Machining a French flathead

Hi
I've just been offered a 255 French military flathead to stick in my 51 Mercury
I'm thinking of taking it to a machine shop to get the bellhousing milled off and the block tapped to accept a late model 3 speed 49-51 overdrive trans and bellhousing. Has anyone on here done this or similar and has any tips
Thanks
neil

 

Buy an adapter instead Or just make one.

K

.....................................
Taildragger&fenderless

 

Doesn't the block have the standard '32-'48 Ford bell housing? If it does. all you need is the '49 Merc transmission. It still has the old style bell on the front.

 

That is what I was going to say. Why would you do that so that you can bolt on the adapter Ford used in 49?

 

Dale Fairfax is 100% correct. The stock 49-early 51 Mercury transmission bolts right onto the cast on bell housing. Comes in overdrive too.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-lin...ories&hash=item1c30b007f6&vxp=mtr#ht_96wt_924

 

I am sure he is asking about machining as he is in FRANCE where 39 Mercury trans are about as common as a Simca Aronde trans in Texas!

 

He said he wanted to bolt a 49-51 trans to it.

 

I just went and looked at both me early and late motors. Even after machining I don't believe you can get the surface needed to tap holes for the late bell housing on the early block. Spacing is critical to get Flywheel and starter in the correct place. I've done lot of Odd things to old iron but seeing what I have on hand I think I'd just plane not try it. Like mentioned a 49/50 Merc overdrive or a T-5 would be my choice. They have been done and no machine work to them.
The Wizzard

 

do not mess with the block - there are a lot of impurities in the metal used. bolt on stuff sounds better.

 

From the statement of doing the machine work it sounds like he's talking 49-51 Ford not Merc.
The Wizzard

 

What they all said ! That 51 Merc OD trans is a bolt in. Same exact bolt pattern as the older Ford trans. It also has the 10 spline input shaft.

4TTRUK

 

That's the best news i've heard in a long time
thanks

 

Just to be real clear here. 1951 was a different unit and 51 Only. It is not what you want for the early Block. 1949-1950 and some real early 51's. They are what you want. They look just like the 1940-1948 Ford Car ******. 1951 Merc used what became the standard 4 bolt gear box case with a 1 year only Merc only bell housing and it only fits the last generation Flat Head blocks. You do not want that set up.
The Wizzard