Would a model A transmission (with a V8 clutch and lightened flywheel ), drivetrain, and differential be able to support and be used with a 8BA Ford flathead V8? Or, what can I keep, what do I change? I found the kit to mount the engine $450. thanks!
I bought my first Model A in 1962. Trust me, you don't want to keep the Model A transmission, weak, no syncros. Without knowing all of the details of what you want to do I would use a '39 Ford transmission. The kit to mount the engine sounds too expensive, what is in it? Charlie Stephens
Another vote for the 39 trans. $450 to mount the engine, ridiculous. Make your own. a pair of biscuits some frame mounts and you should be started for lees than $100. I'd probably do a rear end up date to a later banjo?
It all depends on what type of use the car will see. A 39 trans with stock gears will get you by for easy street use. Easy to adapt and relatively cheap. If you are good at scrounging and have fab skills, you can get by for about $20 for the conversion. The next step would be 25 tooth zephyr gears in the 39 box. The next step up would be a T5 The next step would be a Tremec 5. After that a Lenco.
@sandbug a stock flathead is 85-95 horsepower, the model A transmission and rearend will hold up for awhile as long as you're not banging gears. 39 transmissions are quite pricey lately. I run a 37ish transmission and V8 rear behind a stock 85hp flatty, I did break 1 gearbox quite badly but it did see a lot of hard use. Good luck and keep us posted
Your Model A transmission will not bolt up to a flathead V8s. You will need the V8 flywheel, flywheel housing, starter plate and clutch & pressure plate. You will need to fabricate your own mounts, exhaust system and throttle linkage. Front mounts are simple by using 5/16" X 4" angle iron, trimmed, mount hole cut out and bolted inside the frame. Your best bet for getting a good spacing between the fan and radiator is to use truck water pumps circa '42 - '48. They have a longer snout. To get everything spaced in the proper position, start working from the back . Install the rear end, complete, and work forward. Clutch linkage? You will need some imagination here. I recommend hydraulic with a swing pedal on a reinforced firewall. On the other end I used a '39 release shaft with a hydraulic pull action slave cylinder pulling a flipped over '39 arm. Your U-joint will work with the transmission and driveshaft but you will need the '42 - '48 style clam shell assembly. If you are to use a 59 AB style engine your fuel pump will clear the firewall but you'll need an angled oil filler tube. The 8BA engines need a recess to be made in the firewall to clear a stock fuel pump, or use a block off plate and go with an electric pump. You can spend a lot of money on a '32 K member for the transmission rear mount or you can use some imagination and make your own. Just be sure it's strong and built so you can remove the tranny if needed. That ought to be enough to boggle your mind for a while. Good luck, be patient and have some fun.
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