The Ford Barn

flatford39 · 06-17-2016, 04:45 PM

Hi guys,

I am attaching a couple of pics of some 8BA bell housings I have. Glad I cut my toenails LOL. The mission here is to mate my 8BA to 39 type of top loader in my 31 Roadster. The case is a 78. I have two types. A cast iron one and a steel one with the starter plate. I believe the cast iron one is the one I need to use but am not sure of the starter plate. The motor I am using has the truck oil pan with the bottom access door.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

JSeery · 06-17-2016, 05:31 PM

Have you looked at the often posted paper on bell housings?

19Fordy · 06-17-2016, 05:37 PM

Do as the above gentleman suggested via the SEARCH.
The steel bellhousing with the starter plate you have looks like the 49-51 Merc.
That is the one that will work for you. It will take the 10 inch clutch.
Tons of info. has been posted on your topic. A SEARCH will make you a happy man.
I believe 39 and 40 transmissions have the same bolt pattern for that Merc bellhousing. I used one in my 40 but it will also work with a 39 transmission. The only advantage of the cast iron truck bell housing is that it will take an 11 in. clutch. 11 in. is not needed as a 10 in. will work fine. Have had a 10 in. in my 40 with an 8BA since 1970. The 49-51 Merc. oil pan is also a better choice in my opinion. Start here.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...d+transmission

cas3 · 06-17-2016, 07:23 PM

yup, lots of info out there. van pelts web site has a great ID section for bell housings. either of what you have will take 32-48 trannys, unless your steel one is for the 6 cylinder. check to see that it mates up to the block

rotorwrench · 06-18-2016, 11:00 AM

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The first one is the cast iron one for the Ford trucks with the 11-inch clutch. It's usable but heavy. I prefer the pressed steel type from either the F1 with light duty 3-speed or the 49 thru early 51 Merc type along with the associated rear sump oil pan.

06-17-2016, 05:31 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Help with identification of a part Have you looked at the often posted paper on bell housings?

06-17-2016, 05:37 PM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,604	Re: Help with identification of a part Do as the above gentleman suggested via the SEARCH. The steel bellhousing with the starter plate you have looks like the 49-51 Merc. That is the one that will work for you. It will take the 10 inch clutch. Tons of info. has been posted on your topic. A SEARCH will make you a happy man. I believe 39 and 40 transmissions have the same bolt pattern for that Merc bellhousing. I used one in my 40 but it will also work with a 39 transmission. The only advantage of the cast iron truck bell housing is that it will take an 11 in. clutch. 11 in. is not needed as a 10 in. will work fine. Have had a 10 in. in my 40 with an 8BA since 1970. The 49-51 Merc. oil pan is also a better choice in my opinion. Start here. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...d+transmission Last edited by 19Fordy; 06-17-2016 at 05:47 PM.

06-17-2016, 07:23 PM	#4
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beverly Kansas Posts: 5,301	Re: Help with identification of a part yup, lots of info out there. van pelts web site has a great ID section for bell housings. either of what you have will take 32-48 trannys, unless your steel one is for the 6 cylinder. check to see that it mates up to the block

06-18-2016, 11:00 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Help with identification of a part Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The first one is the cast iron one for the Ford trucks with the 11-inch clutch. It's usable but heavy. I prefer the pressed steel type from either the F1 with light duty 3-speed or the 49 thru early 51 Merc type along with the associated rear sump oil pan.