I bought an adapter to hook a 289/302 Ford to an early ford three speed. From the info I have found I have to run a 164 tooth flywheel but what I am not sure of is what clutch pressure plate to run. Would a long style clutch for the 289 work with the flathead throw out bearing? Or do I need to have my flywheel drilled for the flathead pressure plate? What size clutch will fit in the early three speed? Most of the flywheels are set up for an 11 inch clutch. Will that clear the bellhousing? These are some expensive parts that I really don't want to eat if they won't work. Thought I would check here first. Thanks in advance guys!
Long style should work. You don't have to get an 11" clutch. They make a 10" ( or 10 1/2" I forget ) for SBF and match early Ford disc ( dia. ) to pressure plate. Ran the same set up with Y block and 39' three speed years ago. These guys could help you out... Buffalo Clutch 716 892 2828 Art
Am I wrong again? Didn't early (39-48) Ford V8s come with a Long clutch? Long time since I had a '39 Ford, but that is how I remember it.
Use a Ford diaphram pressure plate and disc. 10", as I think the flywheel is already drilled for that PP. 1987 -1993, as I recall
I installed a 302 against a stock '41 ford ****** using a trans-adapt bell. instructions spelled out what flywheel, clutch & starter to use and instructions on how to locate/pin the bell to the block. Can you get any info on your adapter from the manufacturer?
Just curious, why would you want to mate them together? How long is that trans/drivetrain going to hold the 302? Seems like a major weak link in my head, or maybe I'm wrong
Its an old adapter that I am pretty sure is a transdapt... but not sure. Looks like I'll just have to buy some parts and cross my fingers!!
They ran early ford trans and banjos in drag cars behind hemis and everything back in the day. Ran fast times too like 10s. They are strong enough for a street driven custom.
Another thing you might make a quick check on is does the adapter mate to the engine? There was a change in about 1965 (don't hold me to the exact year). I would expect the adapter to have the earlier pattern and the 302 I would expect to be the later pattern. Charlie Stephens
Had mine in for about 2-3 yrs. Numerous 1000 mi. trips at highway speed on interstates and no problem with drivetrain. Problem I had was clutch never was smooth and pilot brg could only be installed half way in so the ****** input shaft would engage. Believe a bit more engineering on trans-adapt's part would have helped.
The earlier 289/260 had a 5 bolt bellhousing the later had 6. My 289 and the adapter are both the 6 bolt.
That's what scares me... a bad feeling/ operating clutch can be the most annoying thing in the world!!
164 tooth 28 oz flywheel with flathead 10 inch pressure plate. Order a new clutch kit and I'm in business. Flywheel came from jegs for $100. Thought I would post my solution / findings incase anyone else tried this. Should work great!
This is what I run in my F-1. 1968 302, 68 302 Flywheel, 6 bolt Hurst/Transdapt Bell-housing(long out of production), 1950 clutch, 3 finger pressure plate, and 1950 throwout bearing. Honestly it's real fun. 2nd gear is a blast and it will hold 2nd as long as you are pulling. It does not like to coast in second at all. Too many RPMs coasting in 2nd and she'll pop out. I know my transmission is worn but I think that design was prone to that. All in all it's real good combo. The only warning I have its to be easy with the transmission low gear...In other words don't dump the clutch and do burnouts or some other nonsense or you'll be sweeping up transmission parts.
Awesome! It's all going in my 46 ford coupe. I have a flathead powered Model A too so I've been warned about cluster gear clutch pop! Haha! Excited to get this together! Thanks for the confidence boost!
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