8ba to 39 top loader adaptor

[Phil Gillespie]

Wonder if anybody can give me the part No and correct name of the adaptor for using a 39 top loader g/box with an 8BA.
Have this set up in a 38 PU. Would like to keep a look out for one.
Phil NZ

[Ol' Ron]

Any 49 to 51? Ford Pu truck or Mercury. I'm not sure of the year of the PU's but the Merc changed to the 49 style ford trans. Make sure you get the started plate with it.

[deucemac]

The truck adapter is cast iron and the Mercury is stamped steel. The truck adapter can be used with a 9, 10, or 11 inch clutch. The Mercury will only accept a 9 or 10. Ol' Ron is correct about the starter plate. The plates DO NOT with each other or the Ford starter plate. Use of the wrong one could cause the starter to jamb in the flywheel. I learned that one at 17 during the data ages doing my first 8BA to early trans conversion

[Phil Gillespie]

Thanks for info. Just to clarify i should be looking for a 48 to 52 Ford PU truck Transmission Bell Housing Starter plate 226. As there is one on ebay at present.
Also a starter plate is also required. Would i find these part Nos in the Green Bible/
thanks in advance
Phil NZ

[nickthebandit]

Check with Van Pelt Sales. he will give you the correct info.

[Mac VP]

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Here is the breakdown for those adapters and their matching starter plates:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...s-adapters.htm

I don't know what you were looking at but the "226" you mentioned might be for the six cylinder engines and those parts are NOT compatible with the flathead V8's.

We usually have both types in stock.....

[Phil Gillespie]

Yes it looks to be for a 6 cylinder engine. Thanks very much for supplied info Mac and to others who are always ready to offer advice and help.
Phil NZ

[rotorwrench]

It's a good idea to consider the oil pan and clutch too when looking for parts to convert an early car to an 8BA. The rear sump type truck pan is deeper and is set up to work with a starter plate that has a shallow vertical depression to fit with the aluminum seal plate that fits between the pan and the half bell. The 10-inch and 11-inch clutches for pickups & trucks will work with all earlier V8 transmissions although most folks prefer the 10-inch Long type clutch. The 1949 to early 51 Mercury cars has a nice rear sump oil pan that works well in the early vehicles for clearance in the front for the tie rod. The late 51 pan will work as well but has no studs on the bottom for the earlier type starter plate. The Stamped steel Mercury half bell generally has a tie in bracket that attaches with 3 studs to the bottom rear of the oil pan and the bottom of the starter plate. The bracket is sometimes spot welded to the starter plate and some times not so may be missing in flea-pay adds. The Mercury starter plate is flat with no added contours. The Mercury 10-inch Borg & Beck clutch will work with the early transmissions too. The late 51 Mercury cast iron bell will also work well to change to late type transmissions but won't work with the early Ford transmission designs.

Here is a good link. http://www.flatheadv8.org/bellhousing.pdf
I prefer the Mercury set up to include the half bell, oil pan, oil pump pickup, starterplate, flywheel, and clutch. A lot of folks want a small block in the Mercs so the drive train ends up on flea-pay.

[Phil Gillespie]

Thanks again for all the good information and links which is very much appreciated.
Phil NZ

[Fortunateson]

Gee, I thought I could just bolt up the '39 trans to my 8ba, car bell housing, with no sweat. Kinda new to the intricacies of the flathead 8. I do have a truck engine as a spare and I hope that it has th correct bell housing and everything I need. Will check back when I actually start the project. The Ford Barn is a bottomless pit of info!

[Phil Gillespie]

Always a bit more to it than just a straight bolt up.
Hopefully with some good info from this forum and obaining the correct parts all should progress well come time for this matching of the 8BA with the 39 top loader gearbox.
Phil NZ