Hello everyone, I posted on the introduction forum...and I ask if anyone knew of an adaptor to hook up a sbc to a model "A" transmission. So I don't have to write it all over again...if anyone has any advice about this please read my post on the intro forum. Thanks in advance for any help I can get. Thanks, Sonny48 LIFE'S A GAMBLE...LET EM' ROLL
I would not suggest using a Model A transmission....its really weak and along the same thought so is the Model a rear end...my 2 cents
Most of the fellas use '39 Trannies. Sometimes they adapt Zephire(sp?) gears to 'em also. As has been stated the Model A ****** and rear is a little on the weak side to handle a modern V-8. Look in the cl***ifieds to find an adapter for SBC to Ford. Anything that would adapt a Flat head V-8 car will hook you right up. Hope that gets you headed in the right direction.
Thanks everybody for your response. As I stated in my original post on the intro fourm , I have no intention of running this car hard. It is an excellent original car that I drive. I thought about the 39 trans, but if I do that I think I would have to change the whole drive train...which I would rather not do, because I want to be able to put the car back to total stock condition when or if I decide to. But I love the patina on this car So I will not change any part of that. I'm not certain of the H.P. of a stock 283 two barrel, but I thought if I could just set it in there and hook to the original drive train, I could drive it easy and be able to keep up in traffic with out getting run over. the top speed of the car now is about 40 mph, and I'm sure it's because of the condition of the engine. And everybody who rebuilds em' wants $3000 for a stock motor and $4000 for a touring motor I know if I change the trans and rear end I'll have to do some cutting.. boxing and changing on the original frame. And I'm afraid if I start that it will end up with a blown small block in it,and I don't want that as this is a really nice original car. If I could figure out how to put some pics on here I would. When I go to add pics, I click on browse, it won't go to my pics. I know I'm doing something wrong, because it works on any other site I get on. Well thanks guys for your input. I was just hoping that there would be a way to do what I was thinking about. Thanks, Sonny48 ______________________________________ LIFE'S A GAMBLE...LET EM' ROLL
Its not likely that if you drop a small bloxck in it that you are going to drive it easy at least not easy enough for the A drive train to hold up. Not a lot of cutting and welding involved if any at all to go with the beffier rear and ******. Anytime that you add a modern V-8 to a model A there will be some frame boxing involved or at the very least suggested. It is just a given, the 80 year old banger ch***is is just pretty flimsy for a V-8 swap without at least little strengthening.
I know a 283 2 barrel from an old pick up is around 145 hp. As for beefing up the frame, maybe you can make the pieces bolt in or fab them to look like they were there from the factory...or a combination of the two.
Do I understand this correctly? You want to mate a small block Chevy to a Model A transmission and keep the rest of the car stock, so you can put it back to original condition when you want to. You are going to run mechanical brakes, convert the SBC to six volts, keep your original shocks and steering, radiator, etc? C'mon man! Think about it.
Have you measured a 283 or any small block chevy, it will not fit in a 30-31 without some cutting no matter what transmission you run. Some guys run a Pinto motor (2.3L) hooked to a stock Model A drivetrain, that would probably be the easiest swap.
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