I have a 430 MEL engine I am looking to use in my '39 Ford PU and have a few questions. First I am uncertain of the year of the engine. I have heard that going by the casting number on this engine is not that accurate in determining the year. I personally have not yet tracked this information down so can't personally say either way. Second part of this is I am looking to bolt a manual transmission to it. I have read that the 58-60 MEL engines have the same bell housing bolt pattern as the FE engines. There after the starter location was moved on the MEL so automatics are the only option without going aftermarket. If this is true what would be some options for OEM manual transmissions. Should add this is a temporary setup just to get the truck on the road for the summer. So I do not want to invest a lot of money if not necessary.
You cannot do a MEL without investing a lot of money. The '58-60 stuff takes FE like you said. Bellhousing bolt pattern, flywheel, starter, etc. Everything else is MEL unique. If you have any other year you either have the stock trans or a very expensive adaptor. Think mine weighed 1070# with no ******, just the basic engine. Some weird things go with a MEL. Lots of good info out there. Everything is expensive for one. Sold mine to a friend and put in an FE instead. SPark
https://barnetthighperformance.com/430-462-lincoln-engine-rebuilding/ https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/430-lincoln-engine.517958/ Here's one for sale on the HAMB to give you an idea of cost etc https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...engine-fresh-hilborn-isky-roller-cam.1143407/
If your engine is a runner and will accept a FE bellhousing it will not cost any more to install it in your truck than a FE would. Just get the stick components from a 66 or newer ford pickup. that way you get a better starter and full syncro trans.
Been playing with cars now for about 65 years. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that just because you have an engine, or you can get it cheap, isn't a valid reason to spend a lot of time and money finding parts and complicated installation, especially when it's a temporary thing. This especialy applies if the engine weighs 1020#.
Don't get too invested in the nay-sayers. If every one stopped what they were doing when someone else told them not to do it, we would still be swinging from branches throwing rocks and poop at each other..... Yes, a MEL is heavy, but it is a great, high torque engine with large cubic inch potential (500+ with an offset grind and bore). It won't cost you any more to rebuild than a 354/392 Hemi, and weighs about the same. Remember, machine work is generally the same cost no matter the engine type. Yes. FE's are lighter, but FE's are lighter than most engines, especially with aluminum intakes and heads. For perspective, A FE with an aluminum intake and iron heads weighs LESS than an all iron SBC. Check this thread out, another HAMBer (Yblock292) stuck a 430 into '39 Coupe, so it is not a far walk to stick one into a '39 Truck. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/430-mel-in-39-ford-coupe.849180/ The only OEM option for an automatic is using one of the variations of the Cruis-O-Matic that came with it. The early MEL's with the FE bellhousing motors offer more transmission options. A 4 spd Top Loader will be your best bet to stand up to the torque (The weakest 2 bbl 430, still generated 450 ft-lbs). The heavy duty 3 spd+OD found in 406 / 427 Galaxie's was the only manual Overdrive option ever offered behind a FE.
Sorry been away for little while. Some great information. I should note this will be temporary for this truck but will be used in another vehicle as a daily driver kind of thing. So to invest a little would not be a terrible thing. I am not concerned with the weight of the engine or the difficulty in putting it together. I was told the engine did run and does turn over by hand so we all know what that means. I have made some phone calls and talked to some people. Here is what I have come up with at this point. I would be further ahead to go with 5spd such as Tremec TKO500 which will be more than enough trans for this application. Concerning bellhousing I am told the 390 FE is very close and may be possible to modify a bellhousing to work. One such as Quick Time bellhousing. Another option is to make an adapter plate. Local machine shop said they could do if a dimensional drawing could be provide for them to work off of. So I would need dimensional drawing for both the 62 MEL and the 390 FE. One more option I did discuss was going with a Cruz-O-Matic bellhousing and modify the trans end to adapt manual trans or make adapter plate. Concerning the flywheel, I have a flex plate and talking some others with this flex plate a flywheel could be made rather easy. I would be running a hydraulic throwout bearing so that problem is resolved. Obviously this all goes against my original idea of trying to keep cost down but that's just how it goes sometimes.
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