Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Hi there barners.
I got a 337 flathead that was a stationary engine "water pump" and now I was thinking to put the engine in a Hot Rod....But what trans would fit???
Thanx For any ideas. JIM.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

A LaSalle gearbox would be a stout choice

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

The original Lincolns used a GM Hydro-matic.
A version of the same engine was used in the big Ford trucks.
Perhaps a standard shift tranny from one of those would work.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

I would like standard trans.....

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

The big trucks that used the 337 could be had with a 5-sp synchro trans, with either O/D 5th or direct drive. They are hard to find now, and weigh at least 300 lbs. I think you are better off adapting to something more modern.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

I agree with this statement. But any Lincoln car with the 337, would have a trans you can use.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

The standard shift Bell housing can be modified to use later transmission, If you can find one.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

In addition to the G.M. Hydro-Matic, which was originally adopted in '49,The 337 powered Lincolns from '49 to '51 also offered a standard three speed with overdrive.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Not all 49 thru 51 Lincolns used the auto trans. Some were still Borg Warner style standard 3-speed and overdrive units. I'm not sure what the bolt patern is on them though. They had a big bell housing and a four bolt patern.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

What type of 'hot rod' is the 337 destined for?

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Obviously a 'heavy' one.:):D

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

The Lincoln flat-head engines make better "yard art'.. They tend to be very heavy slow tuning anchors..
They tend to fall into the same category as the Cad flat-heads.. I tried to put a '42 Cad engine into a '42 Chevy in '51.. Could not find a set of front springs that would hold the thing up off of the frame.. Opted for a Chevy truck engine, a big six..

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Thanx for all the reply's.
my goal was to put it in a late -20's - 30's "big' wheel base chassis" and have a cool racer with home made body.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

blucar, I wouldn't poo-poo the 337 unless you have actual experience with one or more. Back when they were new,, 337 powered Lincolns were among the top performers in their class at the Carrera Panamericana Race. Here's a photo of Jesus Nava Gonzales getting a little "air" in his '49 "Baby" Lincoln Coupe :) in the 1950 Race! Not bad for a heavy piece of "yard art",:eek: in my opinion. ;)

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps1b930934.jpg

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

In the mid 50's a friend of mine put a 337 in a`41 Ford Convertible. From what I can remember it ran very well.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

I also had a couple of friends who did this in the '50's, only it was a '53 Ford. It ran OK, but bottomed the suspension. The car was completely un-driveable. I think it had something to do with their steering "modifications".

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Didn't the Kurtis and later Muntz cars in the early fifties use these engines? I am pretty sure I saw one at a show years ago. The big ol Lincoln motor was dressed with finned aluminum heads and multi carbs. Rich

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

You could get the Muntz with the 337 Lincoln or the Caddy V8 The founder of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance has a '51 Muntz with the 337, he has a two pot manifold and fined aluminum heads, it is a beauty.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

If I were you I'd seriously consider putting that 337 back in the water pump.

850Lbs alone should dissuade you.
Hard to find parts, not to mention performance parts.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Jim,

Don't let the naysayers get you down. While parts are tougher to find than for a typical Ford flathead, there's nothing wrong with the big brother Lincoln 337's. Is it bigger/bulkier/heavier? Yes, but so is a 392 hemi and that never stopped anyone from installing one in an early Ford!!

Regarding tranny's, find a passenger bellhousing as noted by rotorwrench above. This uses the normal borg-warner 3 speed tranny with or without overdrive. This same bolt pattern will allow you to use a later ford toploader 4 speed or 3 + 1 OD (same basic case) with minimal modifications. Add a jeep top shifter and you're in business.

As far as practicality - here's a photo of mine complete with Edmunds heads and intake in an original Henry steel 3 window '32 coupe. It's using the original borg-warner 3 speed overdrive tranny.


http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictur...ictureid=26598

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Chris, that is outstanding!

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Ditto.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Absolutely awesome. Would love to put a 337 in my `41 Coupe with a 3spd O/D. I think it would just be an effortless "mountain leveler". :)

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Doesn't Dale Fairfax here on the 'barn play with this Lincoln V8? Pretty sure he'll chime in if he sees this thread.

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118614

Lincoln V8 +/- 850
392 Fiat hemi +/- 740

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Not much more I can say-I love the one in my F-100. It's not only fun to drive but it's a great attention getter and conversation piece. I love it when somebody looks at it when the hood is open and I hear them say: "Oh look, it still has the Flathead in it". It drives like it has a huge electric motor in it:3rd gear at low speed --just push the gas down and off you go with no shudder or shake. 2nd gear at 40, do the same and you'd think it had a Chevy in it.

