http://www.ford-y-block.com/truckt5.htm They can modify a stock bellhousing from a 223/215 from 1954 and up to mate it to a T5, which is a pretty appealing option if my 4 speed ever grenades on me...However...my truck is a 53, all original... Did they change the bolt pattern in 54 or does anyone have a clue as to why this wouldn't work on a 53? I've got a rebuild 215 that I will be stuffing into the truck with the stock 4 speed and a new clutch...Maybe I should quit picking at straws and be happy with what i've got...
I would like to know this aswell. Nerd: Did you rebuild the 215 yourself? Where did you get the parts for the rebuild?
The parts CD I have doesn't appear to differentiate between 48 - 56 light-duty 3-speeds, other than some minor details. I think they are saying '54-on V8 and ALL 223/215's.
My friend and his father helped me...this is my first engine and car project. A LOT of the parts had to be cobbled together. Fel Pro gasket sets are readily available on ebay. All of the bearings can be found on rockauto.com. Camshafts aren't available anywhere, especially for the 215. There are a few people regrinding the 223 camshafts (dizzy is in a different spot, not interchangeable). Pistons were kind of a ***** to find. EGGE has them but they cost a small fortune. I lucked out and found a set of .030 over pistons on ebay for $80ish. The water pump with a bolt on style pulley is also somewhat of a rarity. We are just going to rebuild the current one and hope it doesn't go ***s up on me too soon in the future. I still need to call a few places and find a harmonic balancer/pulley for it. Does anyone have experience rigging up a late model alternator to this engine, or the 215? Summit lists a direct bolt on for it, but at $370 (non-polished) I am inclined to make do with rigging something up...
i put an alternator on my '54 sedan using the generator mounts, by cutting it in two and turning it around to accept the alt bosses. unfortunately this was about ten years ago and the car is long gone as well as any measurements i took. it amounted to finding the best fore-and-aft location to keep the pulleys lined up. i used the wiring harness from a 1stgen Mustang to wire it up. that old 6 was strong as an ox. wish the body of the car was as good!
The Jalopy Journal
