Ive got a Cragar adapter to go from SBC to early Ford trans. My question is what flywheel and pressure plate should I use? Thanks, Mike
you can use a chev flywheel, but ID use the flathead psi plate an redrill the flywheel and use the flathead disc also. i dont know if the disc is a diff. thickness than a chev but the dia is smaller. and i dont think you shoul run a smaller disc in a larger psi plate(chev)
I have that setup.......283 to early Ford trans (40) and I have a 57 SBC 168 tooth flywheel, a 50 Mercury pressure plate and a 40 Ford clutch disc. All without modification. OR You can buy it all from Wilcap...... http://www.wilcap.com/webdoc8.htm Speedway sells a pilot bearing that works........about $20.
[ QUOTE ] Also, DR's setup requires a '49-50 Merc throwaout bearing. [/ QUOTE ] That's neat to know.......I do not know that. I have had it apart a couple of times but I did not do the conversion. I have changed the flywheel, pilot bearing, clutch disc and the pressure plate. The throwout bearing was good. The old 40 was done back in the 50's and I am just it's current 'caretaker'.
Not to hijack this post, but a friend of mine is considering this swap and we were wondering what starter you have to use. The engine is a 74 350. He wants to get all the right stuff together first so we can do the swap on a weekend. Thanks guys. Billy
You use a early SBC 168 tooth flywheel starter. Mine is like the ones found on 57 Chevrolets. It bolts to the engine adapter. The stock 57 starter bolts to the bellhousing. In this case, the adapter works like the stock 57 Chevrolet bellhousing. The head looks like this. The rest is standard GM starter. Look on the right side of the picture, at 4 o'clock and you can see where (on the adapter) that the 3 bolts around the bulge mount the starter.
Tommy, just so I can be planning ahead, what would the whole set up cost? All I have currently is the engine and trans. Thanks, JH
DR, I did not know your 40 was a multi-speed set up.. How do you like the set up? has anyone used a Hydrualic clutch or are you using manual linkage to presss/depresss the fork? I have always wondered what folks used..
[ QUOTE ] Tommy, just so I can be planning ahead, what would the whole set up cost? All I have currently is the engine and trans. Thanks, JH [/ QUOTE ] I have an Offy adapter, Chevy fly wheel, Merc clutch, Ford disc and the early Chevy starter motor. All of them were in a Deuce sedan behind a 56 265. I'd have to check on their condition. It's been a few years since I looked at them. My email is in my profile. I only mention it in case a HAMBer is looking for them. Bruce, can you tell me the difference between a Ford T.O. bearing and the Merc. It has to be the diameter of the face that meets the fingers. Everything else is early Ford. I didn't save the T.O. I would put a new one in.
Difference is in size and shape of surface. The Merc one fits early Ford case. Should be available from Joblot if not in local sources.
[ QUOTE ] DR, has anyone used a Hydrualic clutch or are you using manual linkage to presss/depresss the fork? I have always wondered what folks used.. [/ QUOTE ] My old 40 is using the stock setup. I have rebuilt in all but it is stock. The clutch is very easy to depress (proper arm to pivot ratio I guess) and all the stuff is available. When I had the 283 out for a rebuild, I also pulled the transmission. News seals, main shaft, a couple of synchronizers, and U joint help the transmission. I replaced the bar (# 01A 7510) in the bellhousing that holds the throwout bearing. Dennis Carpenter has them NOS Ford. The little ball on the side of the frame and the half shell bushings that go on it are also available and were replaced. Clutch level pins,springs and clevis are also to be found and were also replaced. I bought the 40 up and running (sorta) and had all good intentions of putting it on a new TCI frame. I bought the new 40 Ford roller frame from TCI at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville in 2000. It is still sitting (in the way) out in the shop. Maybe someday........my wife wants it streetrodded......SBC, 700R4, air, Halibrands ...me I like it the way it is.....old and funky. The stock 40 trans/rear end ratios seem to be well suited to the little 283.........but the 3.78 rear end ratio is just a little bit much for Interstate 95. .... at 75 the motor is turning 3100 RPMS. I have a 3.54 to go under it but that's a BUNCH of work for a 200 RPM reduction...... and the old 3.78 is as quiet as a church mouse.
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