Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

No it doesent....I'm adding a 5 speed and keeping the torque tube

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

John, I forgot about another link that looked good.This is for change to auto
Trans for model A and B. I have heard they are good.



http://www.transmissionadapters.com/

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

I'm working on a Model A based traditional hot rod. (I'm not molesting a restorable car- look at my avatar picture.) I generally ignore this board 'cause I have been made to feel not welcome. The Early V8 group is somewhat more forgiving and many would respond to putting an open driveline in an A. (By the way, is that an A rear end you want to modify? If so, you might want to consider going to a rear with at straddle mounted pinion.)

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

It will be installed with the new Burtz engine but kept relatively stock, high compression head and downdraft carb or fuel injection. I plan on using an original rear end and will come up with a way to support it and maintain the position.

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

John, I have spoken with them, they will build an adapter for the Ford C-4 transmission. I tried to meet up with them at SEMA but didn't connect. I plan on calling them this week to get that started.

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

Yes, callcoy, John L. and 1931flamingo, and others, - thanks for the explanations. I can now see the reason that many are wanting to yank the torque tube and change over to auto. transmissions. I agree that this is a great way to allow folks with medical limitations to continue enjoying their A's. The reason wasn't mentioned in the opening message.

It's also good to see that folks are making the necessary structural cahnges to insure the safety and original stability of the critical rear-end set-up.

And, "...original Model A wishbones were a little weak" (?). I don't recall a rash of rear wishbone failures in the literature or on this site. Do they fail under "normal" driving conditions or when abused in some way? What's the "failure mode"?

I learn something every day in the Barn.

Thanks, Gents.

Earle

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

Well said Steve!!! I agree completely!!

Eighty

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

Earle: re: "weak wishbones". If splitting and mounting to frame and putting MUCH more HP to the drive train is what I was referring to. Sounds like john is just trying to "refine" "orig" A with an automatic.
Paul in CT

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

Giving fellow barners the benefit of the doubt, I ascribe it not to some sort of "orginal A snobbery" but to a genuine spirit of helpfulness.

Let's face it, there's a higher likelihood that your post will be seen by someone who has made this type of change on the "rod" side of things than here. That's because a lot of rodders make changes like this when switching over to a different motor, transmission and rear end--so possibly the majority of the members of those boards have something relevant to say. On this particular forum, I'd guess that this type of modification has been done by a very small percentage of members.

That's not to say that these types of questions can't/shouldn't be asked here, just that you're more likely to get useful information from the forums where more folks have first-hand knowledge.

But that's just my rose-colored-glasses view. ;)

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

denis4x4 – “Note the master cylinder location using the stock cross piece.”

I really like that idea of moving the master cylinder to the other side, even though my Model A and Model T will stay with stock brakes. That modification has to make it a lot simpler installation.

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

The OE wishbones are completely adequate in conjunction with the OE torque tube. If the torque tube is removed, however, the wishbones are called upon to do much more work than they were designed for, even with a stock engine.

Joe

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

John, Dick Sparks is building a slant window with open driveline and posted a number of photos on the old Fordbarn. He had a design issue with his four-bar setup which was identified by Marco and others, and later posted that he had figured out a better design. He might have a lot of info for you.

He's registered on the new FB as Dick Sparks, but has posted only some ads so far as I can tell. You should be able to PM him.

Joe

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

JoeWay: That's what I was trying to say about removing the torque tube, then the wishbones aren't up to the job at hand. Thanks for completing my thought.
Paul in CT

Re: Open driveline on Model A
 

I have an open drive line on my 28 Model A Speedster. She has a hopped up A motor, F150 O/D tranny coupled to an open driveline. The drive line adaptor to the Banjo is adaptor from Speedway Motors. To accomodate the transmission in this case the center crossmember was completely removed and a new adaptation was put in 6 inches further back - actually a piece of 14 ga. C purlin welded to the upper lip of the frame rail. A piece of 2 x 2 angle iron was used to creat a lower center crossmember - making a "V" under the tranny. A new radias rod jiont was built into this new crossmember to take the place of the one on the original torque tube. Angle iron 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch was welded to the radias rods to strengthen them.

So far she has performed beautifuly. I have run in three F.A.S.T. Hillclimbs. She runs in the middle of the flathead pack but no wins YET.

Maybe someday I will get around to taking pictures and learning how to post them. Ken