I see these adapters all the time... They say they fit Early Olds and Caddy Motors Do they simply bolt up to the engine and then the early ford******* bolts to them ??? I have a 303/324 Olds V8 with tripower...also a '39 Top Loader, and a 39 2dr Sedan that no one seems to want to buy....So I was thinking of at least putting it together.... I know that I will need an adapter, I was just wondering if these were as simple to use as they sound ?????? Any and All Advice Will Be Much Appreciated !!!!
That's what the Olds/Cad to early Ford looks like, in general. Definitely for early Ford trans, but something doesn't look quite right to me with the larger bolt pattern. It MAY be correct...I haven't had one of those for about 5 years. In any case, yes, the plate bolts to the extended bell block and the Ford trans to the plate. You do need to have the correct pressure plate finger configuration for the TO bearing, but it's one of the simpler adaptations. Ray
You also need the pilot bearing adapter because the Ford shaft won't reach the Olds crankshaft pilot bushing, and the Olds bronze bushing is way too small ID anyways. A warning of sorts... All 303 and 324 cranks came with a bushing that is the same for Hydramatics as well as standard trans...EXCEPT the 1956 S-88 and 1956 98 A/T cars. Those 2 engines had the Jetaway if the motor came with A/T, and Jetaway cranks are not drilled. If you have a 1956 engine from a Standard-shift or a base model 88 with the Hydramatic, then you will have a drilled crank. So, you need to remove the stock Olds bushing in the crank to fit the adapter bushing; It can be either a bronze bushing in a steel extension, or many were a steel extension to use the Ford ball bearing pilot. I used a stock Olds pressure plate, and it worked
Here is the Wilcap pfd link on that adapter that should explain a lot. http://www.wilcap.com/303EFM.PDF
on a 40 ford you will need a mini starter to clear steering box or relocate the starter to passenger side