The Ford Barn

FatFender · 08-07-2010, 07:51 AM

Hi all, I own a 1940 Ford pickup and recently got a good running 53 flathead engine I want to install in the truck. I understand I may need some type of bell housing adapter to have the newer engine accept the old 39 top loader? Is that a Ford Part or an OEM adapter of some type? Will I need to change anything else besides the bell housing? Will the motor mounts work?

Thanks in advance!
Fat Fender

JM 35 Sedan · 08-07-2010, 08:00 AM

A truck or Merc bell housing and water pumps should be the ticket for getting that 8ba engine in your '40 PU.

Mac VP · 08-07-2010, 08:01 AM

You have two choices to make the trans fit. One is the bell housing & starter plate from any 1949-50/51 mercury. The other is the bell housing & starter plate from any 1948-51 F-1 truck. The Merc bell was a heavy stamped steel housing. The F-1 bell was a cast iron piece.

The trans will need to have the 1940-48 type clutch release shaft (with the flat "tab" on the left end for the clutch equalizer shaft that goes over to the frame on the 1940-48 vehicles.

The trans should also have the 1937-41 style rear bearing retainer which has the 10" bolt hole spacing.

oldskool · 08-07-2010, 08:10 AM

your also going to need truck water pumps 8RT i believe is the number,also a fan setup because the stock 53 fan will interfear with upper rad hoses.

rotorwrench · 08-07-2010, 08:27 AM

If you can't find a 49 thru early 51 Mercury Borg & Beck clutch with flywheel you can use any 8BA flywheel and have it drilled for the early Long type clutch pressure plate & disk used with the 1 3/8 trans input spline.

Kerby

shamer · 11-11-2010, 12:40 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have the bell housing and new water pumps if you're still in need. I was going to do the same thing and ended up going a different direction.
Give me a call if interested.

Steve
(760) 486-5950

08-07-2010, 07:51 AM	#1
FatFender Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 17	Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead Hi all, I own a 1940 Ford pickup and recently got a good running 53 flathead engine I want to install in the truck. I understand I may need some type of bell housing adapter to have the newer engine accept the old 39 top loader? Is that a Ford Part or an OEM adapter of some type? Will I need to change anything else besides the bell housing? Will the motor mounts work? Thanks in advance! Fat Fender Last edited by FatFender; 08-07-2010 at 08:19 AM.

08-07-2010, 08:00 AM	#2
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead A truck or Merc bell housing and water pumps should be the ticket for getting that 8ba engine in your '40 PU. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

08-07-2010, 08:01 AM	#3
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead You have two choices to make the trans fit. One is the bell housing & starter plate from any 1949-50/51 mercury. The other is the bell housing & starter plate from any 1948-51 F-1 truck. The Merc bell was a heavy stamped steel housing. The F-1 bell was a cast iron piece. The trans will need to have the 1940-48 type clutch release shaft (with the flat "tab" on the left end for the clutch equalizer shaft that goes over to the frame on the 1940-48 vehicles. The trans should also have the 1937-41 style rear bearing retainer which has the 10" bolt hole spacing. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

08-07-2010, 08:10 AM	#4
oldskool Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: shirley ny Posts: 992	Re: Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead your also going to need truck water pumps 8RT i believe is the number,also a fan setup because the stock 53 fan will interfear with upper rad hoses.

08-07-2010, 08:27 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead If you can't find a 49 thru early 51 Mercury Borg & Beck clutch with flywheel you can use any 8BA flywheel and have it drilled for the early Long type clutch pressure plate & disk used with the 1 3/8 trans input spline. Kerby

11-11-2010, 12:40 AM	#6
shamer Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Apple Valley, Ca Posts: 11	Re: Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have the bell housing and new water pumps if you're still in need. I was going to do the same thing and ended up going a different direction. Give me a call if interested. Steve (760) 486-5950