8ba question
 

I'm working on an engine that was sold to me as a rebuilt 1953 8ba Ford. However as some of you might have read, I'm having a starter issue and it now appears that I do have a mismatch between the starter mounting plate and the bellhousing. The weird thing is that my bellhousing is steel (not cast) and everything I've read indicates that this is a Mercury bellhousing... or did Ford have a steel one in 1953? According to pictures that I've found in old files, I do have a starter mounting plate made by Ford. Is it possible that the Ford starter mounting is making an incorrect angle for the gear mesh with this Mercury? bellhousing. Maybe I'm clutching at straws....for three weeks I've been chasing this starter issue. Maybe this engine is really a Mercury.....I can't find any engine numbers at all..........for my first flathead project this is a real mystery. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated

Re: 8ba question
 

post some photos

Re: 8ba question
 

There are not any differences in the blocks themselves between a Ford and Mercury. Some photos of your starter plate and bellhousing would help a lot. I can post the photos for you if you email them to me. [email protected]

Re: 8ba question
 

Be sure to read ALL of this post:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...y+bell+housing

Do you have the little "L" bracket that bolts to the back of the starter and the oil pan in place? This helps support the starter for correct alignment. Looks like this:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...acket&_sacat=0

Re: 8ba question
 

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Dbug....As JSeery said, there is ABSOLUTELY no difference between Ford & Merc blocks...'49-'53....PERIOD!

If you'll look through the PDF file listed below, it is a site that fellow 'Barners "V8Bob" and "Moe's Garage" compiled years ago actually showing every bellhousing/starter plate combination that exists for 8BA-type engines. For info on each picture, place your cursor on the QUESTION MARKS at each picture. It don't get NO better than this valuable info! Click the link below! DD


https://web.archive.org/web/20160318...ellhousing.pdf

Re: 8ba question
 

Thanks for the offer to post pics for me.....as you can see I'm challenged when it comes to computers. I'm going to check out the link below to see if this link helps clear up as to what I actually have. I might have to send you pics later if I can't figure things out. I really appreciate all you guys do to help newbees like me. I'm more than willing to learn but without someone else having the knowledge I'm lost.

Re: 8ba question
 

Flatheads are a whole different animal than later engines. Not that difficult, just very different if you've never been around them. Hot Rodders grew up working on them in their backyards! Lots of knowledge here on the Barn to help with just about any question you might come up with.

Re: 8ba question
 

Ford did have a steel bellhousing in 1953. My mistake, no such thing.

Re: 8ba question
 

Just went through this myself. If you have the steel merc bell that bolts up to the early transmissions, the starter plate off the ford will bolt on but your starter will be at a odd angle. Set the starter plate on a level surface and set a level on the starter opening it should be level. If not you have the wrong one.

Re: 8ba question
 

The 49-50 steel bellhousing requires a starter plate that has an angle to it. If you have the flat steel plate it would put your starter at an angle.

Re: 8ba question
 

some photos

Re: 8ba question
 

I want to thank all you guys for the postings and help concerning my 8ba starter. The pdf files containing the bellhousing starter plate info was so helpful. Turns out that my two piece bellhousing was from a Mercury so that it mated with my 1938 transmission in my pickup. The starter plate did have the angled mounting flange but turned out that Merc did not have the angled bellhousing to mate with it. When I looked on the internet, I found a man listing flathead parts for sale.........turns out he was an old dirt track racer who collected flatheads for his race cars As luck would have it, he did have a Mercury two piece flathead bell housing with the standard starter mount plate bolted to it. He made me pay for the bell housing as well as the plate, but the great news was he lived less than ten miles from my home. Long story short, she cranks like a new one! As a bonus we got to talk about the old dirt track racing of the 50's and 60's that I loved so much. Everyone connected to keeping this forum alive should receive tons of thanks to help old guys like me work on the flatheads still alive today.

Re: 8ba question
 

Curious about your pictured bell. Can you post more complete pictures as I've never seen one like that before.

Re: 8ba question
 

Looks like the starter plate not the bell. Just a weird photo angle. IMO

Re: 8ba question
 

Here you go. It's a 49-50 steel bellhousing.

Re: 8ba question
 

These pictures are much clearer. 51504bat is probably correct about angles with the first pictures. JFYI, the stamped steel full bell was also used in '51 on Ford cars.

Re: 8ba question
 

Sorry I was trying to show the angle in the first photos guess that was a flop. I thought the 52-53 bells were cast iron.

Re: 8ba question
 

From what I understand the cast iron 1/2 bell on 8ba's was used in trucks and it will accept an 11 inch clutch. The stamped steel 1/2 bell was used in Merc's and will accept a 10 inch clutch but not an 11 inch.

Re: 8ba question
 

Correct, the '52-'53 Ford and Mercury used the same cast iron full bell housing.

Re: 8ba question
 

I have a cast bell and starter plate from a pickup and an unknown stamped bell and starter plate. ( may be Merc.) they are the same as far as they are interchangeable with all dimensions the same.