My old age and old knees are forcing me to consider an automatic in my Model A. I’m sure that some, somewhere, has done this before. i would appreciate any input. I already have an open driveline and a Ford 8” diff and the original 4 Banger. Motor has been modified and is producing 80-125 HP. I don’t know if the losses caused by the automatic would be too much for it to work.
Ford C3 transmission from a Pinto / Capri /****** /Cortina In the European spec cars they were OK[ish] behind a gutless 1600cc SOHC They have a separate bellhousing which would make adapting easier
I remember reading about one in Rod & Custom in the 70’s that had a Torque Flight mated up to a banger, not real sure what was involved?
Here is one of Dan Inola's adaptors for a sla nt 6 trans to model A or B. I would be willing to sell.
I think the Shay (Model A imitator) uses a Pinto engine and automatic. I think given the similarities, your A would do just fine with an automatic trans, and it would be a reasonable alteration to consider. I’m almost 80 and have an F-150 three plus OD trans in my 29 cabriolet, with hopped up banger. I worried about my hip and knees until I started driving it. I was pleasantly surprised my clutch pedal was soft enough to not be an issue. I only changed the clutch arm to a slightly shorter one (from Snyders) and that changed the pedal geometry just enough to give me the softer pedal I needed.
I have a mid '70s 4th Edition Peterson Ford Book that includes that same or similar article, written by Jay Storer, detailing the installation of a Torque Flight behind a "B" engine in his '29 A. Biggest issue was the transmission input shaft not exactly 90 degrees to the bellhousing face, requiring additional adapter machining. The end result though was very good.
Bob, could you post a picture of the cover of the book? I would like to try and purchase a copy. Thanks
You would have to find the selector which matches the trans, some early ones had no "Park" position, just neutral and park brake (which was mounted on the back of the transmission).
Here are the cover and Automatic A article pictures from my kinda beat up Ford book. Not a lot of detail and minimum pictures on just two pages, as many of the articles are in this book.
I had a 1967/68 Cortina automatic for the missus here. It was a Borg Warner T35 that was also fitted to Volvo Amazon. Now i can't remember if the Cortina was 1500cc or 1600cc.
Known as the Borg Warner 35 . Also used in Ford Cortinas Mk1-3 [Mark 4 -5 used C3's] And in small displacement Aussie Falcons [63-85] plus Aussie Valiant 6's In 84 the Aussies used an upgraded version in Falcons the Borg Warner 40.
A C4 is pretty compact size. Used for many years behind 4 through 8 cylinders. I would guess that slant 6 adapter shown previously was used with a 904 automatic.
38, I have nothing at all against a C4 in fact that was my first thought. It’s really all about the availability of adapters to make it happen. And also about the parasitic loss that comes with an automatic. A Powerglide would probably work well but I think that the hardware required to use it would be impossible to find. Probably someone somewhere has done that but they probably had equipment and skill that I don’t have.
The two-speed automatic from the early '60's Buick Special was tiny. A two-speed might be OK behind a torquey banger.
I once had a 4 cyl automatic S10 truck. It had overdrive and it was a PITA because it kept downshifting/upshifting at the speed I needed to drive. You won't need overdrive with your engine because it most likely won't have the power for OD ...........but the point here is that even with a 1:1 high gear, it will benefit you to have more gears to help the engine. Also you want one that doesn't need a lot of HP to drive it, as some trans require more than others. Might take a look at some of the earlier Hydra-Matics that were used not only in GM cars but by other companies as well. The formula for todays vehicles seems to be about "more gears" and small engines. Some of it is to meet gas mileage standards, but it does seem to make them responsive as well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra...Matic),developed for p***enger automobile use. OR........it might be simpler to adapt a later model engine that already has a mated transmission...whether it be a 4,6,or V8. Depends a lot on how handy you are at adapting and if you will need machining or can do it yourself.
Vega Powerglide IIRC didn’t use an external cooler, that might also be an idea if you could find an adapter. Now, on th the push ****on Torqueflite. At least in 1970 Art Carr Transmissions made a stand that floor. mounted the “typewriter” in place of a floor shifter and marketed to drag racers. You might look for one of those or fabricate your own, for some reason I think it used the Chrysler “face” and ****ons and I’d imagine ot had a fabricated shorter cable to control it.
If I were you I’d get that adapter from Post #4 and post an ad in the HAMB cl***ifieds for a slant six TorqueFlight. There’s a lot of small automatic transmissions to choose from but as you said, age and equipment limits your ability to make anything else work unless there is an adapter available for it. Any automatic you choose will change the feel of driving your Model A but how much does that really matter as long as you can take it out and enjoy it without aggravating your knees.
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