8BA to 39 Trans.
 

How is a 39 type Trans. adapted to a 8 BA . My first time Flathead experience.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Truck bell housing that has the round transmission bolt pattern.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Or a '49 to early '51 Mercury "half-bell" which is stamped steel (which I prefer). Whatever one you get, make sure it comes with the proper starter plate; (the housings are much easier to find than the plates). The Mercury will not accomdate an 11" clutch (the truck bell will) which keeps you from making the mistake of using the heavy truck clutch, which you don't need.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Make sure you get the correct 'starter plate' with the bellhousing. Newc

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Should also need the 8rt truck water pumps and truck oil pan.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

If installing in a 30s car.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

This is the '49 thru early '51 Mercury stamped steel half bellhousing that "tubman" mentioned above, along with the correct starter plate.

Coop


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1612983289


ANOTHER VIEW

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1508093528


Cast Iron Truck Version BELOW


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1621299067

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Hey Coop, the starter plates for the stamped Merc half-bell and the cast truck unit in your pictures look the same. Do you know if they are? (I'm a little short of knowledge on the cast bells).

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

You forgot the front pulley change and the oil pump pick change 36fordguy

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Denny ..... Honestly, I was not SURE, but that tremendous site that "V8Bob" and partner put together eons ago states that "The starter plates can be interchanged on the cast & stamped half bells", although it should be noted that the truck bells (cast iron) will not have the tab with three bolt holes that the Merc plates have for bolting them to the pan. But what do I know?

Coopman

.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

As I have said before : "Actually, quite a bit".

Thanks for the info; it might make finding a missing plate for one a bit easier; I went throught the process many years ago when I stupidly bought an "Early to Late Flathead Adapter" from Speedway Motors for $89.95. It was a sandblasted Merc half-bell without a starter pate.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Just make sure you get one from a V8 not a six. They are different.


https://images.craigslist.org/00H0H_...rH_300x300.jpg

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

I have a couple 6 cylinder bell housings I bought as V8's. Sellers didn't know the difference.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

It has been my experience that the cast bell plate is recessed like in Coop's photo for the diecast seal retainer to bolt to the rear pan bolts and the Mercury plate is flat. they will interchange but you wouldn't be able to use the retainer on the flat plat.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

I have the cast bellhousing on the engine and the fingers on the pressure plate do not reach the throughout bearing.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

jimvette59: Many years ago (1972) I installed an 8BA in my 40 Ford. Read all the info. and links in the thread below about how it's done. 1949-53 Ford and Merc engine blocks are the same size.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ht=8ba+40+ford

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

I started manufacturing the flat starter plates that work with the Merc bell housing. I've also bought quite a selection of starter plates from guys on the BARN and HAMB along with several Merc bell housings

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Thank you for the reply. I am trying to install a 39 transmission on my 8 BA . My problem is the pressure fingers does not reach the through out bearing.

Re: 8BA to 39 Trans.
 

Thank you for the reply. I am trying to mate up a 39 transmission to a 8BA and the pressure plate fingers does not meet up with the throw out bearing.