If one were to find a 52-54 ford that originally had a 6 cylinder in it, what would be needed to bolt up the flathead (52-53)/ y block (54)and overdrive trans? From the factory are all the v8 mounting holes on the front crossmembers the same? Are the trans mounts the same? Just wondering because in the near future I would like to get a 53 or 54 business coupe but if it has the 6 cyl I would want to either put in the flathead or y block with the overdrive trans
American 1954 Fords first year of the Y-blocks would not be a good choice the mounts are totally different to run a flathead, 1954 Canadian Fords still had the flathead. Putting a y-block in a 1952-53 Ford is no easy chore either this is how,this applies to 1949-53 Fords http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/anybody-got-a-y-block-in-a-shoebox.177373/
The question is kind of confusing. What I meant was, say I got a 53 ford with the original 6cylinder, and auto trans or non overdrive trans,what would it take to put the flathead and overdrive in it? Same if I got a 54 with a 6 cylinder what would it take to put the yblock/overdrive in it
54 was the first year for the y block in a p***enger car so I'd expect that to be a easier swap. I swapped out a 6 for a y block in my 56 and the crossmember was fine. I needed the bracket that bolts to the block for the clutch that supports the z bar. I had to make a rear trans crossmember because the T85 OD I used was from a different year car. A bellhousing for the y block also. I ran new fuel line because the 6 cylinder fuel pump is on the opposite side of a y block. Radiator,fan,pulleys, etc,etc. Your best bet would be to find a parts car and pull all the V8 items. I know of a 54 with a y block on a junk yard. I can get you the yards info if you need it.
If you were going to use only the same year parts, then it should not be a problem as I believe all the correct mounting holes should be there. This goes for whether you do a 52/53 (flathead) or a 54 (YBlock). All you have to do is locate the specific V8 parts for either. That's why a V8 parts car would be handy.
The downside is if you want to add any horsepower goodies to either the Y-block or the flathead they will not come cheap you might want do some pre-pricing first this is why many go to a later powerplant just because of the costs involved.But this can be fun and a good traditional eye catcher.
If the 6 cylinder in my car would have ran better I would have kept it. I had plans to put a Fenton split manifold on it with a Offy 3x1 intake. I like the uniqueness of a uncommon power plant.
I've been driving my 53 with the original 6cyl for 43 years and I have always gone everywhere my friends have gone in their modified cars. made many trips where I drove 300 to 500 miles in one day. But if you want to change to flathead v8 go ahead. They use the same motor mounts, they just go in different holes which are already drilled in the front crossmember. Transmissions are all the same.Biggest change is the radiator with the flathead which has 2 upper and lower hoses. I personally have always liked my 6cyl especialy with the split manifold which makes the 6cyl sound SO GOOD!
Another upside with the 223 Six is they were used for many years after even in Ford tractors and parts are far less costly than the flat head. Flat head Fords also have over the years been known for overheating which was never an issue with the 223.
I did the switch on a '53 Customline from a 6 cylinder standard 3 speed to a V8 flathead with a 3 speed overdrive. Here is what you need: 1. 8 cylinder radiator support upper tie-bar 2. 8 cylinder radiator 3. 8 cylinder clutch crossbar mounting bracket. Bushings interchange. 4. 52-53 8 cylinder bell housing, pan and shield 5. 49-53 flywheel, clutch, clutch and t.o. bearing. Stock pilot bearing works. 6. Overdrive relay, wire harnesses and kickdow switch 7. 8 cylinder firewall throttle lever 8. Change exhaust pipe(s) 9. A bit of wiring changes 10. Temp and oil senders interchange. 11. Driveshaft interchanges as do front motor mounts 12. Re route gas line A bit of work, but fun to do. Switching from an auto to standard is more complicated because of adding clutch linkage and a standard shift column. Although my engine has ARDUN Heads, the basic block and mounting is Flathead V8. Yes, all mounting holes for a V8 are there.
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