Needing advice/help. Anyone here know if an auto trans - can be adapted to Model B engine ? What would be your advice for which trans would be best for a Banger engine ? Id like to learn from anyone who has done this successfully ! Adaptor needed ? Who makes such an adaptor? Helpful ideas on how to proceed ?
When you say Model B are you talking 4 cylinder or 8 cylinder. A while ago someone was making a kit for Model A's but I haven't seen the adverti*****t for a while now. They might have got out of business, as I didn't think they sold many. I'll look thru a few back issues of MAFCA and MARC magazines.
Found it. Check out a company called PATC, Performance Automatic and Transmission Center in Bossier City, LA, 318-742-7353. They make the entire kit for $1500.
I'd think not enough to write home about But most of the guys who want an automatic behind an A or B 4 banger aren't very interested in performance until they figure out that they just used up what they have getting the trans to function. Some would be internet expert says you loose around 2% with a Turbo 350 I realize that there are specific reasons for folks wanting an automatic over the stick. Every time I get in my OT truck my left knee hollers "you going to make me do this again?" As it doesn't want to push a heavy clutch.
Aluminum case Powerglide. Lighter, smaller, less rotating internal m***, 4 & 6 cylinder versions were air cooled and had 1.82 first gear. Ray
The same reasons STILL exist. But it seems that only those who have those ‘reasons’… understand the need.
You and most others feel this way, based on what you know. And, for the most part you are right on ….normally. Are you aware that these days, guys can and do make a LOT of horses…say 80 up to 200 hp…with 4 Banger ! Is that enough , in your opinion, to activate a light tight automatic ? Granted I can buy a couple new crate bow ties… for what it costs build a hot Banger. Cost effective…ha.
Let's see here... Stock Model B is what...40-45 hp at a cruising speed of 1500-1800 rpm? Lighten the flywheel by 35 pounds for more throttle response, high compression head, header, carburation, distributer work.... IF you're lucky, you've got about 75-80 hp. If you want to sell a kidney and your firstborn child, you can buy more hp tricks, but be ready to spend $$$$. How well will that work with an automatic trans? Fine IF you've matched the trans to the engine. The TH350 is more suited to higher hp and torque. I don't know what was used in S-10 four cylinder pickups, but the Chevy II used a Powerglide, Ford had a two speed Fordomatic... I'd be looking at one of these (or similar) to more closely match the engine characteristics. JMHO, YOMV
You were on the right track, to improve the meager Bs hp. You/ I would have to keep going… if We wanted to get enough hp…. To accomplish what we want, that is auto trans use ! Say 150 would be good number. Your correct , in that there are better/ worse trans choices. I would be relying on guys here and other sources to select trans that would work best. No one has mentioned the Chrysler slant six 727. Old timers, injured or not…. favored this model. I’d like to check that for sure, eh !
Fun…yeah, goals reached ! As Im hoping to start out with +\_ 250hp, Im kind of confident and interesting to see how well it does. I really need to pick knowledge of experts HERE. Guys who know auto trans and how they work. I know very little. Thats the BEAUTY of HAMB. Guys here do know and share. Like anything else, I suspect the tricks of auto trans will be revealed.
I found a magazine article on a Model A that was hooked up to a slant six 904. With that one, you would have a place to mount the starter.
Sounds like a good article to study ! Do you have any objection to posting the article here , or maybe I can pay for a copy from you. Thanks for your input ! Rick
As mentioned, S10, etc with 4 cyl automatics, then a bit further back in the 60’s and 70’s you had the Pintos and Vegas. My sister had a 4cyl Vega, almost sure it was a two speed auto(PG maybe?), i can’t imagine it had a much HP/tq, but it would make the climb up through the hills to Sonora, Ca., 5 days a week. Is this to be a driver or a racer? I only ask because I wonder what it takes to get to the HP levels on a FH banger 4 cyl that you’re looking at and how streetable it would be. Are you planning forced induction?
I’m looking at naturally aspirated carburation( at this time). NO, not flathead , but OHV CROSSFLOW 8 Port. I’ve thot on what is streetable use , or not in my situation. I’ve been advised that to ‘compete’ at say the salt…at least 300 hp. As this is not my goal, I disregard that number. However, seems that 250hp +\_ may be attainable and streetable. A lot of us like to bench race, eh ? May not occur. Driver or racer ? I am driver, but… Why not both ? Id be happy to drive to antique nats, have a go, and drive home !
Let’s say that a TH350 is removed from a running car. Q: Can the 350 be directly replaced by say… an alum POWERGLIDE ? Are various auto trans….. same length ?
Alum PG and T350 are generally interchangeable. At least as far as the overall length, output shaft splines, mount locations, cooler lines, and shifter location. The air cooled PG doesn't have the cooler lines obviously. 6 cyl PG with cooler lines also used the 1.82 ge****t. V8 PG had 1.76 first gear ratio. I am not sure on what exact details, but do know the Vega T350 had other lightened internal parts and roller bearings vs bushings to reduce m*** and rotational forces in factory effort to help the hp loss through the auto trans. I think a Turbohydramatic 200 (sometimes called the metric 200) may be a good choice over a T350. The T200 was used in 70's small engine cars, it is 3 speeds. But I think lighter internals so less hp loss. The T200 has one-piece case from bellhousing to output shaft. No bolt on tailhousing. That is an easy way to ID one.
I hear you, but I doubt a banger 4 would stress one. The Super Stock drag guys use them heavily modified to chase records.
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