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Technical Need Help putting a 49 8BA into my 39

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by harley jim, Jul 10, 2017.

  1. 20170710_150940.jpg

    Guys I need some advice on what parts to mix and match to put a 49 8BA into this 39 coupe. This car is in really nice shape and I want to keep it stock looking. Will the stock trans bolt to the 8BA I see the front mounts and exhaust will need to be reworked. any advise will be appreciated
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2017
  2. 20170710_150933.jpg

    this is the motor I am using
     
  3. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,683

    dwollam
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have a '52 block in my '40 Standard. You need the Mercury or truck bell housing which then bolts a stock '39 tranny to the later block. You also need different water pumps, truck also if memory serves me correctly. Mine actually uses the '51-'53 narrow belt car water pumps with adapters to bolt them to the stock '40 biscuits. I have never seen another pair like them. Fan location is also an issue. I have an adapted fan on the crank that I got with the mounts, but I have quit using it in favor of a plastic fan and a turned adapter to bolt it to the '51-'53 fan hub. I found it cools better with that. My engine also has '48 and older type heads with the bypass holes to the water pumps threaded and pipe plugged as the earlier heads don't have that passage. You can make do with your stock 8ba heads and water outlets but it is a little awkward dealing with the radiator hoses.

    Dave
     
  4. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,683

    dwollam
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Just realized you have a 49 engine. It already has the wide belts. Mine has narrow belts. Pickup pumps have the wide belts. Exhaust manifolds will be an issue also. Those probably won't fit but stock '39 will bolt on it. I run steel tube headers and dual exhaust.
     
  5. Thank you Dave, I will start gathering parts. Any issues with the clutch, I was told that all I needed to do was put the 39 clutch plate in the 49 flywheel and pressure plate. I haven't got the motor out of the 39 yet to look at it.
    Thanks again for the help as this flathead swap is a first for me.
     
  6. weathrmn
    Joined: Apr 15, 2008
    Posts: 322

    weathrmn
    Member

    I have a 51 Mercury in my 40 Ford. I used pick up truck water pumps for the wide belt, Merc bell housing and flywheel, Merc pressure plate, pick up truck clutch(entire set up rebuilt exchange from Fort Wayne Clutch, IND.). Oil pan: you will need an oil pan from from a 49-52 pick up. This will clear the steering linkage(I used a 48 oil pan, cut the back off and welded the Merc or 8ba back section on to it. I used Red's Headers,ordered for 40 Ford to clear the original steering box, and used an electric fan
     
  7. Thanks weathrmn hadn't thought about the oil pan yet.
     
  8. good stuff guys....yes on the truck pumps and I also will run an modified lower pulley for the stock type fan....
     
  9. christmas tree
    Joined: Dec 7, 2009
    Posts: 352

    christmas tree
    Member

    Many times to keep from having clutch chatter you will need to make a provision for the stabilizer rods chassis to engine or bell housing area. Sometimes you have chatter and sometimes not, but if you got it you will want to get rid of it.
     

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