I plan on mating a 57 Chevy 283 eingine to a 39 Ford toploader with a adapter. Very common for many years. I have an adapter and pilot bushing that I picked up over the years and figured I would be good to go when I was ready. Well now I'm ready and have a slight problem. The early 283 starter mounts to the bellhousing and has no provisions to mount a starter to the block. The adapter I have has no provisions to mount a starter to it. IT is a 3 bolt starter the one that was used in the car the enginge came from. I guess my question would be is there actually two Different adapters for SBC to early Ford? I could use the one I have if I was using a later engine that the starter bolted to the block, but that won't work in this case. After a conversation with my son last night we are gonna look at the Adapter we have again when we get to the shop and see if it could be drilled to accept the three bolt starter from the 57 engine. I knw I have seen post from Wilcap here and my have to talk to someone direct there and get the info I need. If there are two different adapters and anyone has the earlier one and would like to trade let me know. Thanks HAMBDOGS
Hey Roadstar. Yeah there were different adapters made. The one I have on my 58 block is a Cragar and has the starter mount. The one you have, I believe will need the cast iron power glide spacer used between the block and the adapter. The starter mount is on the spacer. _____________ Vagabonds cc
so I admit I am asking this without doing any furthur research but where do you find the adapters? I was thinking of running the exact set up as I have a '57 283 as well. Only if $$ doesnt allow me to buy the flathead I want.
Well got to the shop and checked this adapter closer, no way to mount the early style starter. I just looked on the Speedway website and they show the Trans adapter for Chevy to early ford trans and it looks like in the pic I can see the ears to mount the starter to the Bellhousing. I did a Merc for a guy about 10 years ago and he supplied the Adapter and I remember having to use the early style starter But he supplied The adapter, and for some reason I think I remember him saying it came from Speedway. it was new also. You guys do realize back in 1960 or so when someone whould have been doing this swap, the guy would just walk into the auto parts store and ask for the engine adapter he needed and BAM the gear head behind thge counter would know exactly what he needed and either had it in stock or could order it up and have it in few days. Try walking into Murrys and as for a engine adapter to put a 283 chevy in a 32 Ford with a 39 Ford transmision. The guy would probably say his computer doesn't go back that far. Bye the way, when did the 283 Chevy become a vintage engine
both times i have done the SBC to `39 transmission the adapter had the provisions for the three bolt starter to bolt to it , you can see it in this picture but on the last one , with a 153 tooth 12-3/4" flywheel i justed used the standard staight across starter..it was later pulled ou for a t350... i believe the the outer hole is already in your block...you would just need to drill and tap the inner hole by the way , this hole set up is for sale ...$500...if it will help you out
Hey, Rudy...get ahold of Tim and have him see what adapter is on his truck. That's an early 283 or 265 in there mated to a 39 ******, maybe he or possibly Steve (at LimeWorks) can help point ya in the right direction.
Ok I checked my old offy catalog and one you probably have is offy #5192 This is the one that requires the powerglide starter ring from 55 and up . ______________ Vagabonds cc
1950 Mercury Pressure Plate. Bolts right up to the Chevy 10 1/2" flywheel. It's a 3 finger Borg and Beck type. Use a 39 ford 9 1/2" clutch disc. My Speed Gems adapter has a "cup" portion and the starter bolts to it. I also have a 1957 283.
Does the bolt pattern on the adapter match the block if not you need the old cast iron powerglide ring.
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