Yeah, I know Rocky has left the building for awhile, but on the off chance he checks in I wanted to let him know how happy I am with the 8CM motor he sold me -- with the 4-inch crank harvested beforehand. No matter, I got one in a barter deal with Differ Dave so everything is cool. I picked up the big pieces from the machine shop yesterday, following bake-and-blast cleaning, and the castings are outtasight! I doubt they were this clean when they left the foundry. The block is standard bore with so little wear that it will clean up at .030 over, for which Vern has a set of NOS Mercury pistons! Gonna bore it next week and then begin porting and mods. I'd like to have it done and in by Fathers Day but that's a bit iffy what with all the other tasks between now and then. Fear not, you'll get to drive it during Speed Week. I have the essential pieces for the T5 conversion, including a new T5. Vern has an adapter that attaches the T5 to the truck interim bellhousing, so there's no muckin' about with linkage; everything bolts right up like stock. The Tardel adapter spaces the trans back about 1/2 inch so it's likely that I won't have to trim the input shaft. Thanks again, Rocky. That was the best three hundred bucks I've spent in years . . . and of course there was that "extra" complete 8BA that came with the package, along with a couple hundred pounds of ***orted and useful Ford hardware. Helluva deal!
Somewhere Rocky is smiling! That sure is a pretty thing. Not to hijack your post Mike, but could you puhleeez (re) post pix of your flathead porting job if/when you get a chance? I have the (way) OLD techomatic post, with a LOT of red Xes. Following your progress, Keith
[ QUOTE ] I have the essential pieces for the T5 conversion, including a new T5. Vern has an adapter that attaches the T5 to the truck interim bellhousing, so there's no muckin' about with linkage; everything bolts right up like stock. The Tardel adapter spaces the trans back about 1/2 inch so it's likely that I won't have to trim the input shaft. [/ QUOTE ] Mike - I have a truck bellhousing like that and was going to use it for my T-5 conversion, but I ended up trading for a Offy adapter. I measured both and the Offy is 13/16" longer than the Ford. From that measurement, I would think that if your adapter plate in only 1/2" thick, you will still need to trim the input shaft. Keep us posted on the progress. I hope to see it Father's Day. Neal
Neal -- Thanks for the heads-up. Vern has done several of these and I'm just along for the ride at this stage of the project. It's a great opportunity for a how-to.
What bell housing do you have to hunt down for the conversion to a T5?? Then is there an adaptor plate that Vern sells? Sam.
Wayno- Thanks for that link! And Mike thank YOU for that article. As always, great info and, WOW nice pix! -Keith
Big -- The T5 will be going into my F-1 with the new motor. Sam -- The two-piece bellhousing was used in Ford trucks with the non-synchro four-speed . . . possibly other applications but I'm not certain. BTW, I've changed some of my porting methods and tools since I wrote and photographed the how-to piece. I'll post an update later today, after I've shot some more pics.
Mike--Was this the same bunch of greasy junk I helped load into a late model parts hauler about this time last year...?
The Jalopy Journal
