I figured i'd ask hoping someone may have ran into this and knows what may work as a subs***ution . This is what I have,a 283 sbc 39 ford trans ,wilcap adapter , 168 sbc flywheel. but I cannot find anywhere a 1950 merc pressure plate (yes i have checked everywhere and have checked with Fort Wayne Clutch, they have no cores , wilcap apparently has sold out ) I have been thinking i will just run the ford Long 10" pressure plate and have flywheel redrilled to the ford pattern pretty straight foward right ?, I just want to make sure im not missing something here such as the merc pressure plate having a different height where the throwout bearing rides or what have you. Im pretty set on keeping the 39 trans , but i wanted to ask here hoping someone has already run into this .
I took my flywheel, 11 in. long pressure plate and throw out bearing to South Bend Clutch . I told the guy I wanted a 10 1/2 in. diaphragm pressure plate and a disc to match the spline on the T170 trans. I re-drilled the flywheel to the pressure plate pattern. I think your plan will work fine. Make sure you have enough clearance between the center of the disc and the flywheel bolts.
I used a 10" long pressure plate on my 51 F1 with a 283. I just replaced what I had as it had already been drilled for the Long pressure plate. I got my pressure plate from Ft. Wayne Clutch. I have the part number in my files and will look for it if you need it.
The Jalopy Journal
