Featured Hot Rods Oh lord I bought another Ford

1940 Merc and Ford are the same. Those are after market rims to convert '37-39 to sealbeam. I've got a pair that I bought at Portland Swap Meet in their original box that have been sitting in the pole barn for 30 years.

 

No knowledge on the 8ba to 39 3 speed?

 

It's this a fact?

 

8ba is like a "modern" (to you and me) engine - think sbc....a shoebox comes with a stamped steel bell that looks like a mini SBC*****ter shield - what you need is the 1/2 bell from a truck or pre 53 merc (one is cast and the other is stamped steel but both do the same thing - make sure you get the matching starter plate and you will likely use the early flywheel too - pic of the merc version below

 

Yes. As said above, you want the matching starter plate as well, those can be harder to find than the bell itself. The cast bells from the big truck will take a bigger clutch but you probably don't want the big truck clutch anyway. The Merc bell is stamped steel and acts like a*****ter shield, that one is the more desirable one.

The cast ones have a stamped "can" to house the starter nose, which also goes missing a lot, another thing to look for.

Neither version is crazy expensive or rare, they're somewhat common.

 

Andy is bringing me everything from a running/ driving car. It's complete. I've been told it'll fit right in, and I've been told I gotta buy a bunch of stuff to make it work lol... hell I don't know, I'm a Chevy guy

 

To keep the stock trans you need the 1/2 bell I posted above - that will make the back of the late (8ba) flathead look like the earlier (59ab) one that's in the car now - the stuff that is on the motor you are getting from Chandlers car would only work if you converted to open drive and fabbed up a new clutch pedal and linkage

 

If it is actually an 8BA (rather than an 8CM, 8RT, or1CM), your still gonna need the Merc or Pickup bell and starter plate, and the proper clutch set up. (8BA's are strictly '49-'51 Ford cars with the small 4 bolt transmission pattern; EAB's and EAC's are are '52-53 cars also with the small transmission pattern.) If it's a Ford car, you're gonna need more parts. With a '49-'51 Merc, you probably won't. When I did my '36, I had a complete '50 Merc, which made things real easy.

One last thing; you should probably use '48-'53 truck water pumps. as they fit the '40 chassis better. I have seen folks make brackets to use the Ford water pumps, but it's not the best way to go. Truck pumps take the wider fan belt, as do '49 Ford cars. '50 and up use narrow fan belts which complicates the procedure. Mercury pumps are quite similar to the truck pumps, but the mounts are higher relative to the engine. In any case, spacers should be used to raise the front of the engine to the right height.

 

^^^^That green 4 door is what I’d do!

 

Chevy guy here also. Flathead stuff is cool, but all the different variations make my head hurt.

 

Yeah this is more work than return. Especially to end up with 100hp. Thanks guys

 

I think you’re a closet Ford Guy lol
Dan

 

Putting a Chevy in an early Ford is easier than falling asleep.

 

100%. But I'm just gonna sell it. Not build it.

 

No. Can't afford them. And how many bellhousing patterns do you gotta remember to be a Ford guy?? I only need to know 1

 

Dont you have a Falcon to work on anyhow??????

 

I have multiples! But they are on the back burner. Falcon is beside the shop, wagon is in the driveway at home, and a truck that needs to be blocked out and sprayed so I can sell it. Lol

 

I think the problem here has become one of semantics. Forty years ago, it was cheap and easy to put a later (8BA type) flathead into an earlier Ford using readily available junkyard parts. That is no longer the case. A lot of general knowledge has been lost as well as access to most of the parts. The Merc flywheel/pressure plate is a case in point.

Back then, a trip to the local used auto parts dealer could provide the parts and knowledge you needed. Now, both are scarce. If Fomoco hadn't lagged on modernizing their Mercury's and pickup trucks, we all would be in a world of hurt.

 

Bottom line is that all mentioned above is Correct and it don't matter if you go with the 8-BA or the Orange Bow Tie. It's just a little work and money. Pick your Poison.

 

Any chance you can get the original motor to run? If it’ll start - good selling point, if it drives a little, even better.

 

Nice score. I've had a couple of '39 Fords, they're great cars both in looks and drivability.
I didn't see it mentioned, what's the story on the engine that's in it?
Stuck? Totally roached? Rod through the side of the block?
In the pic it looks like it's pretty complete. Any chance you might be able to get it to run? That might save you some work and some extra pesos....
Edit: @bchctybob wuz quicker on the draw.

 

I’ve bought at least a hundred old Fords over the years and I get just as excited today as I did in 1974 when I bought my first one. I would be just as happy driving a 66 Fairlane as a daily driver today as I was fifty one years ago. I wonder if there’s a twelve step program for driving one brand of clunkers your entire life? lol

 

It probably doesn't these days for the reasons I mentioned. The BIG difference back then is you could put a late flathead in an early car using only junkyard parts and no fabrication. Try that with a bow tie.

 

I figure it's rusted beyond running. The carb is froze also. I might look at it a little closer this week. But I seriously doubt that thing ever running.

 

My dad used to say about tractors “there’s always one more job left in it, until there isn’t “

Never hurts to try.

 

If the original engine isn't seized it just might run again, put some oil in the cylinders and see it will turn over with a wrench. If so, it may be less work to get it running than swapping in the late flathead... If the crank won't budge then go for the 8BA.

 

Oh it's seized lol. I just found a sbc to early ford trans adapter on marketplace for a good price. Might go that route. Or at least throw it in if I sell the car. I told Andy to keep the 8ba, I'm not interested in it anymore. Not worth that time.

 

For the early ford trans to small block chevy engine your going to need to find the elusive 1949 to early 51 Mercury Borg and Beck pressure plate which they don't make anymore. It has short fingers to clear the large Ford throw out bearing. That's what I'm having a hard time finding right now. Borrowed pic from another thread.I think Anthony Myrick posted it.

 

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