I did a search, but couldn't find much here on this so... what later model tranny will BOLT UP to the two-piece bellhousing found on the truck V8 Flatheads?
BIG trucks or just the little ones?? are you refering to the thinish bellhousing that allows a late motor to take a 39 style gearbox? or the bigger truck bellhousing used for those massive 4 speed boxs? Late or early engine?? If 8BA style, you can get one of the 8BA bellhousings and virtually adapt whatever you want with some though and machine work.
I take it you are talking about the back half of the bellhousing on 3/4 ton and larger trucks, the one with the left to right symetrical bolt pattern. As far as I know, only that non-syncro large truck trans. Nothing else. But, you can modify that bellhousing to accept the narrow bolt pattern T-10 or a Ford toploader that has the narrow pattern on it. You might also be able to fit the Mopar 4 speed up to it. If you've got an 8BA, ditch that bellhousing and grab one of the stamped steel bellhousings from a '50 Ford passenger car. They are VERY easy to adapt to all sorts of transmissions including the narrow pattern T5.
No late model transmission shares the same pattern as an early or late flathead. You'll need to be looking for an adapter or completely new bellhousing to fit your motor to the trans of choice - it may not exist. From there you will be left to figure out flywheel, clutch, and throwout bearing issues...or I suppose converter issues if you want an automatic. I'd think the outfit you buy the adapter from would have that part figured out though. What do you have and what are you wanting to do exactly?
Thanks for the response guys. I've got an 8RT motor out of a 48/49 3/4 ton. (F-2). After rebuild, I want to bolt a newer 3 or 4 speed to it as I have an open drive-line rear end. Hope that helps.
Frank Oddo wrote a mag article about using a Ford 4spd top loader and all Ford parts, I might be able to dig it out after the holidays if no one else steps up. Out here a popular setup is using an oldie Lakewood SBC scatter shield which has plenty of meat to drill for the flatty pattern. I havent done it and dont know what else is involved
Carl, I think the article you're thinking of is one where Frank modified a Ford stamped steel bellhousing for use between an 8BA and a Ford toploader with a T176 Jeep shifter. Another similar article that (I think) appeared in Streetrodder by Tex Smith (again, I think) used the Offy flathead to something adapter to adapt another 8BA to a modern trans. He used the stamped steel ring and he had to make a slim spacer that went between the adapter and the transmission (again, I think) to correctly position the trans. The only ALL FORD conversion I know of for a modern trans to a flathead is to use the stamped steel bellhousing to adapt a T-10 or a dual pattern toploader to an 8BA. If you've got an early flathead, I think you're stuck using an aftermarket adapter or you will have to make an adapter plate that adapts the cast iron heavy-truck half bellhousing to whatever trans you want to use.
286 Merc: That article would be great if you come across it. I'd like to stay away from spendy adapters right now. Modernbeat: Any info is appreciated. Probably going toward an all Ford type setup. Just what tranny and clutch setup is what I don't know. Thanks alot guys. Rick
Check out Speedway Motors, Lincoln , Nebraska, they have an adapter for flathead Fords to adapt GM trannys. I don't know what else they will work with, call them or look up their website. I don't have their catalog handy, or I would give you their phone #. If you don't find it PM me and I'll get it to you tomorrow. -slacker Flatheads forever!!
El Rio, what type of flathead are you working with? It make a big difference. Like I've said, If you've got an early one, you just about have to make an adapter, or purchase one. Making one isn't as hard as it sounds. Just make a 3/4 inch thick plate that's got countersunk holes that match your existing bellhousing bolt pattern. Open up the center hole the same diameter as the bellhousing. Then, on the transmission side of the plate, open up the center hole enough to accept the bearing retainer of the trans of your choice, and just deep enough to not have any interference. After all that, then drill and tap the holes in the plate that match the transmission bolt pattern. If you really want to get percise about it, get some tubing or pipe with 1/4 wall thickness and just slightly larger outside diameter as the bellhousing center hole. Slice off a ring about 3/4 inch thick, and turn the OD down so it's a press fit in the plate. That will positively transfer any shear loads from the trans, to the plate, to the bellhousing. If you've got a late flathead, I still say the easiest adaption method is to use a stamped steel Ford bellhousing. The only downside I've found using this method is that the clutch throwout arm is a different type than early Fords. You have to change out the clutch linkage for a later type, or go with a hydraulic cylinder on the arm, or a hydraulic throwout bearing. I'm using the hydraulic throwout bearing. Adapted one from a late model Camaro.