Back in '61, I had a "Baby" Lincoln with Hydramatic-I don't think I've enjoyed any car since nearly as much.

There's a guy on the H.A.M.B. with the handle "Hudson Joe" who has a really well done track style roadster with a 337 in it. I'm sure it's a west coast car.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Chris, that is a beautiful engine in a cool rod. I ran a 337 in a Lincoln in a 46 lincoln coupe years ago. Isky cam, 4 barrel, mallory, shaved heads, and duals. It was a respectable runner, in a heavy car. Walked off and left a new 1958 Ford, but not a new Chevy.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Clones of the "337 bashing" post crop up every once in a while. Dale, a guy who doesn't like to "toot" his own horn, would rather be working out in the garage, building things, than sitting around the computer telling guys what can't or should not be done! Lol!
I include a picture of the "337" going into his beauty of a pickup.
Good to hear from you, Pal. Hope you're feeling better and on the road to a full recovery...slim
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...ttachment6.jpg

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

What is the HP and torque on one of those stock monsters? Walt

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Here's some ##'s for you number guys.
About torque though, Dale sez he doesn't even need low gear anymore! Lol! We started mine on an engine stand in a garage, and I'm telling ya, EVERY wrench on the bench was a'rattlein'...slim

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...s-337bigV8.htm

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Bluecar and Mike51Merc make sense, the 337 is too heavy, too big, and to find an intake and heads other than stock very expensive. You need a frame and suspension which is designed or modified for the weight. I had a '49 Lincoln motor and after researching hot rodding it up, i.e., aluminum heads, multi-carb, headers, etc... for a mid '30's to mid '40's car realized what an expensive complicated project it was going to be. Sold it on e-bay.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Ah, but the "cool factor" is nearly unmatched!

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

wow, i see most replys about trans use in 337 are 5 years ago. I'm using one in my custom 40 cont #207. I purchased an adapter kit to use a turbo 350 gm as my purpose is less weight. 51 engines have no stick shift. but if you get the std pts from 49 or 50 you can easily adapt to a t-5 or 70's full syncro O D or on one of my cars I use a 60's 3 speed toploader with a cj5 jeep floor shift. being xcalautowker.com for 36 years, i've been wired trans changes. Reds heads makes headers for 337.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Wasn't the original "Hot Rod Lincoln" a 337? …...Nope, internet sources say it was a V12.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Can you say HOT ROD LINCOLN ? I love it!

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Well good luck finding the transmission and speed equipment. Be sure to post pictures of your progress I am curious as to how this will turn out. It will certainly be unique.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

I had a 50 Baby Lincoln and I loved it. Smooth. Bendstens makes an adapter to a Chevy automatic:
https://transmissionadapters.com/pro...14e2870b&_ss=r
Good luck finding any bellhousing for sale. I was looking to switch to a manual at least and I couldn't find anything.
H and H Flatheads also sells aluminum heads and intakes:
https://handhflatheads.com/product/a...oln-337-heads/
https://handhflatheads.com/product/a...take-manifold/
https://handhflatheads.com/product/l...austin-intake/
https://handhflatheads.com/product/a...take-manifold/
Reds Headers has headers:
http://reds-headers.net/index.php?ma...roducts_id=718
Now, this stuff is not cheap. But for pure awesomeness and uniqueness, can you really put a price on that?
I would love to shove one of these anchors into my 41 Tudor.

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

Here's a story I have posted on the H.A.M.B. that might be of interest. Back in the early sixties, a couple of guys I knew shoehorned one of these into a '53 Ford. When they got it in, the front suspension was solidly on the bump-stops. When they got it running, it handled like the proverbial "safe in a wheelbarrow". The engine was probably not in the best of shape and the car was a pig. They abandoned the project and went looking for an affordable Olds Rocket.

As they say, "just because you can doesn't mean you should".

Re: Lincoln 337 cui what trans can I use?????
 

The 337 powered Lincolns with 3-speed and overdrive used the T85 with the R11 overdrive. This same transmission was continued on in heavy duty applications clear up into the 70s except they used better casting technology for the T85N R11 transmissions. They would work behind a pretty stout 390 FE motor in a pickup. Hurst and others made 3-speed shifters to bolt on them.