is a common choice for a small block in a 1930-1931 car, and a 4" setback complete firewall is available for 1928-1929. Measure your engine and accessories against the chassis before ordering.
Do I need a different floor with a setback firewall?
Yes. The front floor attaches to the bottom of the firewall, so order a front floor made for a setback firewall when you run one.
Are Model A coupe and sedan floors the same?
No. Floors and under-seat pans are made separately for coupes and sedans. Order by body style.
What is the difference between a 3-piece and 4-piece Model A hood?
A 4-piece hood has two tops and two sides. A 3-piece hood uses one top with two sides for a cleaner look. Tops and sides are sold separately.
Where do I start a Model A sheet metal project?
Start with the chassis and engine choice. The firewall depends on the engine, the floor depends on the firewall, and the hood fits last.
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Shop the Parts Shop Direct Sheet Metal Model A firewalls and floors, Rootlieb hoods, and Pete and Jake's front ends at Hot Rod Hardware. Need help matching panels to your body? Call 507-527-1020. |