8BA in a 36 Ford

Coopman, I appreciate your taking the time to locate the pictures and information. The later pitman arms don't appear to be longer than my current arm and reversing the drag link would make things worse. I'm stumped as to why the truck pan works in some '35 to '40 frames and some it doesn't. Maybe someone will stumble across this thread and explain it.

Thanks again for always being willing to help.
 
What is unique about this pickup?

Assuming you're asking about the '49-ish Merc oil pump pick-up, it has a unique, round sheet metal fixture that attaches to the pick-up and uniquely-shaped tube itself, so as to locate the assembly in the round cut-out in the Mercury's pan baffle. You never seem to be able to find one of these assemblies FOR SALE when you need one, and when they do turn-up on eBay and such, they tend to be priced (in this past year or so) from $300-$495 that I have seen. There are three of these pick-up assemblies listed TODAY on eBay. Take your pick at......$475, $399.99, and the 'deal of the day' at $350!

The pans themselves are relatively rare and generally sell at a premium (I have never seen a usable, repairable one listed for LESS than $100, and usually much MORE). As you well-know, back in the day, this kind of stuff was 'canned' without a thought that us restorers might need it someday. Hence, the Merc stuff (which was RELATIVELY low-production for only 2+ years anyway) got discarded or lost, especially something as insignificant as a pump puck-up. And guys know that if ya 'NEED' somethin', somebody's liable to cave-in and "pay the price"......just the world we live in! Anyway, some pics of the pan, and the 'high-dollar' culprit to show how they fit together. DD


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Coopman, I appreciate your taking the time to locate the pictures and information. The later pitman arms don't appear to be longer than my current arm and reversing the drag link would make things worse. I'm stumped as to why the truck pan works in some '35 to '40 frames and some it doesn't. Maybe someone will stumble across this thread and explain it.

Thanks again for always being willing to help.

I'd be willing to bet that the difference has everything to do with the elevation that these engines can be installed at. For instance, different water pumps will mount the engines at different heights, as well as the use of those U-shaped spacers that were used on '49-ish Mercurys adding to the mix. DD
 
I WOULD NOT start another thread, as this stuff is really all relative.

I posted this picture in the past, yet had to search for it for two hours this evening. Below, I show four distinct pitman arms from left to right. The first one on the left is '35-36 and should have a "48-" prefix. The second is a "78-" prefix which is for '37-'40. The third is a "21A-" which is '42-'48, and the taper in the drag link hole is opposite the rest of these arms. The arm on the right is an "11A-" which is '41-ONLY, and also the Ford service replacement part for "78-" arms. Remember, the direction of drag link taper is reversed on the '42-'48 (21A-) arms. although ANY of these arms will fit the splines on your steering box. Maybe this will help a little! DD


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I'd be willing to bet that the difference has everything to do with the elevation that these engines can be installed at. For instance, different water pumps will mount the engines at different heights, as well as the use of those U-shaped spacers that were used on '49-ish Mercurys adding to the mix. DD

This is all great stuff as I am also putting a 8ba in a 36 coupe, I originally planned to use her electric fan.
I have a mismatch of used parts I’ve gathered up over the years well I get confused on what I have from what year. There’s so much knowledge on here from people they been playing with this stuff for their whole life and they know the different parts at a glance.
I wonder if someone could start a thread that shows pictures of the different years of the same thing. The picture of the steering arms is great. I have a pile of water pumps and I’m not sure what years they are from, the same goes for exhaust manifolds, intakes, basically everything else on the flathead. When I’m looking at used parts at a swap meet I know it’s Flathead but I don’t know what year. Anyways not trying to hijack the thread. Thanks for all the input.
 
Pitman is same from '37-'40. They have a "78A-" prefix. '41 is a one-year-only..."11A-" prefix. '42-'48 has a "21A-" prefix. DD


I have '40 steering gear box in my '36, the front axle is a '41 dropped 2", brakes '47-48 with '39 drums.

The pitman arm is Ford 21-A 3590-3 015 which reputedly is '40 Ford.
When I first put the '40 steering gears in the '36 I used the '36 pitman, it hung down to low so i switched to the '40, worked great.
 
I have '40 steering gear box in my '36, the front axle is a '41 dropped 2", brakes '47-48 with '39 drums.

The pitman arm is Ford 21-A 3590-3 015 which reputedly is '40 Ford.
When I first put the '40 steering gears in the '36 I used the '36 pitman, it hung down to low so i switched to the '40, worked great.

As I noted FOR YOU back in October of 2019 (CLICK THE LINK BELOW), any part with the prefix of "21A-" indicates a Ford part that was first used in 1942! The "21A-3590" Pitman arm was used on Ford Passenger cars through 1948. A 1940 Ford Pitman arm will have a "78-3590" number forged into it. "78-" indicates a Ford part first used in 1937. The "78-3590" Pitman arm was used on Ford passenger cars from 1937-1940. In addition, 1941 Ford passenger cars used a 'ONE-YEAR-ONLY' Pitman arm with the prefix of "11A-" (11A-3590)!


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1809550&postcount=10
 
I have a ‘35, not sure if 8BA into a ‘35 has same issues but when I had my 8BA built I told the builder it was for a ‘35, he said he put an Oil pan from I think either a PU or different year / model & I have no Pitman arm issues.
 
I have a ‘35, not sure if 8BA into a ‘35 has same issues but when I had my 8BA built I told the builder it was for a ‘35, he said he put an Oil pan from I think either a PU or different year / model & I have no Pitman arm issues.

I'm also thinking I had to change oil pans on the 8ba I put into a '35 3w coupe, but it was only 60 years ago and I can't remember all the details :) However, I'll never forget all the girls who wanted a ride in that coupe :)
 
DD, :) that’s what I keep telling my wife, worked on 4, five might be pushing it, LOL! But what the hell ;)
 
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