Long story short I own. 31' ford roadster and I'm on a budget. I got a running 1953' flathead from an f100 for free so my obvious decision was to install it in my roadster now... This particular year Flatty is a pain!! center mount in the front side mount at the bell housing, and it was a 3 on the tree truck there is no shifter on top. Now my question is anyone know of a place or easiest way to mount the set up? Or I have an old toploader 3 speed that I could install behind the Flatty but the information I keep finding always seems to leave the "*******" 53' flathead out leaving me with limited information on what I would need to install the 3 speed. Thanks for any help!!!
A T-5 mid 80s S-10 would work or a T-170 from a 83-87 F-150.What rear are you going to run?Or get an after market floor shifter.
Make up a floor shifter from swapmeet 3speed shifter body Make up a column shift if you have the parts from the donor 53, (if you have room)
I was going run the banjo rear for now I already have the open drive shaft parts for the rear, and I was trying to avoid going out and buying a mother ****** when I have two good transmission laying here.
On the old 3-speed...if that means early ford with integral bell you need a stack of fairly available (HAMB and Ford barn want ads) '49-Merc or '48-52 truck adapter and clutch stuff. If engine is headed for Model A, just swap to '48-52 pickup pumps and get matching crank pulley and generator, all again easy to find on here. This gives you same as early flathead mounts and simple frame tabs finish the job. Mounts were instant with Hurst part A-28 (frequently on sale here) but those can be replaced with simple fabrications or exact Hurst copies from Tardel (below)
I put a 39 three speed behind my 53 flathead. I also used an f1 crossmember to fit it all in. You would need to modify the cross member but not hard to do. There is a guy on Instagram who makes them for your modification but can be more pricy. I will get back to you on that, not sure what his name is but I do follow him.
I have the 84-87 trans in my avatar w/4 cyl and want to learn what it takes to put it against a 53 flathead v8
Some one in the Dallas/FW area makes that kit but it involves a lot of other changes. It's somewhere here on the HAMB. If you mount the engine far enough back, you can bolt the v8 trans to it. Use that pickup truck crossmember with the master cylinder and pedals. You will need to make a mount for the wishbone, depending on which wishbone length you use. Do you want tradition or want to shred the tires? That will decide which transmission. I used a '53 engine with earlier 59 AB heads and crab style timing cover and those short water pumps. Hope this helps. Glynn.
We put a T5 against our flathead in the roadster. Can't imagine a better set up. T5 really makes the flathead come to life. Well worth the effort.................
Or I have an old toploader 3 speed that I could install behind the Flatty but the information I keep finding always seems to leave the "*******" 53' flathead out leaving me with limited information on what I would need to install the 3 speed. Thanks for any help!!! How 'old' is 'old'? If you have the toploader used in the '60's that was also the basis for the T-150 used in Jeeps: I combined one of those ******'s, the Jeep top mounted shifter, a 1950 Ford stamped steel bellhousing, and came up with a slick way to use a Speedway hydraulic clutch. (Even tho' they say it is for Chevy's only.) If interested PM me and I'll write up a step by step conversion. It does require about twenty minutes on a lathe.
Due to not being able to clutch due to injuries, I went with a C-4 transmission with my 1951 8BA flathead. Changed my motor to 12 volt and use an alternator instead of a generator. If you decide to go this route, check out the Powermaster alternators for the flathead. A bit pricey but it maintains the look of the flathead. I have a video of it running some where here on the HAMB.
there is nothing "*******" about a 53 truck motor - it just had a front engine mount - something Ford used in trucks thru 1965 to include the Y block and FE like I have in my 1965 F350..... It's all aboutt water pumps like Bruce said...different frames take different front mounts.... if your going early the 3 speed will get it done....or if you want to keep up with a SBC and have money start getting the adapters and late model stuff...
The oddball center mount bolts to the holes near front cover that also held 1932 mount legs. Four bolts and off. Actual pumps are '50-53 p***enger pumps...
I know this may sound weird, but a Volvo M40 4 speed, is a good and solid gearbox. Tested thoroughly in the school of hard knocks, lol I don't know where you are located, but there is at least one in North Cali. http://portland.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=volvo+122+parts+&sort=rel Or Baltimore http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts/5662456195.html It's a good box, 4 speed, full syncro and a nice long shifter that shift very well
the toploader that most guys use is the one with the dual bolt pattern where it bolts to the bellhousing. you have to enlarge the hole in the bellhousing.
More info http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-cheap-and-easy-4-speed-to-flathead-v8.452937/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/volvo-m40-transmission-conversion-in-model-a.951708/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/time-to-build-a-new-car-for-the-hills.737344/page-4 Maybe there is something you can use.
Thanks I will try to get some photos and keep y'all up to date. Also, I'm in western Pennsylvania. And Budweiser, I would hate to get another transmission when I already have two good ones but will see
Which doesn't mean much but I did. Find a t5 for 250 locally that works from an s10 maybe y'all pursued me some
Are you calling me Budweiser? [emoji33][emoji15] I'm not drunk, I'm from Denmark LOL [emoji12] I thought you was asking for "cheap gearbox alternatives", or how to mount any gearbox to you "******* flatty". sorry for misunderstanding your posts. My bad, do I need to delete my ramblings?
Haha my bad and sorry and no of course not someone maybe able to use the info I ending buying the t5, so I may go that route and I'll be selling the other 2 granny's
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