I'm just getting started on a pre-war looking dirt track and dustup speedster. Just for fun on our property and the occasional car show. I plan to have some fun and use the big Flathead 6 from my 51 Ford F1. Yes it's big, but will strengthen up things. I plan to leave the ch***is at stock height but sink the motor down lower wit solid underslung mounts, we'll use the banjo and torque tube. The Flatty 6 had a 3 speed crash box. Works ok, but just a bit of a pain to drive. The motor is strong though. I have the option to get a 37 Ford 4 speed with synchro in top 2, out of a 37 Ford Pickup running a Flatty V8 and torque tube. I'm trying to keep relatively traditional rather than using a new trans... Two questions: 1. Do you think this would be a better or easier-to-drive option than the current 3 speed crash box? I don't want to change if it's not going to be any different to drive. 2. I have a shop that can build an adapter but its not cheap. Does anyone know if it'll bolt up, or if not, is there an adapter available online somewhere? Thanks guys! Julian
OK.... The transmission on the flat six looks to be a the non-syncro (spur-gear) 4 speed. They did have a HD 3 speed but 2nd and 3rd were syncronized like the the standard 3 speeds. The spur gear 4 speed uses a "hogshead" mini bell. That "mini-bell" can be modified to fit many transmissions, namely the Ford toploader 3.03 and even the T5. You don't have to....make a special adapter...you already have that hogshead. I get what you are doing but I think the 1950s-60s tractor sheet metal is really cheesy for this build.
Thanks heaps, really appreciate the thoughts. Don't worry too much about the M***ey front, I'll only be using the hinged top/curves. It'll have an early ford grille and a truckload of fabrication from front to rear with low swoop door entry. The rear behind the seat will actually be a pickup tailgate sectioned down and then bent circular using a pile of pie cuts, welds and a slip roller. I'm pretty good on the fab side. I promise it wont end up looking like a cheesy tractor build. I put that in as I was experimenting with how narrow a body can I go to snugly compliment the flat 6. The tractor top flap is pretty cool as it'll give access to the spark plugs. I do appreciate the thoughts on gearbox. We're pretty limited here in NZ partswise.
No idea about best options for transmission. Reading your purpose for building the car, the plans for driving it. Looking at the completed work, I think it is going to be very fun & cool. The tractor sheet metal does bring a great smile .... Ok am LOL What I do see is quality work & a creative imagination. I can't wait to see more of it. Carry on sir!
49-51 F-6 and larger trucks could get a M series six 254" Look for the M on the head and a better exhaust manifold. Later truck 4 speeds were syncro in 2,3,&4th . You will never need 1st 'granny'. Newc
My suggestion would be to change everything from the flywheel back. Here are the reasons I say that....... Getting a newer trans will give you many more options for more closely spaced gearing which will be beneficial for skidding around in a field or track. An open drive will be easier to service. An inexpensive rear end such as an S10 Blazer or 8.8 Ford explorer can easily be found with some good gearing in place and a factory posi unit. You need some type of traction device on dirt or you'll just spin one tire all the time. There are lots of 5 and even some 6 speeds available out of furrin cars and mini trucks like Rangers and S10s. I know you want to try to stay nostalgic, but if you end up racing anybody, you will want something that gives you a chance. Then later you can adapt one of those funny hairdryer blowers to the exhaust and really throw some dirt. Guy took me for a ride in a rat rod last year with a 4 cylinder and one of those hairdryers............let me just say that I was IMPRESSED.
Yuppers, that is a Granny 4 speed on the back of your six. If it were me (and I am still looking for a 3 speed to go behind my flathead ford six for a similar project) I'd hunt down an F 1 three speed and go open drive. maybe even get the 46/48 banjo rear end to go with it. Snagging Vanpelt's F-1 trans page for show and tell.
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