Ok guys. I will probably get annoying quick with all my questions... But! I am 14, and taking on a full motor swap! As some of you may know, I am building my first car! (Truck!) Anyhow... I have been on an unsuccessful search for a transmission adaptor for my original 1948 Ford F-1 3 speed transmission, so that I can bolt up a 350 chevy motor. So... My question to you guys, here on the HAMB. Do you know where I can find the adaptor I am looking for?.. Does anyone have one they would be willing to sell to a kid lookin to have a kool truck for highschool? Thanks guys!!!
To be honest,,your going to have to spend a lot of money adapting the early transmission to a 350 Chevy engine,,why not use a 350 or 400 turbo automatic and save a lot of money and get on the road quicker. HRP
It sure makes me happy to see young people like yourself doing it themselves! Good for you! That said, I agree with Hotrodprimer, I was thinking switch to a t-5. They are cheap and plentiful. Also will help out on gas if you are staying with the original rear end and make it more driveable at highway speeds.
If you get a T-5 and want to know where it started life here is a site that will let you know. http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Borg-Warner-T5-ID-Tags.htm
Skip the adapter and go straight to the TH350 or TH400 that the 350 was originally bolted to. It's going to save you money, time and h***le in the long run.
I think I have an offy adapter hanging in one of my sheds....but do you have all the other parts needed to adapt it? pilot bushing, flywheel/clutch (with the Ford spline), etc?
I dont but I do know that speedway carrys them. Sir, you are a life saver! Thank you to everyone else who has helped out! There are some great ideas! Thanks you for the kind words! I have been wanting to build MY OWN car since my dad got our first old ride (1968 mustang) and now I am very Excited to get my truck running seeing my dads 1927 cruising around! Build thred in sig
Like everyone else said, if you're goin' with the sbc, use the chevy trans, 350 turbo or t-5. Sell the Ford stuff to someone doing a restoration.
Flathead is locked up. We tried to flat tow it and me let off the clutch quickly... But it didnt do anything.. So, A really kool car guy tried to "hotwire" it and it wouldnt budge. You could hear it trying... But nothing.. Haha!
Before you pull it out. Fill it with Marvel mystery oil. Cylinders and crankcase till it comes out the top. Wait about a week and try rotating it by hand a bit forward and backward. Then wait a day and try it again. I have saved many that were stuck this way. Once it spins over, drain the oil and put fresh in and try and build a fire in it. Good luck. On a side note, the chevy drivetrain will get you there faster....
I meant that it would make is so you would be able to drive it sooner. Well yeah it will be faster with the sbc... If the flattie is good, then I think there should be someone somewhere who would be interested.
hotrod95, so far you've received great advice. think in terms of not just getting it done but is it what you want for awhile?, ie the ford ****** vs t-5 or 350. keeping the original rear or going later open drive shaft(not sure if your f1 is closed or open). best of luck and don't get discouraged, you've got a terrific resource here at the HAMB. use it! glad to see you get started at 14, take a look at my profile-started my '32 when i was 16, a few yrs ago-now nearing 69!
Pictures of the ******.. If needed, tomorrow after I get out of skool I will post pictures of it a little cleaner
Before you spend the money on an adapter and the related stuff, pull the top plate/shift tower off the trans and check the condition of the gears etc. Any noticable rust or broken chips will mean quite a bit of money to repair. This still does not take into account possible bad bearings. If you can get the flatty to turn over, sell it off and put the money back towards the truck. If the ****** has any issues, then it's time to explore other options. Putting in a th350-400 etc means you need to make a trans mount, have the driveshaft shortened put in a trans cooler etc... None of these are really tough, but will need to be done. I think if you can run the trans you have with no problem, that is the way to go. Once you pull it for an automatic, you are commited. If you leave it there, you can always change it later. You should be able to use the stock clutch with a Chevy flywheel and Ford truck pressure plate. You can try Bellmont's Rod n Custom in Dedham M***. for alot of this stuff. Belmontsrodandcustom.com Billy should be able to help you out.
Thanks you sir! Ive looked at it and the inside of the trany looks brand new. It still has ****** fluid in it (Probably will drain it and add new). Thank you for the advice and the links as well!
if ya looking into putting a 350 in the truck why not just get a old beater from craigslist or somthing like a old 80's camaro with the t-5 and swap it all out into your truck .....for 500 to 1000 bucks you would have almost everything you need motor trans rear end wireing cross member disc brakes/booster for the brakes maybe some decent tires to put on you r wheels .. parts cars are great ...and you would save aq ton of money with all the parts you could use oh... and what you dont use you could sell on craigslist and ebay to maek more money to fund your project .....just my opinion..good luck
Hotrod95, Congrats to you for taking on this project. Sounds like you have your dad around to lend a hand. I have a pic of my son changing the plugs on our '36 Ford - he was about 14 then. Now he has graduated from college and works on his own hot rod stuff! Make sure that flat head gets a good home... Keep us posted with photos!!!
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