Modernbeat, do you have pics of that hydraulic throwout bearing conversion??Which Camaro years??? Thanks Michael
"El Rio, what type of flathead are you working with? It make a big difference" BEAT: I'm using an 8RT motor out of a 49 truck with the ugly 'ol 4 speed. Want to see if something bolts up to the bellhousing/intermediate plate that it has. Thanks
Rio, a 49 F-2 should use the factory Ford adapter ring as a bellhousing and they're easy to adapt a modern S-10 chevy 5 speed tranny to. Flat Ernie nailed it. I bought one of the Speedway adapters that will bolt directly to your factory Ford ring. It comes with pilot bushing adapter and the throwout adapter---goes over the S-10 tranny bearing retainer. You get to take out the stock ford throwout fork and shaft from your old ford tranny to use in the new adapter, which, by the way is an Offy unit sold by Speedway. Use an S-10 clutch disc after doing a little grinding on it...I can send you a little hand-drawn diagram if you end up going this route...Mine worked slick although there was a little grinding to do for the starter to clear.....nothing to worry about. The adapter kit is a little over $200. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat.
Having said all of that, if you have the 4-spd mini-bellhousing, it's relatively easy to fab up a spacer plate that will adapt virtually any transmission to the truck ring/early bell. That's my plan with this Rover SD1 trans anyway...
[ QUOTE ] Having said all of that, if you have the 4-spd mini-bellhousing, it's relatively easy to fab up a spacer plate that will adapt virtually any transmission to the truck ring/early bell. That's my plan with this Rover SD1 trans anyway... [/ QUOTE ] Just as Modernbeat and Flat Ernie have said, you can use the truck 4-spd bellhousing. I was planning to do the same. I made a pattern for an adapter to go from the truck bellhousing to an S-10 5spd. I ended up trading for an Offy adapter so I never made the piece. I have it drawn up. If you want I could copy and mail it to you. To be clear you use parts A and B. The adapter goes from B to your late model transmission. The adapter for a GM trans would look something like this... The blue holes bolt to the Ford truck bellhousing, the orange bolt to the GM ttansmission. Let me know if you want a copy of the adapter pattern. Neal
I have one of those big old truck 4 speed trannies around here from a '47 pickup. It has an adapter ring on it that includes the clutch throwout bearing fork and cross-shaft. I think someone has adapted one of these before to an S-10 T5 five speed. Let me know if interested.
Hey Nads, i have one of these bellhousings and could use a drawing to make an adapter-plate to an S-10 box. Can you scan and email it to me? Or is there anybody who has such a plate laying around?? Thanks Michael
Rocky, Flat Ernie, Neal in CA, OGNC, Forty Ford guy -- thanks to all for the info, I sure appreciate it. ROCKY - I may have to go that way with the Speedway adapter, but I wanted to see if I could avoid it. NEAL IN CA - hey, thanks for the drawing. I may want the pattern for that. Is there any problems with the thickness of the adapters, ring etc. for the pilot bushing or clutch? OGNC - Thanks for the site, but I want a stick behind the Flathead. Man, did you see the prices for their adapters? FORTY FORD GUY - I have the factory bellhousing and truck adapter, looks like I would need an adapter plate to go from that stuff to a modern trans. Do you have one available?
you could use the 3-speed box with open drive from a 46-48 ford pick up. there's one on ebay right now ..#2450295822...high bid so far is $56
If you're gonna stick with the heavy truck bellhousing, here's some photos of the type of adapter you'll have to use. These don't have the indexing lip that goes into the bellhousing, which would make them stronger. I grabbed these photos from: http://www.inlinepages.com/drivetrain/Shop.html A good photo of an adapter plate with the required hardware. The countersunk holes and fastners bolt the adapter to the bellhousing, and then the trans bolts to the threaded holes in the plate. An adapter plate bolted to the bellhousing. FWIW, the web page is a sales page for Ford-to-Ford adapters. The guy was selling them for about $100 with hardware but claims he's having a fire sale.
Modern Beat- thanks for the pics and link, but (this may be a stupid question) it doesn't look like that adapter is bolted to the big truck plate. How will it work for me?
I dont know what my trany is for shure but im told its early 60s 3 speed. If someone has a book the tag has RAT AM 026203 on it. It has two bolt paterns on it and the small fits on the newer flathead car bellhousing. You have to cut 1/2" Of input shaft and eather open up the hole on bell or turn down the snout on front of trans. My moter is a49 8ba,clutch 49 car, bell 49car, and all works with this trany. Please post back if anyone can ID this trans
the tag has RAT AM 026203 Originally out of a 69 Cougar or Mustang with the 351, the RAT series are all a good solid tranny. The small pattern also fits a Y Block as well as the flatty.
Thanks 289merc that helps me alot. I found the cast numbers on the trany thay are 9031, c8ar and 7006-c. This my help someone find what tranys will work with flatheads.
Nope, those pics are of generic adapters. None of them bolt to the truck bellhousing, but are examples of one you could make - or if one of those bolts to your tranny, then you could modify it for use with the heavy truck bellhousing.
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