37 coupe RTS T-170 swap!

[Dyingbreed]

Has anyone done this swap I am currently running an 8ba with a 3 speed had torque tube troubles so going open driveline rear axle is already setup for it have the bell adaptor coming from Gene in Ohio plan on leaving tail shaft alone.
What have you guys done for the x member center section to allow trans mounting? I think I’d like to retain the stock front wishbone setup even if I was to make a new mount for the ball socket. Thanks for the help

[ActionYobbo]

Which adapter did you get? A 1/4” plate or a bellhousing?
I mostly did one with the 1/4” plate but ended up going auto “so my wife can drive it” but it’s really for my knee and hip can’t take it anymore. So my setup is forsale on hamb also there is a few good how to threads on the hamb. Thats where I found most of what I needed to know

[joel]

I did a T170 conversion for my '41 p/u with 59A engine and Hot Rod Works open drive conversion to the banjo rear end. I'll post some pics here and a link to my build thread on the HAMB. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...1069927/page-9. Start at post 250. I used an adapter bell housing from MEC that had the T170 bolt pattern.

[rotorwrench]

This alteration has been done a fair amount for folks that want an overdrive with a top shift. The Tremec T170 RTS-TOD has now been out of production since 1987 and they really only had a three year run with that particular type. Replacement hard parts are slowly depleting and the folks that made conversions tended to hoard parts for them. There used to be some adds for this stuff but you don't see them anymore.

I knew a few folks that ran them in their F150s & Broncos with V8 applications and some of them had issues with the 3rd/high reverse motion rocker in there after they got a bunch of miles on them. They aren't a bad set up but they aren't as stout as some folks like.

[joel]

Very true on scarcity of gears. I was able to find decent rebuild kits with bearing, seals, syncro rings etc I did look 6or 7 months for a better ( not new) 4th gear.

[Dyingbreed]

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I just got the bell housing as I already have the 3” ring on the back of the engine I have a honey hole at a junkyard I probably could of found a hogs head I picked up 2 t-170’s for cheap both are the closer ratio and both are the higher on OD ratio one is Less greasy so I may start with it hoping it was the higher ratio I’m running 3.54 gears with 215/75/15 tires and an 8ba from receipts looks to me .060 over with a cam so it has a little power a lot better running than my 52 Chevy with a 216 ��

[Dyingbreed]

Wow you did exactly what I was thinking about wanted to keep wishbone I have a 2 post lift it is stuck on at the moment but seeing your rotisserie makes me want to yank the body off possibly

[FlatTopFreddie]

I did it in my 36 Coupe. Closed drive.

[joel]

If you want more info call me at 5742745837

[Dyingbreed]

Originally Posted by joel

I did a T170 conversion for my '41 p/u with 59A engine and Hot Rod Works open drive conversion to the banjo rear end. I'll post some pics here and a link to my build thread on the HAMB. Start at post 250. I used an adapter bell housing from MEC that had the T170 bolt pattern.

What clutch did you end up using I realized you aren’t too far from me can’t send you a message since I haven’t had much activity yet

[Ol' Ron]

I converted a stamped steel 8BA bellhousing to fit the T-170/, Bored the regester to fit the trans and welded some slugs to the housing and drilled and tapped then for the trams. Used the stock clutch linkage. Welded a bracket to the frame for the rear mount. This was probably the easiest trans conversion I ever made/ Also converted a toyota 5 speed the same way./ The best thing about this type of conversion is??????? they don't cost anything
Gramps

[FlatTopFreddie]

I used a 42-47 bell housing, change the clutch shaft to 36 shaft and fork. Drilled the T170 case to the bellhousing. Took a skin off the front input shaft housing to fit nice in the bellhousing and served as an index. Cut the throwout bearing section off of a model A transmission input shaft housing, it fits nicely over the T170 and allows the use of 36 throwout bearing. Shortened the hollow driveshaft and torque tube 3”.

Designed a new rear engine/transmission mount so it sits on the original frame mount.

Really not a difficult task if ya break in down in steps.

[ActionYobbo]

Originally Posted by Dyingbreed

What clutch did you end up using I realized you aren’t too far from me can’t send you a message since I haven’t had much activity yet

10 inch from a 77 ford maveric works with the t-170 and the original hogsheads clutch fork. The pads on the clutch fork might need adjusting inwards. Heat and bend the forks or braze extensions onto the pads.
The 3 finger style like in the picture below

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ActionYobbo

10 inch from a 77 ford maveric works. The 3 finger style line in the picture

[joel]

I used a 10.5 inch diaphragm that was built by South bend clutch. The clutch linkage is entirely stock 40,41 p/u or 40 car. My flywheel is a Ford foe an 11 inch Long style pressure plate. I used the flywheel because I had it and had it lightened to 34# for another project.

[FlatTopFreddie]

I used stock 36 flywheel and pressure plate with a 10” disc from a 1994 F150 4.9L. It’s slightly larger than stock disc but still fits the pressure plate.

(RockAuto M-Pact 384184ST1)

[joel]

The Maveric above looks like a good choice .
I looked at trimming the torque box up to clear the tail shaft and keep the wishbone mount. I didn't like what I saw so I removed it completely and used a CE replacement kit. I still had some fab to do. Here are some pix of the top half of the wishbone ball socket that I made.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by joel

The Maveric above looks like a good choice .
I looked at trimming the torque box up to clear the tail shaft and keep the wishbone mount. I didn't like what I saw so I removed it completely and used a CE replacement kit. I still had some fab to do. Here are some pix of the top half of the wishbone ball socket that I made.

[Dyingbreed]

Originally Posted by FlatTopFreddie

I used a 42-47 bell housing, change the clutch shaft to 36 shaft and fork. Drilled the T170 case to the bellhousing. Took a skin off the front input shaft housing to fit nice in the bellhousing and served as an index. Cut the throwout bearing section off of a model A transmission input shaft housing, it fits nicely over the T170 and allows the use of 36 throwout bearing. Shortened the hollow driveshaft and torque tube 3”.

Designed a new rear engine/transmission mount so it sits on the original frame mount.

Really not a difficult task if ya break in down in steps.

So you also kept the stock wishbone setup for the front? Mine was drivable until I tore into the torque tube to replace the center bearing and found my rear splines were trashed at the coupler. Still have the body on I was thinking about cutting from the top and trying to allow the lower section to stay stock I do like how Joel did his. Not crazy about doing the split wishbone and worrying about bending them just right.

[Dyingbreed]

Thanks guys trying to decide if it’s worth pulling the body off to do this or just fight it with the body on. Only good thing I have going for me is I have a 2 post lift. In all actuality if I came up with a 6 spline torque tube in good shape I could cruise it for the summer then do this in the winter. Just got this in January and been headache after headache but after driving it with 3.54 and 215/75/15’s she still revs pretty high at 50mph.