AV8 - Model A Trans?

I am about to start building an AV8 1930 Coupe and I am trying to verify if I can bolt a 1949 8BA flathead up to the existing Model A transmission. I have searched the postings and nothing is ever mentioned concerning this subject.

I have been told by a local old timer that the 8BA will bolt up to the Model A transmission and this eliminates all of the issues around splitting the wishbones, installing new pedals, etc… The only drawback is that you cannot slam it around because it will break, but for regular cruising it will work just fine.

Is this a realistic option?

Thanks.

GG

 

Btt, Ive never tried it, but someone here HAS to have an answer/the answer/some answer

dj

 

wont bolt up. and if it could , it wouldnt last long. you will have to fab pedal , rear trans mount and wishbone mount . id recommend a v8 trans as it will bolt to the model a rear end

 

I have a restored model A and I wish I could get rid of the ****** it is probably the worst part of these cars.
Try a T5 or that volvo ****** swap, it would be worth the effort since you are doing other stuff to improve your ride.

 

It can be done, but I would not recommend it. I had a Model A coupe back in the early 60's that had an 8BA adapted to the Model A transmission with a homemade adapter. It was probably done in the 50's and was only one example of backyard engineering on that car.

 

If your concern is the wishbone and the pedals, here is a site that offers a simple answer. I have used them myself and the adapters are very high quality. Flathead V8 transmissions are routinely installed in Model A's and, with the kit AC&R sells, it is a direct bolt-up ... usually only have to drill one hole on the transmission bell for the wishbone mount. V8 transmissions use a 4-bolt clamshell to connect the transmission to the torque tube, Model A's use a 6-bolt; just swap them.

http://www.partsformodelafords.com/store/category.cfm?Category=27&StartRow=31

Early V8's, except the V8-60, even use the same U-joint as the 'A'.

There are other issues involved in sticking a V8 in a Model A, but having to use a Model A transmission rather than a V8 should not be one of them.

... speaking of the V8-60, it's sweet in an 'A'.

 

Look into using a Pinto 4-speed.

My boss - one time Model A Club president of California told me that the Pinto engine was a bolt in to the Model A trans and done fairly often.

Seems like the reverse would be true as well.

 

Might PM Goztrider... he's got a 29 rpu with a pinto engine/trans in it!!

 

Thanks for the info - this is exactly what I was looking for!

 

Hey Jax!

I was checking out the conversion kit in the link and I see that the kit is for adapting a V-8 ****** to a model A engine....

I am ***uming that with a V8 I wont need the bell addapter, but will the other stuff work without a bell, or is the bell adapter needed in order to make everything else work?

We want to put a 39 ****** and a 40 flathead in the A...

Thanks in advance for your help!!

 

Correct, you do not need the bell adapter. The '39 transmission bolts directly to a '40 flathead. If you are installing the combo in a Model A, first off, you'll need to do something about the pedals, the emergency brake, and the wishbone.

... which was your original question.

You can get the individual pieces and do not have to buy the entire kit.

Forget the Model A transmission. Any reference I made to it was to point out that installing a V8 transmission in an 'A' is easy ... and that with the pedal, e-brake, and wishbone adapters, those issues are taken car of.

Note that those three adapters bolt to the V8 transmission ... not to the engine and not to the bell housing. When you remove the Model A transmission, you lose your pedals and the attaching points for the wishbone and e-brake.

 

Thank you for getting back so quick. When I was a kid I studied the V8 models extensivly but I never did study the "A"s much and since the sedan is still in one piece I really don't know diddly about them. Once I looked the stuff over I figuered that I would need all of the bracket and stuff less the bell adapter, but I thought I might ask before I buy bacause I have a garage full of cool stuff that won't work for what I intended...

Over the past 2 weeks we have purchased a 1940 59A and a 39 gearbox so we have to figure out how to make all of this stuff work...

Thanks for the great info!!

James