Mating an 8ba with a 1939 trans help

J

joshhirst13

Member
Hey guys. Does anyone know of a book/manual I can purchase that shows the step by step process of installing a bell housings/clutch on an 8ba as well as the process of mating up a transmission. I have an 8ba with a bell housings/starter plate & 1939 Ford top loader trans. I just want to make sure I do it right as I’ve never done this before.
Thanks
Josh
 
joshhirst13 said:
Hey guys. Does anyone know of a book/manual I can purchase that shows the step by step process of installing a bell housings/clutch on an 8ba as well as the process of mating up a transmission. I have an 8ba with a bell housings/starter plate & 1939 Ford top loader trans. I just want to make sure I do it right as I’ve never done this before.
Thanks
Josh
Click to expand...


Hey Josh! It's actually a pretty straight forward process.

1....Install flywheel. It MUST be a '49-'53 8BA-type flywheel. The six threaded
clutch bolt holes are drilled all the way thru the 8BA flywheels. Earlier
flywheels, these bolt holes are 'BLIND'. Also make sure you haven't forgotten the PILOT BUSHING.

2....Using a 'dummy' alignment tool or a spare input shaft from an old transmission, align the clutch disc as you bolt the pressure plate to the flywheel.

img_0060-jpg.4538872


3....Then, you will bolt-on either your STAMPED STEEL (RED) half bell from a '49-early '51 Mercuty with STARTER Plate, or a CAST IRON (BLACK) half bell with it's correct Starter Plate. Note....the cast iron allows 11" clutch use, whereas the stamped-steel Merc piece only allows a 10" clutch.

49-51mercbh-jpg.2024443


48-52ftbell-jpg.2024441


4....Place your throw-out bearing on the snout (bearing retainer) at front of trans. Don't forget to attach the small return spring at top of throw-out bearing, as seen in picture below, complements of Mac VanPelt.

trans2-jpg.2995620


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5....Now, only a simple matter of lifting that heavy trans and stabbing the splined input shaft into the splined center of the clutch disc. Some folks take two long bolts with the hex heads cut-off and hand thread them into the 1/2-bell holes at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock to help support and guide the trans into position. It helps (SOMETIMES) to put the trans in gear to prevent the input shaft from turning as you attempt to mesh the trans/clutch splines. That is a precision fit that sometimes takes a couple of cuss words to make things mate. Make sure you slide the trans all the way up to the 1/2-bell BEFORE running the bolts up tight.

This should get you there, and this last pic shows about what you should look like! DD


86b0bb7964099294727957df0324a824.png








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Coop’s post is great & will be very helpful. Just a heads up, I have the same combination in my ‘35. There was an issue with what bell housing to use to install that set up in a ‘35. I don’t remember exactly why as it’s been a while but I believe I had to use a pick up truck bell housing to successfully complete the conversion of the 8ba with the 39 transmission into my 1935 Tudor. It was my first early Ford project so I don’t remember all the details. If applicable maybe someone else on FB might be able to chime in and give you more specifics. specifics.
 
Wow. Thanks coop. I was just looking for a book or manual to find the info & you went above & beyond with a full on tutorial. Thanks a lot I really appreciate it.
Josh
 
Great post DD. As I remember it, you have to use a Mercury clutch disc to match the splines on the transmission (1 3/8" vs 1" on an 8BA?) and an appropriate pressure plate (either a Mercury with a re-drilled flywheel or something else that matches up?).

It's been 30 years since I did this, but with the proper parts from your FLAPS, it all goes together easily.
 
tubman said:
Great post DD. As I remember it, you have to use a Mercury clutch disc to match the splines on the transmission (1 3/8" vs 1" on an 8BA?) and an appropriate pressure plate (either a Mercury with a re-drilled flywheel or something else that matches up?).
Click to expand...


What would be wrong with using a MUCH-MORE-COMMON 8BA flywheel & pressure plate, along with a "pre-'49" disc for the 1-3/8" spline? DD
 
V8COOPMAN said:
What would be wrong with using a MUCH-MORE-COMMON 8BA flywheel & pressure plate, along with a "pre-'49" disc for the 1-3/8" spline? DD
Click to expand...

If that's what works, fine. I just know that there has to be some mixin' and matchin' of parts because of the difference in spline size, but don't remember the exact combination. I do remember that it's pretty simple and the parts are easy to find (at least they were 25 years ago).
 
V8 set you straight.

I used the 49-51 Merc flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. Clutch is 10 in.
Also used the stock 1940 Ford throw out bearing. LIKE V8 said, "Don't forget the pilot bushing/ bearing" in the flywheel. I used a sealed bearing.
 
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Jeez, you guys are tough. My only point was that you can't do it with all 8BA parts or all early parts.

I believe that this kind of basic information would be valuable to the O/P.
 
Ok. So here’s some more craziness to add to the mix. So I have a 1939 3 speed top loader 78-7006. Can I use the gears from the side loader trans (see photos). I’m not sure what year trans it is. I’m having a hard time reading the numbers & deciphering off of van pelt sales what the side loader is.
Also, I’m posting photos of the pressure plates, flywheel, clutches, bell housings, & starter mounting plates that I have. Maybe all these pics will help figure out what I can & can’t use.
Thanks guys. Your knowledge is invaluable.
 
joshhirst13 said:
Ok. So here’s some more craziness to add to the mix. So I have a 1939 3 speed top loader 78-7006. Can I use the gears from the side loader trans (see photos). I’m not sure what year trans it is. I’m having a hard time reading the numbers & deciphering off of van pelt sales what the side loader is.
Click to expand...


Below is a '40 through '48 "SIDE LOADER" trans, so-called because it's shifting is accomplished via the shift arms on the side, instead of on the "top"! Replace the entire gearset from your "side loader" into your "top loader" trans. It's a great gear set, and is actually the same design as the '39 Ford gear set. Show us some pictures! DD



Side Loader Trans

226873
 
I called and talked to the people at Fort Wane clutch. They sent me the whole setup for my 53 Merc. EAC mated to a 39 trans that has a 9 1/2 clutch. With the cast bell housing it's a bolt in the clutch plate has the 10 spline and the larger T,O,Bearing. They are the GO TO People in my book.
 
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