Hi All, Please forgive my ignorance, I am very new to flatheads and trying to learn. I have the possibility of picking up an S10 T5 transmission that I would like to put behind my 8BA in my 37. I understand that a truck bellhousing is needed (in addition to the adapter, etc). Is there a way to definitively determine if I have the correct one other than its appearance (ie, are there other ones that look similar)? Here is what I have: Is that it? Could this be a different one that looks similar or am I just overthinking this? Thanks, Matt
@krylon32 , might you have the info this rodder needs? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/t5-to-flathead-hardware-kit.1243522/
Since some time has passed, and no one who really knows has chimed in, I'll take a wack at this. First, the bellhousing shown is a truck bellhousing that is used to adapt the later ('49 up) engines to the earlier (pre-'49) Ford transmissions. From what I understand, that is not the piece you need. You need what is called a "HogsHead" that adapts these engines to the larger Ford four speed truck transmissions. That is what the adapter fits as I understand it. I believe "Ol'Ron" on "The Ford Barn" has adapted the T5 transmission to these engines by modifying a pressed steel 8BA car bell housing by drilling a couple of holes and welding on a tab, eliinating the need for an adapter (I believe that a spacer may be reqired). Hopefully someone that has done this will chime in and present the defiitive information.
I have what you need as far as an adapter that will fit your intermediate bell housing. I'm not the cheapest but I sell a complete kit. Been selling my kit for almost 30 years. Th bell housing you show requires more than a flat plate.
Krylon32 is Cornhusker Rod & Custom. Photo and detail here: http://cornhuskerrodandcustom.net/t-5-transmission-kit/
More photos and info here: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...flathead-t5-conversion-w-bellhousing.1244845/
Thank you all for the replies, much appreciated. So just to confirm for my education, what I have, is the truck (intermediate) bellhouse? @krylon32, your kit is the one I was leaning towards so I appreciate you chiming in here. (I have also read through all the other threads about the chinesium products, etc. ) Has the interference issue with the PP counterweights been resolved and can I use what I jave here? Grind em down? I even saw a HotRod magazine article where they cut the weights completely off! I'd like to keep the stock pedal setup but I understand there is a decision point around going with the Ford or GM setup for the clutch forks. Any advice or preference? Thanks again for all your help, appreciate the education.
I can put a kit together that will use your stock linkage. The pressure plate counter weight problem is ongoing. I will say I get very little feedback from customers concerning this issue. When I started selling my kit there were very few PP issues but thru the years something has changed. When I have a customer contact Fort Wayne Clutch and talk to LOU I tell them to order the plate without the counter weights. Hasn't been a problem.
You can buy a complete '39 pedal assembly from Bob Drake that's already prepared for a dual master cylinder and the clutch connection to the bell housing is in the right position. Buy the kit from Cornhuskers and you're almost done.
The kit that @krylon32 sells is a good way to go. But this 8ba bell housing is another possibility. It has the throw out bearing release shaft to allow the stock clutch linkage (might need to change the shaft). It has the early Ford bolt pattern but Wilcap makes an adapter for a T-5. And as a shameless plug I just happen to have one listed in the classifieds. From the Wilcap site: This is another of the 8BA bellhousings and used cross shaft and fork and shares the bolt pattern with the 49-64 Ford car transmissions. This can be used with the 1964 and up Ford Top Loader with the 1 3/8" input shaft and bearing retainer. We make adapter plates for this bell to go to the GM pattern (292-350MT BHA) and to the Ford T5 (292-FT5 BHA). https://wilcap.com/flathead.html
I used the exact same bell housing as in your first photo with the Cornhuskers kit. I cut the three counterweights off of the pressure plate for clearance and it works like a champ for a few thousand miles now. I used 39 pedals from Bob Drake. Fort Wayne Clutch's pressure plate is probably the better way to go but I did'nt know any better. Have'nt had any issues with this setup.
I was not able to find the 39 pedal assembly in the Bob Drake catalog. Was able to crawl under the car today and get some photos of the pedals I have. At some point in its life this car was converted to juice brakes. Can you guys tell from the photo if this is the original 37 pedal assembly and are these workable or should I upgrade for some reason? I will want to upgrade the master cylinder to a 2 pot anyway. Is there one that will fit this assembly or does that also push in the direction of upgrading the whole setup? Thanks, Matt
Don't know if this one will work for you or not: https://carrillocustoms.com/collect...ford-3-bolt-master-cylinder-w-dual-reservoirs Early ford 3 bolt master cylinder w/dual reservoirs
https://www.roadstersupply.com/Dual-Reservoir-3-Bolt-Master-Cylinder-p/rsc-55141.htm Dual master cylinder
You have a '39 pedal assy. Probably check as you may already have the '37 lever on the throw out shaft. Carrillo's new 3 bolt master will bolt up direct and if the bore size is correct for your brakes it may serve your needs or several vendors make an adapter to fit a two bolt dual master to you existing pedal assy. The adapter would give a wider choice of masters to chose from.
Thanks, thats the answer I was hoping for, that these were already the 39 pedals. And thanks for the MC suggestion, that looks like what I need as long doesnt stick up through the floor. Looks pretty tall. I will go check around for the rest of the throw out parts, I have the old tranny here somewhere. Thanks again for the help!
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