37 coupe: V8-60 to 8RT swap

[Gideon]

I bought water pump rebuild kits thinking that I was just going to press them apart and slap the kit in and be done... Nope. Thing cracked like glass. I did do research before trying to take the pumps apart so I had an idea of what might happen. Needless to say, I didn't even attempt to do the other pump, instead I ordered two new ones from speedway.

[19Fordy]

Gideon: WARNING! I would not use that rusty 8RT fan. I literally had one fly apart while running.
Over the years they flex and work harden causing tiny cracks and weak metal.
I was standing next to the engine "working the accelerator linkage" when it "grenaded". Pieces went into the radiator and through the hood.

Luckily they missed me. From that day in 1971 forward I never stand "in line" with a rotating fan.

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Gideon: WARNING! I would not use that rusty 8RT fan. I literally had one fly apart while running.
Over the years they flex and work harden causing tiny cracks and weak metal.
I was standing next to the engine "working the accelerator linkage" when it "grenaded". Pieces went into the radiator and through the hood.

Luckily they missed me. From that day in 1971 forward I never stand "in line" with a rotating fan.

From what I've been told, I can't use the 8RT fan with a '37 radiator so I purchased this Offy alternator pulley to adapt my original generator mounted fan to the new powergen alternator. My concern now is that the Offy pulley is actually bigger than the pulley that comes on the powergen alternator and that it will make the new alternator turn slower and throw off the alternators ability to charge properly and also void the warranty.

[Gideon]

I love when the parts truck (aka UPS) comes. Only thing left to get is a 3spd topshift transmission and a radiator and a few small odds and ends.

[Gideon]

Is there a way to press these in without destroying them? The bushing material is very soft and I've mushroomed two already and had to order another shackle kit. I also ordered a reamer to clean up the hole a bit.

[JSeery]

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The reaming may not be the issue, you need the proper tools to do the installation. There are past threads that discuss the process and show some different tools you can use.

[Ol' Ron]

The 8RT heads have a very low compression. Find a set of EAB heads and increase the torque for running such a low rear (3,27). I'd run 3.54 rear, get off the line alittle better. Yes the 40 60hp, Was a completely different engine.

[JSeery]

Some past threads on shackle installation.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hackle+install

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hackle+install

[john in illinois]

"From what I've been told, I can't use the 8RT fan with a '37 radiator so I purchased this Offy alternator pulley to adapt my original generator mounted fan to the new powergen alternator. My concern now is that the Offy pulley is actually bigger than the pulley that comes on the powergen alternator and that it will make the new alternator turn slower and throw off the alternators ability to charge properly and also void the warranty."

Gideon,The powergen is listed only for 39-48 and 49-53. I took this to mean it did not have thrust bearings for a 32-38 generator fan. May be not important.
I went with a Whitny alternator in a Ford generator case with tapered front bearings for the fan that I used.

The fan pully is larger than an alternator pulley, but it charges fine at traveling speeds, not much at idle.

John

[George/Maine]

I have used this fan setup on my 39 and this is my 8RT in my 46.
The engine it was on was a Mercury think 49 wide belt.
Looks like the rivets were ground off and alum fan bolted on.
Also the generator slides were ground off the use the 8rt bracket.

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

The 8RT heads have a very low compression. Find a set of EAB heads and increase the torque for running such a low rear (3,27). I'd run 3.54 rear, get off the line alittle better. Yes the 40 60hp, Was a completely different engine.

Would 8BA heads suffice? I have a pair from another motor that's sitting in the garage.

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Some past threads on shackle installation.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hackle+install

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hackle+install

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll have to fabricate some tools for the job but I'll get it one way or another.

[Gideon]

Thanks to GaryinLa I have a '39 ford transmission. Neither one of us thought to look it over before I took it home, it had sat on a shelf in his garage for 30 years. The case was cracked in several places and was not usable. I did find another on Reds Vintage Parts and Gary refunded me a portion of the money I spent on the new case. I'll definitely be doing business with him again.
I rebuilt everything with new syncros, new bearings and thrust washers and gaskets. I may have to bend the shifter a little because it hits the dash but other than that everything fit nicely. I also removed the '39 throwout shaft and used the shaft and arm from the 60 horse transmission so that there was no issue with the clutch rod.

[skidmarks]

I would have cleaned all the rust out of that case before i used it and gylptaled it

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by skidmarks

I would have cleaned all the rust out of that case before i used it and gylptaled it

The case seems to have been media blasted and sat on a shelf for a while. I did take a scotch pad and a wire brush to all the mating surfaces. Other then that it's just very light surface rust.

[George/Maine]

Before you do anything while you have apart. Check the distance to throw out bearing. The engines are not the same in length, Will have to make rod longer or index the clutch lever.

[Fred A]

Originally Posted by skidmarks

60 horse 40 stuff is nothing like a 37 60hp.

Skid, I'm starting with the chassis mounts for the 60. Right that the '37 body components and radiator stuff is sure not the same as '40. Passed on the right stuff when I picked up the 022 style engine. The '40 coupe came later. Best I have is a 59A that came in the coupe. Not all bad. Making due. Good Luck: Fred A

[37 Cab]

I would sure deal with the firewall while the engine is out.

[Ol' Ron]

Sounds like you have everything covered, However the 3.25 rear might be alittle to much gear for an 8RT. This is a low compression 239 engine that produces not much low speed torque, In JWL"s book, he has some great information on the torque these engines have with most modifications, as the stock 239 produces only about 80HP. Advertised HP is the figment of the advertisers imagination.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Sounds like you have everything covered, However the 3.25 rear might be alittle to much gear for an 8RT. This is a low compression 239 engine that produces not much low speed torque, In JWL"s book, he has some great information on the torque these engines have with most modifications, as the stock 239 produces only about 80HP. Advertised HP is the figment of the advertisers imagination.

Just like shoe box Jack reported in another thread...see below! DD


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"Last weekend I had a chance to put the 49 on a dyno. The engine is a260 cu 4 inch. by 30 thou. isky. cam 77-b stock heads cut 60 stock intake with one ford 94 carb fenton headers with 2 smittes ss chev. valves and bubbas dissey. at 3,820 rpm max power 82.39. at 2,590 rpm max torque 157.22."