Automatic Trans Conversion Advice

Ehlien

Ehlien

Member
Hi

I am new to the site. I have a 47 Studebaker pick up going on an S -10 chassis and I'm putting in a 49 Merc 8CM flat head. Since its a bare cab and chassis right now and I don't have any shift pedal assembly or trans shifter linkage components so thought it would be easier to convert to an automatic trans. I'm looking to swap out the 3 speed trans and overdrive for an automatic. Right now I'm thinking a C4. Dose anyone have any experience or recommendations for such a prioject?

Thanks
 
The S-10 is not a good chassis to start with. Bad front suspension system. I'd offer you a suggestion, but the only one I can think of is an early Ranger. Not sure what year tho. Yes a C-4 works very good with a stock engine. If the engine is alittle bigger the AOD with OD is a better choice. However this is on;y an opinion. We used an S-10 chassis for our last conversion, never again.
 
What ever transmission you decide on, don't forget to figure in rear end gear ratios as part of the equation.
 
Ol' Ron said:
The S-10 is not a good chassis to start with. Bad front suspension system. I'd offer you a suggestion, but the only one I can think of is an early Ranger. Not sure what year tho. Yes a C-4 works very good with a stock engine. If the engine is alittle bigger the AOD with OD is a better choice. However this is on;y an opinion. We used an S-10 chassis for our last conversion, never again.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feed back Ron. Sounds like you have some experience. I reconditioned the Studebaker chassis and I hated to give up the look of the front drop axle but the chassis needed brakes and a lot of suspension work so I sold it to help fund the project. The Studey body fits well and I have seen it on an S-10 chassis before and my buddy basically had one he gave me. Never heard the bad news on s-10 's but at least this one has the suspension and brakes in tact to start with and has to have a better ride than the original. Now just need to locate and fit the drive train and body to it. Doing this project on a tight budget just to prove it can be done so I'm thinking now I will scrap the auto idea in favor of the stock trans and fitting an external slave cylinder to the casing or just going with a cable system.
 
What ever you do mark down were the front wheel are to a know spot. It doesn't look good 2 to 3" off center to front fender.
Mustang II all the parts will go back and much faster build. S10 truck rear is wider for your truck. The c4 I like the Flatomatic but lot of money, best keep the mercury OD with a push pull slave cylinder. Different frames have many unknown problems .
 
George/Maine said:
What ever you do mark down were the front wheel are to a know spot. It doesn't look good 2 to 3" off center to front fender.
Mustang II all the parts will go back and much faster build. S10 truck rear is wider for your truck. The c4 I like the Flatomatic but lot of money, best keep the mercury OD with a push pull slave cylinder. Different frames have many unknown problems .
Click to expand...

Right George .. everything will be aligned . I'm planning to extend the rear fenders with a 2 to 3 " spaced between the fenders and bed.. not sure if I will have to make any similar adjustments on the front fenders.
 
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