Technical Flathead Auto

Hello everyone, this is my first posting on the HAMB, i usually just read other threads,
Did Ford have a 3 speed auto with overdrive available around the 52 - 53 era, behind a Flathead V8 ? i have seen one for sale and was just wondering

Thanks, larry

 

Not a 3 speed auto with overdrive, but a 3 speed manual with an automatic overdrive.

 

OK, Thanks for that, i will have to check the wording of the ad,

Again, Thanks, larry

 

Mike51Merc, You're right, I think i must have read the ad wrong, I have a 34 Ford pickup with a 5.0 windsor with an auto, i am going to take the 5.0 out and hopefully find a 49 - 54 Ford or Preferably Mercury Flathead and put some sort of auto behind that

Thanks, larry

 

Ford used the Ford-o-matic behind the flathead, that would be "bolt-in". they came both air cooled or water cooled and look alot like the later cruise-o-matic transission. I don't know if you can use the cruise-o-matic behind the flathead without any mods.

 

i don't know a lot but i do know i have a automatic trans from a Merc flathead in my stash.

 

Go with a C4 and a Flat-O kit and forget the ol stock auto you will be a lot happier ...........

 

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's much appreciated, I had all intentions of using a 49-53 8BA engine but just in the last couple of days, both on this forum and also with a Flathead expert in Australia, i sorta getting the impression i might be better off with an earlier 48 for my basis, some people seem to think the blocks are better ??? I will still be going for the Auto, such as a C4, as roseville carl suggested

Thanks Again to everyone for your input, larry

 

I was always led to believe that the '49 - '52 8ba was the best block to use........

 

Since you're in Australia, you can get via Mike Davidson an adaptor for a Toyota 4 speed auto. It's very easy.

 

Clem, until a couple of days ago i have always been under the same impression as you, but i'm now not so sure. X38, i have been in email contact with Mike Davidson over the last week, we have had daily emails back and forth, As i said previously i am taking out a tickford 220 KW XR8 with a 4 speed electronic auto and replacing it with a Flathead, i am very seriously considering one of Mike Davidsons engines, although Mike tells me he is trying to get out of it and retire.

Thanks, larry

 

Well, if that's the case you have access to the best auto transmission information already.

I have seen several of the Toyota conversions and used one myself on a customer's car, so I know they work.

 

Thanks X38,
At this stage i'm talking to Mike about the engine and how far i should go with it for a fairly much, daily driver, i'm also trying to get as much info as i can about EFI for it and possibly even Mikes 8 stack EFI system, although he tells me EFI has fallen from favour over the last few years, i can't understand why that is. I have told him i want to run an auto, so if it all goes through with the engine i will do the auto through him as well

Thanks for your interest and input, larry

 

The stack EFI has a real problem with decent filtration for a street car. Plus, no vacuum facility. That and the fact that it's EFI and which is too modern for old style hot rods. Generally, people who want flatheads tend to do so because they want something period = carbs.

 

Mike told me via email only last week that he is working on some 97's with EFI in the new billet carb bodies themselves and the butterflies become the throttle bodies, i am actually waiting for a response from him on that