Clutch help T5 to 8CM

[Southtowns27]

I'll be swapping an 8CM Merc and T5 into my 46 pickup. The Merc came with the original flywheel and a stamped steel ring that I refer to as a bellhousing, see attached pic, but no clutch parts. I have the aluminum adapter that bolts to this ring that the T5 then attaches to. What size clutch did the Merc have from the factory? Speedway offers a 10" pressure plate for the flathead as well as a 10" 26 spline clutch disk that fits the WC T5 and clears the flathead flywheel/pressure plate. Will this setup fit inside the factory "bellhousing" without interference?

 

[GB SISSON]

I have the same 10" clutch and PP from Speedway in my '47 PU woodie. I used the cast iron style bellhousing and it all works fine. I would think the stamped steel one would have the same dimensions, but I have been wrong before....

 

[19Fordy]

49-early 51 Mercs (manual shift), came with the Borg & Beck 10A7 10 in pressure plate and clutch disc. These are getting hard to find. Some folks are saying Fort Wayne Clutch is no longer the "go to place" for Borg &Bec clutches but alternative vendor is listed ion this thread.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335195&highlight=borg+&beck&page=2

 

[Southtowns27]

I've also since found the same info about the Merc clutch. Is there any reason I can't run an 8BA flywheel and use the commonly available 10" Ford clutch setup?

 

[19Fordy]

I think the problem is you have to use the 1939-48 Ford throwout bearing with the Merc 10 inch clutch if your bolting the 8BA to a 1939-438 Ford transmission. Here's a 9.5 in Ford clutch set up but they don't have the throwout bearing.
https://shoebox-central.com/1949-1950-1951-1952-1953-ford-clutch-kit-complete

I am not an expert but, there must be a few Fordbarners who can provide the correct parts information req'd. information

 

[19Fordy]

Here's a Goggle search that may help you. Contact the fellows mentioned in the first link about the T5 and 8BA.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=what+...IBCjE2MDEwM2owajSoAgCwAgA&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS