Howdy all, Sometime rather recently I managed to acquire two different cars in various states of disrepair for pretty cheap. A rolling 30' A frame that looks like it was just pushed off the line, minus engine and trans, and a 26' Touring that seems to have spent the better part of its life resting on the bow of the ***anic. However, during that time the drive train somehow remained in remarkably good condition, cobwebs aside. Now to the question. Many a time before I've seen folks put A engines in their T rails, with some m***aging. But, what about the other way around? Now I understand this isn't the ideal arrangement, and it may warrant some scoffs from the popular collective, but it is what I have come to acquire and if possible, would net me a running driving car for far less than most. So, what do you think? How much of a headache would this cause? And will it be more than what I'll get when the wife finds out the two definitely HOA violating heaps of s**** i just drug back home will NOT in fact be "easily combined" to make a pristine show car?
Sure, it’s going to take some work to get the project done right. Rome wasn’t built in a day you know. As for the headache it will cause, well let’s just say it’s not a good idea to make a woman angry.
Bad Idea IMHO. You're going from a 40hp manual trans A, to a 20hp 2spd "auto" sorta kinda. strange ignition you probably know nothing about, T's have a square connection at the drive shaft as opposed to the splines the A & v8 have. No idea about the length difference between the A & T, but I would guess the T is quite a bit longer due to the 2 spd auto. The "auto" , I call it because it really is a 2 spd automatic except you operate the clutch bands with your foot instead of a modern auto that does that with hydraulics. Same basic principles going on inside a modern auto. The A frame is much improved over the T, I would start saving for a brookville body and build that. The T by itself would make a good base for a speedster, but mixing the 2 is not going to have good results.
I would definitely put the T on the A frame. However, patience is your friend. A engines and transmissions can be had for pretty cheap if you take your time. I picked up an A for $100. I've seen them for less, and I've seen them for more but at the time, it was a great deal.
Let's think about the result. I have a low miles suvivor T. It was refreshed in the fifties. Runs like a top. Due to the Lack of speed, the absence of brakes ( of course with A ch***is you get A brakes ) It is really only an early Sunday morning toy. On the back roads its in the way. On the 4 lane it is out of place. Also I gotta side with chryslerfan55.
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