V8 length

34fordy

34fordy

Well-known member
Are the lengths from the front of a bare block to the back of the bell housing of 32-48 engines the same as a 49-53 block with the bell housing attached? I have not been able to find the measurements. Thanks in advance.
 
An interesting observation from my youth. Aftermarket companies, such as J.C. Whitney, used to sell adapters that would allow you to use a later flathead (which didn't have the rear extension on the block) with an early transmission. I learned pretty quickly it was much cheaper to go to a junkyard and get the factory extension that Ford put on later flatheads.
 
Really? I have never seen a commercial late flathead to early flathead adapter. Do you know who made one?
 
51, those adapters on ebay ARE Ford, not aftermarket. Same ones you were seeing in the junkyards... I have never seen an aftermarket adapter either unless it was for joining chevy/Ford, chrysler/Ford etc.
 
big deuce said:
51, those adapters on ebay ARE Ford, not aftermarket. Same ones you were seeing in the junkyards... I have never seen an aftermarket adapter either unless it was for joining chevy/Ford, chrysler/Ford etc.
Click to expand...

At this late date, I am unable to prove that there were aftermarket adapters, but I'm pretty sure that J.C Whitney, Warsharsky, and Honest Charley sold late Ford flathead to early ford transmission adapters.
 
Speedway Motors used to sell them and had them in their catalog. They were actually a sand-blasted Merc bell housing with a "Speedway" tag. Interestingly, they came without the starter plate, which made them useless. I think they were $55. I'll bet that you saw something similar.
 
The 37 and later pumps can be used on the 8BA block, but the cam and front distributor usually go with it plus the Mercury pan to get a good fit. The earlier cars with the different front mounts can use adapters. I think the most common mount adapter is reproduced for that purpose.
 
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