Hi Mike here new meber!! I have got a automatic transmission 2 speed for Flathead that i want to mount on an 8BA 1949 engine. The trans is complete with flywheel for starter. But?? how and what do i need to connect the trans to the crankshaft of the engine???? Today there is a three speed trans there. It seems to be six(6) bolt holes in the flywheel Glad for help / Mike
Ford /Merc. used a Fordo 3 speed auto behind some of those flatties , I know I had a '51 Merc with one and changed it over to a 3 spd . O.D. as it was a real stone with a slush box . One neat thing was that if a guy changed the front pump , convertor and bell a "Y' block would bolt up to the flattie auto . They were later called Cruisomatics and the FMX but were slightly different in the shift department .
The FLEXPLATE (not flywheel) bolts to the crank, the Torq converter bolts to the flexplate. I have a complete Ford-O-matic for 8BA in storage. Id keep the 3 speed if I were you.
The early FordOmatics are real dogs and better left in the trunk for winter ballast. They are also very expensive to rebuild, even here in the USA. The 8BA starter for the Fordomatic is unique as is the starter mounting plate. You would be better off in the long run buying a Flatomatic kit for a C4 transnission.
Alot will depend on the trans that you have, what year, etc... The Ford-o-matic, Merc-o-matic, cruise-o-matic, would all have been used on 8BA flatties. As far as I've been able to find out they came in two and three speeds(mostly three).Getting one of them to hook up with any authority can be a challenge, as the fluid couplings weren't as good as a modern torque converter. Not to say that it couldn't be done Any flex plate you use would need to have 4 holes in it to match the flattie crank. You can get adapters for Ford C4/C5/C6/AOD automatics from Wilcap and Speedway Motors. There is also an adapter available to put a T5 standard on a flattie if you choose to stay with a standard but want more gears. Flatman
Flatty automatic parts combined with various later bits a llow a consederably later version of Fordo to bolt up. I read the exact years and parts mixes in an old Streetrodder once, but didn't save the info. Stock, there almost isn't a flexplate...ringgear is on fluid coupler, and a little piece about the size and shape of a license plate connected crank to the bowl of jello thing. There are complete kits now for GM and C4. I would go to a 200 R4 or 700 to get more speeds, lockup, and overdrive, what the flathead really needs. The later the trans, the more work that has gone into reducing pump, fluid, and seal losses, too. Flatheads don't need any wasted power foaming oil. Some older automatics supposedly waste 40-60 HP--if that's actually true, you might have to get out and push on hills with the worst of them.
i believe the 2 spd was an aluminum case with an aircooled torque converter. the 3 spd was a castiron case with a removable bell. got one in a 64 tbird and even after rebuilding it the best i can say about it is it a piece of crap. if want an auto go with the c-4 swap.
The 3 spd cast iron tranny is pure junk. I've got one out of a station wagon. I believe it's out in the woods out in back of the barn somewhere.
Yeah. I bought a '51 engine and trans at the junkyard, unbolted the trans, and tiptoed away with the motor. At least they're heavy, though.
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