Adapting '39Ford transmission to '53 Flathead

F

FatFender

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