The Ford Barn

groinky · 02-24-2013, 08:18 PM

I'm new to the Ford barn and am looking for suggestions on how to properly install a reworked 1949 flathead into my 1940 Ford Deluxe woodie. I want to retain the three speed column mounted shifter and the original rear end. The engine has aluminum Offenhauser heads and an aluminum OFFENHAUSER manifold with a 390 Edelbrock
carband a mild street cam. It also has Johnson adjustable lifters ,MSD electronic ignition and headers.
Is this set up compatible with the separate bellhousing for an 8BA and can I still use the torque tube. I plan on installing a Columbia 2 speed rear end if I can find one.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jim in Nova Scotia

Mike in AZ · 02-24-2013, 08:46 PM

welcome to the 'Barn....sounds like a project....good luck...Mike

alan · 02-24-2013, 08:57 PM

in one word-Yes, this engine makes a little more HP , You will need truck type water pumps, set up for single drive belt as the clearance for the fan is a little difficult, I run an 8CM engine in my 41 truck and use a crank shaft mounted mounted fan with an adapter to do this, do a search on this site for the details. also you will need to do a little work to connect the different size hoses on the top of engine to radiator, Tatum Engineering has parts to do this. PS I also have a 40 wagon, but run a correct engine in it.

joel · 02-24-2013, 09:19 PM

Go to this page and look in the left column about halfway down "49 to 53 8ba bellhousing I.D. http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm

flatjack9 · 02-24-2013, 09:41 PM

You will need the steel or cast iron 1/2 bellhousing to use your transmission and driveline.

groinky · 02-24-2013, 10:14 PM

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Alan,it,s interesting that you also have a 1940 Ford station wagon with the stock engine. I have the original engine for my car. It stopped running in 1965 but luckily it was retained and was still with the car when I bought it. My main concern was how well the car would run along the highway for long distances at 65 MPH with the stock engines. Any thoughts on this?
Jim

Terry,OH · 02-25-2013, 06:56 AM

I don't believe you would have any problems running the original flat head at 65 all day. As long as you have the proper gear ratio for the Columbia. Take into account the extra weight of the vehicle, the terrain you want to drive (lots of hills or flat) and the power of the engine (two carbs and a mild cam, dual exhaust etc.). when deciding between 4:11 or 3:78 best to talk to people in the same boat for suggestions. Look at the final ratio in high and how the car performs without the Columbia

wga · 02-25-2013, 12:14 PM

A friend has a '39 Standard wagon, stock block with a rebore and mild cam. Runs two 97's with a Columbia, MSD ignition. Did 75 MPH on I5 here in California last year. No problems.

02-24-2013, 08:18 PM	#1
groinky Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 15	1940 Ford Woodie restoration I'm new to the Ford barn and am looking for suggestions on how to properly install a reworked 1949 flathead into my 1940 Ford Deluxe woodie. I want to retain the three speed column mounted shifter and the original rear end. The engine has aluminum Offenhauser heads and an aluminum OFFENHAUSER manifold with a 390 Edelbrock carband a mild street cam. It also has Johnson adjustable lifters ,MSD electronic ignition and headers. Is this set up compatible with the separate bellhousing for an 8BA and can I still use the torque tube. I plan on installing a Columbia 2 speed rear end if I can find one. Any help would be appreciated. Jim in Nova Scotia

02-24-2013, 08:46 PM	#2
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration welcome to the 'Barn....sounds like a project....good luck...Mike

02-24-2013, 08:57 PM	#3
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UPSTATESC Posts: 669	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration in one word-Yes, this engine makes a little more HP , You will need truck type water pumps, set up for single drive belt as the clearance for the fan is a little difficult, I run an 8CM engine in my 41 truck and use a crank shaft mounted mounted fan with an adapter to do this, do a search on this site for the details. also you will need to do a little work to connect the different size hoses on the top of engine to radiator, Tatum Engineering has parts to do this. PS I also have a 40 wagon, but run a correct engine in it.

02-24-2013, 09:19 PM	#4
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration Go to this page and look in the left column about halfway down "49 to 53 8ba bellhousing I.D. http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/flathead.htm

02-24-2013, 09:41 PM	#5
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration You will need the steel or cast iron 1/2 bellhousing to use your transmission and driveline.

02-24-2013, 10:14 PM	#6
groinky Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 15	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Alan,it,s interesting that you also have a 1940 Ford station wagon with the stock engine. I have the original engine for my car. It stopped running in 1965 but luckily it was retained and was still with the car when I bought it. My main concern was how well the car would run along the highway for long distances at 65 MPH with the stock engines. Any thoughts on this? Jim

02-25-2013, 06:56 AM	#7
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,750	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration I don't believe you would have any problems running the original flat head at 65 all day. As long as you have the proper gear ratio for the Columbia. Take into account the extra weight of the vehicle, the terrain you want to drive (lots of hills or flat) and the power of the engine (two carbs and a mild cam, dual exhaust etc.). when deciding between 4:11 or 3:78 best to talk to people in the same boat for suggestions. Look at the final ratio in high and how the car performs without the Columbia

02-25-2013, 12:14 PM	#8
wga Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 897	Re: 1940 Ford Woodie restoration A friend has a '39 Standard wagon, stock block with a rebore and mild cam. Runs two 97's with a Columbia, MSD ignition. Did 75 MPH on I5 here in California last year. No problems. __________________ Henry Ford designed the flathead without the aid of a computer.