8BA in 40 sedan

[LODAC]

Hi everyone.
I'm planning on removing the 59A out of my Tudor and replacing it with an 8BA. However, by eyeballing it, it seems like the crank pulley will line up directly on the fender brace. I'm not worried about the fan cause I have an electric fan on my car. Has anyone ever came across this problem before and how did you deal with it.
Thanks.

 

[19Fordy]

Hi everyone.
I'm planning on removing the 59A out of my Tudor and replacing it with an 8BA. However, by eyeballing it, it seems like the crank pulley will line up directly on the fender brace. I'm not worried about the fan cause I have an electric fan on my car. Has anyone ever came across this problem before and how did you deal with it.
Thanks.

I installed an 8BA in my 40 about 50 years ago. You do have to remove the "Y bracket" fender brace that bolts to the cross member and both fender aprons.
I replaced the bracket with two 1/8 x 3/4 x3/4 angle iron brackets bent to form an "L". Each bolts through a hole that is stock in the top of the OEM frame rail. You could also use 1/8 x 1 x 1 or 3/16 x 1 x1 angle for more strength. Have never had any problems. As a side note, the 40 exhaust manifolds will bolt to the 8BA. I also used 8RT pickup truck water pumps. Any questions, just ask. I was just thinking..... I think you can still use the stock "Y bracket" if you saw off the horizontal part of the bracket and then box the two remining legs for additional strength. Might be worth a try. I have a NOS 40 Ford Y bracket if you need one.

Here's more:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search.php?searchid=41311962
and
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search.php?searchid=41311973

 

[LODAC]

Thanks 19Fordy,
I was actually looking at an older post you made about this. I was thinking about cutting or modding the centre of the centre brace. Maybe boxing the bracket or making the cross brace in a V to clear the crank pulley. I'd hate to cut my original bracket tho... this car is in great original-ish shape.
I have a set of Red's headers on my 59A in the sedan. I was wondering if I could just use the exact same setup. Seems like Red's headers are selling a different set for the later model on their website for the same application...
Another issue will be the chatter rods. I have a T170 transmission that is bolted in the back to a cross member. I was wondering if deleting the anti chatter rods would give me some problems?
Thanks.

 

[V8 Bob]

Bob Drake used to offer (maybe still does) nice brackets I'm using that replaces the stock fender brace for use with IFS, and would solve the pulley issue with the 8BA. Holes for the brackets are already in the frame, just need to be enlarged.

 

[tubman]

If you're going to a T170 transmission, doesn't that imply a switch to open drive? Although I hate to assume anything, if it does, the "chatter rods are superfluous. If you have that sort of problems, there are other solutions, such as traction bars, etc.

 

[LODAC]

Yes it's an open drive with parallel leaf on a 51 (I believe) pickup Dana rear end.
So maybe I can just delete the chatter rods all together.
The transmission mount is probably sufficient to handle that issue.

 

[19Fordy]

Since you have converted to an open drive line with parallel leaf springs you don't need anti-chatter rods. Here's some good info:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19879
and a lot more info. here:
https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=29...hA0gEINzMxNWowajGoAgiwAgE&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=HCTS

 

[LODAC]

Thanks for confirming 19Fordy.
But my question stands about the headers. I noticed Red's sell a different set of headers for each engines. As far as I know the exhausts on the 59A and 8BA bolt the same. I wasn't aware that there are any differences between the two.
I'd hate to have to order a new set of headers..

 

[19Fordy]

Thanks for confirming 19Fordy.
But my question stands about the headers. I noticed Red's sell a different set of headers for each engines. As far as I know the exhausts on the 59A and 8BA bolt the same. I wasn't aware that there are any differences between the two.
I'd hate to have to order a new set of headers..

The difference between headers may be the configuration where the rest of the exhaust system fits thru the frame and bolts to the header. If possible, can you post a photo of the 59A header and the 8BA header Red's sells?
Here's a good info. thread about RED's headers:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280422&showall=1
and here:
https://www.bing.com/search?q=photo...NIBCTEwMTM3ajBqNKgCCLACAQ&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS
I installed an old pair of FENTON headers and they fit fine.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=fento...YQNIBCDcxMTVqMGo0qAIIsAIB&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS
I found the clutch pedal (when depressed) will hit the exhaust pipe where it passes thru the frame opening. You can use a ball peen hammer to tap down on the exhaust pipe to make a dimple for clearance or you can fabricate a custom exhaust pipe.

 

[LODAC]

The difference between headers may be the configuration where the rest of the exhaust system fits thru the frame and bolts to the header. If possible, can you post a photo of the 59A header and the 8BA header Red's sells?

I'm looking through Reds now and I can't find the specifics on the two types ... maybe I misinterpreted something the last time I searched it because I thought I saw two separate product for the same application. My bad.

 

[19Fordy]

Ok . Keep us posted. My exhaust pipe dia. is stock. I suppose it's not needed but, I used two exhaust port gaskets on each header where it bolts to the block. Also used both Allen head cap screws flanges with lots of anti-seize for better clearance and ease of installation and future removal. Remember, there are two different sizes of exhaust manifold bolts used.
Headers were Jet Hot Coated many years ago.

 

[TJ]

I used the Drake brackets on my '40 when I eliminated the Y brace. They worked perfect.

 

[19Fordy]

I used the Drake brackets on my '40 when I eliminated the Y brace. They worked perfect.

Click on link below for photo of the fender braces mentioned by TJ . These were not available when I installed my 8BA in 1972. Wish I could sell mine for $50.
https://bobdrake.com/products/1939-...prn-support-brace?_pos=5&_sid=b0871afb4&_ss=r

 

[LODAC]

I used the Drake brackets on my '40 when I eliminated the Y brace. They worked perfect.

I've looked quickly on Drakes website and couldn't find any.

 

[LODAC]

Sorry, I just found it on Drake's
Pretty easy to make. I think I'll follow 19Fordy's design with an angle and base plate. Thanks guys !

 

[fortyfords]

On my sedan when I installed an 8RT, I just cut the cross brace off the fender support and never had a problem. On my latest 40, I took the fender support completely out and made two fender supports that sit on the frame. Works well also.

 

[pistonbroke]

I think your sedan frame and my 41 1/2ton pickup use the same frame. When I was finishing the 8ba swap that was started before I purchased the truck I used the 40 lower pully and wide belt truck pumps . I have no clearance problems and still run the y brace. Tim

 

[Ol' Ron]

Yes the headrs are the same. Just put the 40 headers on the late block. For futher builders all the early accessory parts of the early block and the late block are interchangeable. Heads, pumps, cranks , cams, dists, and any thing you ca think of except the trans. However the Merc trans from 49/51 will There's a big difference between building and assembling something, One requires thought.
Gramps

 

[LODAC]

I think your sedan frame and my 41 1/2ton pickup use the same frame. When I was finishing the 8ba swap that was started before I purchased the truck I used the 40 lower pully and wide belt truck pumps . I have no clearance problems and still run the y brace. Tim

I was having a close look at the pulley on the 59A that is currently in the car. Looks like the 8BA pulley will line up directly on the cross bar of the Y brace. I think I'll mod the brace so I can put both model engine in it without having to change much on the engine.

 

[LODAC]

On my sedan when I installed an 8RT, I just cut the cross brace off the fender support and never had a problem. On my latest 40, I took the fender support completely out and made two fender supports that sit on the frame. Works well also.

Thanks for your input. I think that's the way I'll be going with this. I can make it look like the brace is still stock that way. Cause you can barely see the cross brace anyway. I was thinking cutting off the centre brace and boxing the whole thing.