8ba/39 truck woes.

Shampipple

Senior Member
I had an issue I thought I’d inquire about. 49 8ba, truck bell, truck flywheel and oil pan, 39 transmission.

The flywheel was tight against the block. I had to take it all apart and add a shim between the crank and flywheel.

Has anyone else ran into this issue? The shoebox flywheel is not cut as deep in the pocket.

Not a huge issue, but I’m curious about the difference.


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Easy way to tell an 8ba flywheel from an earlier model. On an 8ba the pressure plate bolt holes go completely through the flywheel. On early blocks they don't.
 
To put it bluntly, early and 8BA flywheels do not interchange. The flywheel must match the engine.
 
Thanks guys.

I’ll have the 8ba drilled and surfaced too. This group is full of priceless knowledge!


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I didn't know it wouldn't work, I turned some off the back of the 11" truck flywheel when putting the 49 merc into the big truck, modified a starter drive to get full engagement----
 
I didn't know it wouldn't work, I turned some off the back of the 11" truck flywheel when putting the 49 merc into the big truck, modified a starter drive to get full engagement----


That’s why I tried shimming mine.


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How are you handling the cooling fan?

Kirk


I haven’t gotten that far yet. Once the cab is back on I’ll start measuring.

I think I’m modifying the shoebox radiator to fit, or I have a couple other candidates.


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How are you handling the cooling fan?

Kirk


I hope to use the mechanical 8ba fan, even if I have to set the radiator a little farther forward. I don’t mind electric fans, I just don’t want to go that route if I can help it.


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I measured my clearance from firewall to radiator this week, and it appears there is 32" of room.
On my truck there would be no way to move the radiator forward.

Kirk
 
I measured my clearance from firewall to radiator this week, and it appears there is 32" of room.
On my truck there would be no way to move the radiator forward.

Kirk


Thank you!

I’ll figure something out once I get my flywheel back and cab installed.


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Kirk, No woe's brother we are here to help you out. Do what ever you need with the flywheel arrangement to get that 8BA installed.

Don't worry about the cooling fan, I had Brasswork build my radiator for my 39 with a Spal cooling fan. No fan off the crank makes a big clearence and balance difference.

The sensor that is installed in the head with my fan relay is a perfect set up. My 39 will run cool as a cucumber all summer long.

I had posted about my installation and set up but any pictures you need I can post for you. I have a 59AB but no matter the radiators are the same.
 
Kirk, No woe's brother we are here to help you out. Do what ever you need with the flywheel arrangement to get that 8BA installed.

Don't worry about the cooling fan, I had Brasswork build my radiator for my 39 with a Spal cooling fan. No fan off the crank makes a big clearence and balance difference.

The sensor that is installed in the head with my fan relay is a perfect set up. My 39 will run cool as a cucumber all summer long.

I had posted about my installation and set up but any pictures you need I can post for you. I have a 59AB but no matter the radiators are the same.


Thanks. I’ll search the post. I should get my flywheel back on Monday. I’ll reinstall the engine. Hook up my exhaust.

I just finished the firewall. I’m painting the underside of the cab tomorrow. Once I get the cab on I can start measurements for the radiator. I may go the brassworks route, but I have three various flathead radiators in house. I’m going to try to modify one to fit. It looks like my shoebox radiator will fit with minor mods and use the mechanical fan.


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Just a follow up on this subject.

I’m really happy with the route I took, and thought I’d share what I did.

I used the 8ba 49 ford shoebox Radiator and core support. I welded it to the frame.

In order to fit the body, I had to trim the flange and support just above the second mounting bolt.

The last photo is where I’ll have to trim the sheet metal air duct from behind the grille. I may even bend it rather than cut it off. So far so good.

It runs the original generator and fan from the 49 wide belt stuff out of the Shoebox. I’m running a 12volt regulator.

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