Hemi to early ford trans advice

I am planning on putting my newly aquired 354 hemi in front of a '49 F-1 Ford manual trans. (open drive). This is a 3 speed trans and about as beefy as they came. Any thoughts on potential problems. The trans adapter is common and I am sure this has been done many, many times. It will be going into my '30 dodge. Some have told me that this trans will not hold up.

Anybody know whats behind Loudpedals Hemi? I will need to ask.

Give me your opinions.
Kurt

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I've considered the very same thing with my 354.. I've got an OD 3 speed ****** from a 53 Mercury I'd like to use, but the costs for the adapters are about the same as a more reliable, more up to date ******, so decided to hold off.. I'm still looking..

Would like to try a stock hemi automatic flex plate ring gear/ starter and index it to a turbo 350 ****** myself.. I'v got the hemi pattern and the SBC pattern ****** plates in 1/4" steel, and I was thinking of adapting the SBC torque convertor to the stock Hemi flex plate, and chaseing the correct alignment between the two plates with spacers welding it up.. All theory though.. Just junk yarding it..

PA

 

I was planning on doing the same with my 331. I contacted Hot Hemi Heads and they told me this was not a good idea. These trannies were not strong enough. He suggested using a Muncie or Mopar stick or Turbo 350, 400. They have a good variety of adapters for just about anything. Wilcap is another one to check out. I'm gonna use one of their's with a Ford Toploader ('64-'78) 4 spd.

 

Long bell 331 & 700-r4. Homemade adapter.

 

Look at the power and RPM the original 1949 engine in front of that transmission made. Compare to the hemi. Problem is apparent, even if the trans is overbuilt for it's original application. Not to mention speed-shiftability. I was in your position about 6 months ago and ended up using a chevy adapter on my 392 because GM manual transmissions are widely available & fairly interchangeable. Really opens up the possibility of scoring a great-condition, hurst shifted muncie or super T-10. As an added bonus, most vintage ansen ****tershields for sale are chevy.

Happy shifting!

 

As easy as we used to break Ford & Merc transmissions with Flatheads in front of them, I'd hate to think how shortlived one would be with a Hemi in front of it. '49-'51 transmissions are no better than the '32-'48 when it comes to strength.

 

sounds like trouble. I am even wondering if the t10 is going to hold up behind my 270 poly.

 

So I gather that the adapter for doing this is just what was available in the day. This thing is still being produced by several companies...why? I have decided to take the advice and focus my attentions on using a later model trans. Anybody need an early style Ford 3 speed that is open drive and beafier shift forks?

 

Chevy ran the hell out of those T-10s behind a zillion 283s and 327s. I'd expect you'll be fine. Sounds like a cool setup.

 

Early ford trans adapters were most likely the first made in large variety. So from a manufacturing standpoint it was easier and cheeper to make one adapter for the chrysler to ford, and just use an an existing ford to packard, lasalle etc. for additional applications. This way with one newly engineered adapter(chrysler to ford) the manufacture could offer a large vatiaty of adapters at a lower initial expense.