The Ford Barn

Southtowns27 · 12-07-2023, 09:46 AM

I just brought home a '46 Ford pickup with a decent running flathead in it. The seller told me the engine is a '40 but I don't know how to verify that. He also had a Merc engine sitting on the floor that he didn't know a ton about that we made a deal on and it also came home. I pulled the heads and SCORE, it's completely rebuilt and never fired. So now the plan is to hotrod the Merc up a bit and put it in the truck. I also have a complete transmission setup that came out of a '53 pickup that was mated to an 8RT. It's a Borg Warner T85 with an overdrive on it. I have one in my '49 Chevy pickup and it works awesome. I have literally everything off the 8RT..flywheel, bellhousing, clutch, starter, etc. What all will I need to do to make this swap? I'm assuming the water pumps that are currently in the truck need to go on the Merc. The crossmember in the truck will probably need to be modified to fit the BW transmission. Will the clutch linkage be anywhere near correct as far as location goes? I have fabrication skills and this isn't my first swap, just looking ahead for potential issues. Any other thought/advice?

51504bat · 12-07-2023, 09:56 AM

Some photos would help

GB SISSON · 12-07-2023, 12:39 PM

You must have been reading my mail. This winter I'm also hoping to swap a merc and possibly a different transmission into my '47 1/2 ton. I will be following along closely.

pistonbroke · 12-08-2023, 09:30 AM

Your transmission is the down side. I have put overdrives in 42,46 and 47 pickups for myself and others over the years. The best/easiest way is to use a 49 mercury overdrive. It has the right bellhousing and clutch linkage. You can customize and use a 30s three speed top plate and stick or any aftermarket shifter package. I have also head of guys using 40 ford column shifters as well. The only tricky part is the crossmember and rear mount but it's not rocket science . It's been done and it's a good fix for your jailbar. Tim

Bob C · 12-08-2023, 12:55 PM

Here are some other trans options. S10 5 speed, F150 4 speed OD, 49 Merc OD with side shift converted to top shift.

petehoovie · 12-08-2023, 12:59 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Here are some other trans options. S10 5 speed, F150 4 speed OD, 49 Merc OD with side shift converted to top shift.

Southtowns27 · 12-09-2023, 06:21 PM

What F-150 transmission is that?

Bob C · 12-09-2023, 07:52 PM

Here's a link to Vince's site with info on the F150 trans.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/TremecT170FT.htm

12-07-2023, 09:46 AM	#1
Southtowns27 Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 36	'46 pickup engine/trans swap advice needed I just brought home a '46 Ford pickup with a decent running flathead in it. The seller told me the engine is a '40 but I don't know how to verify that. He also had a Merc engine sitting on the floor that he didn't know a ton about that we made a deal on and it also came home. I pulled the heads and SCORE, it's completely rebuilt and never fired. So now the plan is to hotrod the Merc up a bit and put it in the truck. I also have a complete transmission setup that came out of a '53 pickup that was mated to an 8RT. It's a Borg Warner T85 with an overdrive on it. I have one in my '49 Chevy pickup and it works awesome. I have literally everything off the 8RT..flywheel, bellhousing, clutch, starter, etc. What all will I need to do to make this swap? I'm assuming the water pumps that are currently in the truck need to go on the Merc. The crossmember in the truck will probably need to be modified to fit the BW transmission. Will the clutch linkage be anywhere near correct as far as location goes? I have fabrication skills and this isn't my first swap, just looking ahead for potential issues. Any other thought/advice?

12-07-2023, 09:56 AM	#2
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,051	Re: '46 pickup engine/trans swap advice needed Some photos would help __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

12-07-2023, 12:39 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 5,083	Re: '46 pickup engine/trans swap advice needed You must have been reading my mail. This winter I'm also hoping to swap a merc and possibly a different transmission into my '47 1/2 ton. I will be following along closely. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1946 Tonner Pickup with 226 H six, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, now wearing 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

12-08-2023, 09:30 AM	#4
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 503	Re: '46 pickup engine/trans swap advice needed Your transmission is the down side. I have put overdrives in 42,46 and 47 pickups for myself and others over the years. The best/easiest way is to use a 49 mercury overdrive. It has the right bellhousing and clutch linkage. You can customize and use a 30s three speed top plate and stick or any aftermarket shifter package. I have also head of guys using 40 ford column shifters as well. The only tricky part is the crossmember and rear mount but it's not rocket science . It's been done and it's a good fix for your jailbar. Tim

12-09-2023, 06:21 PM	#7
Southtowns27 Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 36	Re: '46 pickup engine/trans swap advice needed What F-150 transmission is that?

12-09-2023, 07:52 PM	#8
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,796	Re: '46 pickup engine/trans swap advice needed Here's a link to Vince's site with info on the F150 trans. https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/TremecT170FT.htm