Can a 200-4R be used with split wishbones in a '39 Ford?

I’m running a small block Chevy with TH350 in my ’39 Ford. I used a Ch***is Engineering transmission mount and split wishbone kit on a stock X-frame. Has anyone used this setup with a 200-4R transmission? When I talked to CE at Good Guys in Columbus, they weren't very helpful. It looks like I’ll need to trim the bottom mounting plate to clear the pan and move the mount back about 6”. Are there any interference issues with the X-frame that I don’t know about? Will the pan clear the wishbones?

 

I'm contemplating the same thing. Anyone do this?

 

i haven't done it, but knowing where the X member rails are, and knowing how wide the pan is at the back on that trans, I'd say not without some serious cutting.

 

The question is, "Is it serious enough that you have to relocate the wishbones?"

 

Moving the trans mount back 6 inches in 35 -40 frame requires modification to your x member. The transmissions are almost the same length and should not affect your CE trans plate/WB mounts. As I recall the rod ends push up from the bottom of the plate and do not hang down. You should be O.K. with the bones as is. Spreading the bones farther apart would require changing the spring to a narrower one. I will see if I can find a drawing of the pan differences.

 

I have done several TH350 trans versions of that, and a C4 Ford. I have transplanted a couple of 200r4s into other ch***is, so I'm fairly well versed in this stuff. My gut feeling tells me that the trans will not slide back far enough for the wishbone mounts to become the problem. The trans pan will hit at the back edge of the pan against the X -member on the p***enger side before that becomes a problem. I remember some one offered a kit that was sort of round about and none to sturdy to solve this problem that involved cutting the lower rail off the X- member, and replacing it with this piece that kind whipped out to the p***enger side underneath. I saw magazine articles on it one month and it was gone the next. Didn't look like a very well thought out deal though. Just my .02.

 

I have done it on my '39 ford pickup. I'm pretty sure they are the same frame. I used the same CE mount. I just notched the bottom plate to clear the pan and move the mount back. Also had to make a small notch in the bottom frame rail again to clear the pan. It's a tight fit and hard to remove the pan but possible. In my opinion the 200-4R is a great ******. I am running a 3.08 Chevy rear and at 80mph just bumping 2 grand. Good luck.

 

Cool, you are right, they are the same frame! I think his secondary concern is wishbone mounting, how is yours set up? I'm curious about this because a client recently asked me about this swap for his car. I have to agree with the 200R4 being a great trans. Lots less bulk than the 700R4, and not nearly as power hungry.

 

That's great news, HRs&HDs! Can I bother you to post an image or two or send them in an email?

Thanks!

 

I didn't use wishbones but it seems to be room. You just have to figure out where they fit best and make them do what you want them to. I will try to make some pics tomorrow and get them to ya.

 

In my '36 w/ 283 and 2004R I needed to trim the lower frame rails on each side to clear the trans pan. (Ford used the same basic frame from 35 thru 40) The 2004R is the same overall length as a 350 turbo, but it has a wider and longer pan. The motor mount is also about 2 inches further rear. I didn't use the stock wishbones, and I don't see how you could, but most anything is possible. Good luck.

 

After going to a local car show over the weekend and crawling under a '40 Ford that was there, I realized that there is another solution: I can remove my split wishbones and replace them with a four-bar setup from Speedway Motors.



Duh! I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier. It gives me the room I need in my X-member without having to run IFS. Plus it's cheap.

 

Here is the link to the instruction sheet. http://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/916-39108.pdf

Does anyone else make a 4 bar set up for a '35 to '40 ford?

 

I know its not what your thinking, but here is mine. I split the bones just to the outside of the trans mount. I also notched the frame for the bones so I could have more travel. 350/200r combo totally fabricated and not stock I know, but it's what I'm running in my 39.

 

So, just for closure, I thought that I would post what I did. I swapped out the split wishbone for the Speedway 4-bar setup and was pleasantly surprised with the improvement in ride quality.

I pulled the engine and trans. The frame needed a little bit of t******* but I just made a template of the transmission pan using cardboard and used that to mark the frame and cut it. Easy peasy.

Lokar sent a kit to convert the shift pattern from the TH350 to the 200R4. That was simple. The biggest pain was to get the shifter in the same location coming up through the floor since they mount in different locations.

Finally, I trimmed the Ch***is Engineering transmission mount to clear the pan and redrilled the plate to allow for the different mount location. I think it was 5 7/8" but don't quote me on that.

Once the engine and trans was in, I discovered my mistake in planning: The speedometer cable is also further back than on the TH350. And, since I'm using an electric sending unit, it hit on the frame. So, in order to get that in, I had to hack a hole in the side of the frame to allow for it. It would have been 100 times easier if the transmission was not in the car. So, if you are going to do it, plan ahead for that.

I didn't have much of a chance to drive it before I put it away for the winter but the transmission is a big improvement on the freeway. It's nice driving at 60 without the engine screaming at 3,000 RPM.

At any rate, here's how it looks under the car now. (Yes, I hooked-up the wire that is hanging.)