Dear Grandpa:
I have a 1930 Model A coupe in which I am planning to install a ’53 Ford engine. I am also planning to use an early Ford transmission (hooked to a ’39 or ’40 Ford rear end). So, I am wondering what year transmission would best suit my needs. It would also be great to know if an adapter would be needed.
Merle Hoosier
Shelton, Washington
Answer:
Well I suppose some of the readers think “A bone” material makes rather dull reading. It’s really amazing how many letters such as yours I still receive. As I recall, installing a ’53 Ford engine in your ‘A’ is quite a project. It really doesn’t fit very well at all, even though this is (or at least was) a fairly popular installation. First, you’ll need a ’49-’51 Merc bell-housing so that a ’37 Ford (other trans won’t accept the larger clutch) floor shift box will bolt up to your late Flathead engine. Since your Ford Flathead employs a 1-inch spline clutch. You’ll have to change the clutch unit to something like a 10″ or 11″ unit with a 1% ” spline. ‘Forty-eight Ford passenger or truck will do nicely, however neither will fit your flywheel. You should either re-drill your flywheel. Or, if you plan to use the 11″ unit you can use a ’49-’53 Ford truck (the 11″ variety) flywheel. With some modification work for clearance the ’48 down flywheel-clutch assembly will work.
New Series: This question was asked in the summer of 1960 to Grandpa Nick. But if you would like to ask a question, we would love to continue where Nick left off. Please head over to our contacts page: HERE and shoot us a Flathead question. Your question might just help others who are wondering the same exact thing. We would like to make this a weekly Series.
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