Hot Rods HELP!! CAN I ADAPT A 4 CYL MODEL A ENGINE TO A CHEVY 350 trans??

Anyone ever adapted a 4 cylinder model a engine to a modern automatic, such as a chevy 350? I appreciate any help on this matter and apologize if this is a dumb question.

 

Which 4-cylinder?

 

A flat head 4 cylinder that would come in a 31 coupe. I am looking to buy one, but cannot drive stick shift anymore so I would need to convert it to an automatic. I just so happen to have a newly rebuild 350 turbo in my garage. Thank you

 

I think he wants to adapt an A bine to a chebby automatic.
Don't know why it can't be done but I also don't know why it would be done. if I were going to adapt a small engine to an auto I would use a C4, smallest American automatic made and it has a removable bell from the factory.

A little known trick that can be done to run a stick with bad legs/back. You set your clutch up hydraulic and then run your master cylinder under the floor and operate it with a clutch lever from a bike attached to the stick. Works like a champ.

 

Sir,
A Ford C4 does make more sense. Sorry, I was just going off what I had on hand. A Chevy 350. Do you know if they have an adapter plate available for the C4?

 

transmissionadapters.com

 

What is the max RPM of the Model A motor? would that be good for a modern automatic?

 

Sir, I am not too sure about that...

 

Really??? I spent months figuring out how to operate an automotive clutch with a motorcycle hand lever and what you have described will work if you have a grip like King Kong. Imagine reaching under your dash and grabbing the clutch pedal a few inches from the pivot and squeezing it with your hand. Ain't gonna happen. I had to run a remote vacuum booster and a Harley style mousetrap before I could get an acceptable pull effort

 

$1200 and here is the link to the kit.

http://transmissionadapters.com/Model A.htm

 

It is definitely not a dumb question. Go to fordbarn and search for "automatic" using the advanced search to filter to the Model A forum and you will find a lot of posts. As the group gets older there is an increased need for automatic transmissions. As you read I think you will find the Chevy 350 is not the one recommended. You might also consider using a more modern 4 cylinder and automatic. I like the 4 cylinder Chevy II type engine (but in my case with a stick transmission). The more modern engine would probably not go over well on fordbarn. After you read the archives on fordbarn don't hesitate to post your question there. Although the site is intended for stock cars when people need an automatic for medical reasons they get a friendly reception. Driving the cars is what it is about and if that takes an automatic then that is what it takes.

Charlie Stephens

 

Works like a champ I did it for scrap iron a few years after he got splattered in Nola, the cold was killing him and his woman didn't like him doing the 3 wheeler in the winter here.

I am not talking about pulling the clutch with a cable I am talking about a hydraulic master with a cable. Sorry carl I don't suggest things that I have not already worked out.

 

Bless you brother, I appreciate the help

 

You already have the vehicle but my brother had a SHAY replica Model A for years, Had a pinto drive train. I would think a complete drive train would be easier to install than a adapted trans with a engine making so little power. Too many s-10s out there with 4 cyls and automatics to screw with an adapter. Just my opinion.

 

Dang, how could you go wrong with that all laid out in front of you! Gary

 

Just when you think you have seen everything something like this comes along , WOW! I would have never believed it! Nice job fair lane.

 

The kudos should go to @primeisnotacrime . He pointed me in the right direction. I just dug to find the actual kit. Those guys have a kit for about anything. I picked up a kit last year to adapt a T5 to a Cadillac 390. They also could have helped if I wanted to adapt it to a Cadillac Flathead.

 

Ok,so it can be done but it ain't cheap. HRP

 

Pulling the clutch with a cable and pulling it with hydraulic is, exactly, the same. It's all about ratios and leverage. A 1 square inch cylinder pushing a 2 square inch cylinder is the same as a 2:1 lever ratio. There is no advantage for hydraulic over manual linkage. If what you claim is true, then my suggestion to try pushing a clutch with your hand, near the pivot, should be simple. It isn't. I have done it and have documented everything that I did to make it work. I'm not saying you didn't do it, but I am highly skeptical. But that's not the point of this thread, anyway

 

Along with the adapter kit for the automatic, you'll also have to convert your rearend to open drive and make a driveshaft, or replace the rearend entirely. Also, I'm wondering if the wishbone mounts will be affected by this.

 

If you don't already have a Model A you might look for one with an automatic. Thousands have had different engine/trans combinations installed, the Pinto was popular in the 70s and 80s.

I'm just thinking it might be quicker, cheaper and easier just to buy one than to have one changed over.

 

I would think that you would want the least power robbing AT behind a banger. Don't know how it ranks, but Graeme McNeil in NZ (www.macsspeed.com) makes/made an adapter for a small Toyota auto. The website is being revised now, but he makes quality pieces.

 

Throw an Auto from a Chevy diesel pickup/van behind it!
They have a lower stall converter and the governor shifts at lower RPM's

check out this site
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/forum.php

There is a section on Isuzu 4BD1 swaps that have a similar block casting dilemma

 

FWIW, Earliest Toyoglides were a shrunken iron Powerglide ¸(in aluminum) later Toyoglides
were a shrunken alum Powerglide, then they went to a shrunken B-W 3 speed small case (larger than a T-35.) Domestic or UK built T-35s would also work well with small, older 4 cylinders. A C-4 wins on parts availability, however.

 

Go to fordbarn.com and search for "automatic". The site concentrates on stock cars but when someone has a medical reason for an automatic they are acceptable.

Charlie Stephens

 

Transmission's bigger than the engine!

 

JMHO, but I'd start looking for a Ranger with a 4cyl and automatic to use as a donor vehicle. Then use the engine, transmission and rear end. I had an 85 Ranger so equipped, and I was pleased with the driveability. Plus you would have the added bonus of emergency service at any Ford dealership.

 

Bit over my head now,

but I have a question. Why do we use hydraulic brakes now instead of the rod brakes of 80 plus years ago?

 

The best option in my opinion is the Torqueflite 904 adaptor to model A sold by Bert's Model A.

The second engine is not mine, I wish it was,,,

 

I've got no idea, I spent a few hours looking at air brakes today. Pretty damn similar workings there from the actuators to the shoes. Instead of rods, there's air.