'39 pedals with 8BA bellhousing?

[BobM]

Has anybody used '39 pedals with a 8BA bell & '49-'53 clutch release arm?
Trying to make this all work with a 4 speed toploader. I know this would entail some fabricating.

[Scott De Shields]

Check out Ford/Merc 1953-53 cast iron bellhousing. Would probably have to manufacture a lever between 39 pedal housings and clutch fork.

[36tbird]

Get an 8BA truck bell housing adapter with the MT-250 adapter from Flathead Jack. I think that Drake is offering the '39 lever now.

[BobM]

36tbird, I have a FLATHEAD JACK catalog, forgot he offered adapters. I've got a '49-'51 Merc bell housing that I think might work with the MT-250. Thanks

[36tbird]

If you don't have the pickup bell housing, it won't be too hard to find one. They pop up a lot on the 'bay. I may have an extra that we can negotiate on if need be. Oh, make sure you get the correct starter plate to go with the truck adapter. As I recall there is a difference depending on if you have the cast or stamped one and if they get mixed up, you could have problems with the starter. Someone on here smarter than me can clarify that.

[BobM]

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I've got the matching starter plate for the Merc bell, will check with adapter supplier to make sure it will all go together.

[flatjack9]

I am using the stamped arm with my 39 pedals. Been a long time since I did it, but if I remember right I rotated the arm on the shaft 180* and used a rod to actuate the arm. It was pretty simple as I remember.

[rotorwrench]

The late 51 Mercury bellhousing is easy to adapt but probably hard to find. Only a one year deal there. The pickup & Merc half bells are definitely easier to find.

[BobM]

Flatjack9, just when I think I've got it all figured out with an adapter you come up with an easy solution & a "big buck" saver as well. I have one of your old Fordbarn posts & you mentioned you were able to get toploader tailshaft thru the center section of X member; do you recall how you did that? Am assuming the center section on a '36 is the same. What did you do for transmission mount? Thanks, Bob

[BobM]

Rotorwrench, how do you determine late '51 Merc bellhousing? My starter plate has part # 8RT-6366-C. Bellhousing height is 3 1/4". Full bell would have a cross shaft in it? But I think the adapters work with the half bell.

[Scott De Shields]

Go to Google or Yahoo and type in FORD FLATHEAD BELLHOUSING ID. V8Bob put together a collection of photographs of flathead ford bellhousing, starter plates and bottom in numerical order. Should help

[BobM]

Scott, very helpful, especially section on pans.

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by BobM

Flatjack9, just when I think I've got it all figured out with an adapter you come up with an easy solution & a "big buck" saver as well. I have one of your old Fordbarn posts & you mentioned you were able to get toploader tailshaft thru the center section of X member; do you recall how you did that? Am assuming the center section on a '36 is the same. What did you do for transmission mount? Thanks, Bob

I ground the rivets and removed the top plate on the center box section ( I had the body off when doing this), then flipped it 180* and reinstalled it. Made somewhat of a tunnel. I then removed enough of the end webs to allow the trans to go through. The trans mount was then fabricated behind the center section in the appropriate position. Might be a little tougher to do with the body mounted.

[BobM]

I will have to do this with the body on.............sounds like fun. I see CE may have a center section for me.

[Scott De Shields]

When I installed my three speed toploader to the SBC I split the front wish bone and installed the TCI kit that includes a new top/bottom/back plates. A little more work but made it easier for installing newer model transmissions

[36tbird]

In my '36 that I am building, I used a Chassis Engineering center section but made a new bottom plate to keep the wishbone ball in its stock position. The set up is a 59A with a Ford toploader 4 spd with Jeep shifter. The wishbone clears the trans sump OK but it is a little tight. I have the same setup on my '36 P/U with a Muncie behind the flathead. I like the ride of the old non-split wishbone front ends.

[BobM]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

I ground the rivets and removed the top plate on the center box section ( I had the body off when doing this), then flipped it 180* and reinstalled it. Made somewhat of a tunnel. I then removed enough of the end webs to allow the trans to go through. The trans mount was then fabricated behind the center section in the appropriate position. Might be a little tougher to do with the body mounted.

Flatjack, did you use the t/o bearing listed for the toploader, was it a self aligning bearing?

[flatjack9]

I don't really remember. I'll have to check my old build notes and see what I used.

[36tbird]

David Kee offers an input shaft and cover for the top loader that matches the early Ford. With those parts you may use the stock throw out bearing, pressure plate and disc.

[BobM]

Originally Posted by 36tbird

David Kee offers an input shaft and cover for the top loader that matches the early Ford. With those parts you may use the stock throw out bearing, pressure plate and disc.

Yes,am aware of David Kee, have his online catalog, that's another option for sure. Thanks for the help. This a great site!