F150 top loader to 59ab adapter anyone?

[31blackcoupe]

Just removed my 4 banger which ran great with this F150 top loader overdrive transmission that was in the car when I bought it. I am now in the process of putting in a 1948 59ab Flathead V8. Does anyone know of an adapter solution and/or parts supplier to make this trans fit the V8 motor? Any help would be appreciated. The torque tube has been shortened as well as the rear radius rods. The stock cross member is untouched and still in the original location. I have already converted to hydro brakes. The trans is mid 1980's from a light duty truck from what I can gather. Sometimes referred to as a T170FT Tremec (I think).
Thanks!

[rotorwrench]

I do believe that the 4-speed truck half bell of the late 40s & early 50s (known as the hogs head) can be used for most Borg Warner and Tremec pattern bolt ups. The T-170 RTS model is usually the transmission of choice since it has very good ratios if you get the right one. I think the adapters for the T-5 will also work and I think several are available made from cast aluminum.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Isn't this a Ford style bolt pattern, and not the "H" style pattern like the T5s? I seem to remember several threads on the HAMB about using this trans - not sure with a 59 ab though. Go over to that forum and do a search. Ivan sure you will find what you are looking for there.

I don't believe the old hogs head will work only because that was for an 8ba motor with no integral bellhousing - again, the Hamb us your best bet for info on this setup ....

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by TomT/Williamsburg

I don't believe the old hogs head will work only because that was for an 8ba motor with no integral bellhousing - again, the Hamb us your best bet for info on this setup ....

The hogshead is what you need for a 59a block, on the 8ba block you would need the addition bell adapter.

The hogshead can be used to adapt about anything, just depends if you are wanting to go to the effort.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Originally Posted by JSeery

The hogshead is what you need for a 59a block, on the 8ba block you would need the addition bell adapter.

The hogshead can be used to adapt about anything, just depends if you are wanting to go to the effort.

Thanks for the correction - my bad. ..

[flatjack9]

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Originally Posted by JSeery

The hogshead is what you need for a 59a block, on the 8ba block you would need the addition bell adapter.

The hogshead can be used to adapt about anything, just depends if you are wanting to go to the effort.

The RTS trans will bolt directly to an 8BA bellhousing. Most of those transmission have both the wide and early narrow bolt pattern. The narrow one is what you want.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

The RTS trans will bolt directly to an 8BA bellhousing. Most of those transmission have both the wide and early narrow bolt pattern. The narrow one is what you want.

Assume your referring to the one piece bellhousing as opposed to the hogshead, correct? I know O'Ron has adapted later transmissions to the one piece steel bellhousing, I have never use one, but I work with 59a blocks!

[31blackcoupe]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

The RTS trans will bolt directly to an 8BA bellhousing. Most of those transmission have both the wide and early narrow bolt pattern. The narrow one is what you want.

Thank you flatjack! The bolt pattern is 8 1/2-9" on the top mount. Is this the narrow pattern (hopefully)?

[31blackcoupe]

Well my friend, it ain't working. You've been very helpful in the past so I thought I'd reach out again. Here's the problem(s):
The trans I have was adapted to fit a '31 A. The input shaft and bearing retainer were lengthened approx. 2" to fit the "A" bell housing. Additionally the bearing retainer was made smaller where it attaches to the trans (to fit the A bell) and sleeved larger to fit the V8 throwout bearing carrier. I have taken the "return to stock" route in an attempt to make this fit my '48 59ab V8. I am not finding the right parts and I'm not sure if I'm on the right path. At this point I'm not even sure what the trans model # is. Tremec T-170 RTS Ford 4 speed top loader "overdrive"? I have an adapter from Gene Sanders in Ohio that matches the bolt pattern fine, but it's not deep enough because of the mod's made for the "A" adaptation. Anything you can help with would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Art

Originally Posted by JSeery

The hogshead is what you need for a 59a block, on the 8ba block you would need the addition bell adapter.

The hogshead can be used to adapt about anything, just depends if you are wanting to go to the effort.

[31blackcoupe]

Thanks Tom,
I have the hogs head for the T-5 and the bolt pattern on the trans is too wide by +/- 2". Gotta find something else

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by 31blackcoupe

Thanks Tom,
I have the hogs head for the T-5 and the bolt pattern on the trans is too wide by +/- 2". Gotta find something else

Just curious, which bolt pattern is too wide, the Ford 4-speed? Not sure why that would matter, it would most likely require an adapter plate anyway.

[31blackcoupe]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Just curious, which bolt pattern is too wide, the Ford 4-speed? Not sure why that would matter, it would most likely require an adapter plate anyway.

The trans bolt pattern. Top bolts are 8 1/2" apart.

[Bassman/NZ]

I have this exact swap. I got my adaptor, clutch, and throwout bearing here. He ships overseas. www.macsspeed.com
The website seems to be down at the moment, but they're on Facebook. Their products are top notch, and the dollar is really in your favour at present. On Facebook they are Mac's Speed Shop, and they're in Whitford, Auckland.

[31blackcoupe]

Thank you! I'll check it out

[51504bat]

Originally Posted by 31blackcoupe

Just removed my 4 banger which ran great with this F150 top loader overdrive transmission that was in the car when I bought it. I am now in the process of putting in a 1948 59ab Flathead V8. Does anyone know of an adapter solution and/or parts supplier to make this trans fit the V8 motor? Any help would be appreciated. The torque tube has been shortened as well as the rear radius rods. The stock cross member is untouched and still in the original location. I have already converted to hydro brakes. The trans is mid 1980's from a light duty truck from what I can gather. Sometimes referred to as a T170FT Tremec (I think).
Thanks!

Model Engineering/just 32 makes one for a Ford top loader 4 speed which i believe is the same bolt pattern as the trans you are referring to. I have one that I haven't installed yet and if you'd like I'll post some photos. Excellent quality and good people to deal with. Their web site isn't the best but give them a phone call, well worth it. 330-644-3450
http://modelengineeringco.com/

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by 51504bat

Model Engineering/just 32 makes one for a Ford top loader 4 speed which i believe is the same bolt pattern as the trans you are referring to. I have one that I haven't installed yet and if you'd like I'll post some photos. Excellent quality and good people to deal with. Their web site isn't the best but give them a phone call, well worth it. 330-644-3450
http://modelengineeringco.com/

This is what you want.

[31blackcoupe]

Thank you! Just checked their web site and will give them a call. Lokks like the right part and close to Chicago!

[flatford8]

Try Cornhuskers too.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Camaro T5s and T5s for Fords use a different bolt pattern than the S10 "H" T5 bolt pattern. I got an adapter from Cornhusker who sells both the Ford/Camaro and S10 bolt patterns. I bought the Ford pattern for my T5Z tranny in my 32 5-window project .... I do believe your tranny has the Camaro/Ford bolt pattern ..... am I correct flatjack9?

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by TomT/Williamsburg

Camaro T5s and T5s for Fords use a different bolt pattern than the S10 "H" T5 bolt pattern. I got an adapter from Cornhusker who sells both the Ford/Camaro and S10 bolt patterns. I bought the Ford pattern for my T5Z tranny in my 32 5-window project .... I do believe your tranny has the Camaro/Ford bolt pattern ..... am I correct flatjack9?

Off topic: Tom, that is the setup I have (T5z) except I fab'd my own adapter plate and used a hogshead. What rear gears are you running? I'm using 4:11, but it's a quickchange so can be about anything I want it to be.