The Definitive '39 Trans to Model A Engine Thread.

[28A]

Hey fellas,

After doing a lengthy search i haven't found much info into doing this conversion. I'm aware that Clings Automotive make an adapter but have never seen pictures of it all installed in a car or chassis.

I am sure there are a few of you on here who have this combination and since there doesn't seem to be another thread on here that has much in the way of information or pictures i figured if we have one thread we can compile all of it into it'll make it easier for anyone else wanting to do it.

I have an engine, and just picked up a MINT '39 merc trans, and have '40 pedals mounted already so just wanting to see pics of the adapter, wishbone mount ect.

[aussie]

hi mate i have a 30 coupe with a 5 speed in it and a 30 sportscoupe with the 39 box in it .The 5 speed is far better if you would like to have a look at them let me know i live in brisbane

[28A]

Hey Mate i'm using the '39 box because firstly i got it cheap ($150) and secondly i love the shifter, and thirdly i want to keep it all authentic to a 1940s build so i can relive those times.

Where in Bris are you? I'd LOVE to come and check out your cars for sure!

[Vanspeed]

28A, I am currently running cling's adapters in two of my A's with 37-39 trannys. Pm me if you need pics, they best mod you can do to an A in my opinion.

[28A]

Mate if you can post a bunch of pics on here that'd be awesome! Theres hardly any info out there for this conversion so pics would be awesome.

I'd love some pics of the adapter itself and of the wishbone mount.

Is there any mods you have to do to fit it or just straight bolt in? What about the rear mount for the v8 box? What did you do to fit that?

[28A]

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Heres the trans i picked up last night. I'm pretty sure that $150 for it is an amazing deal. Came out of a running '39 Merc.

[1931 flamingo]

The levers are on the wrong side.......................haha
Paul in CT

[Rowdy]

I picked mine up cheap also. Payed $7 for it at a local auction. The other one I removed from a 47 pu that I bought for $150 and sold the visor off of the pu for $285. Still have alot of parts off of the pu to sell. Rod

[Vanspeed]

I will post some pictures of it today If I can for you.

[28A]

Thanks Mate!

[b ramsey]

it is all a bolt in. i didnt do anything for a rear trans mount. for the wishbone mount, you may have to drill and tap a hole for a bolt. pretty painless. i did it, wouldnt do it again, id leave the stock trans there.

[28A]

How is it a straight bolt in without an adapter?

Also, how did you get away with not having a rear mount instead of the original bellhousing mounts? Wouldn't the whole lot just sag with no rear mounting?

[PC/SR]

28A: Its pretty much a bolt in with the Clings adapter and the associated parts for the wishbone, pedals, etc. You drill a hole in the bell housing area for the new wishbone adapter. The original V8 rear mount is also the bearing retainer. The Model A bearing retainer did not have a rear mount. Sag would not be any more than the original A. However, I fabricated a sort of float a motor type mount to the cross member.
No pics, sorry. My computer wants me to upload pics to a new Google account to send out, free fast and easy they say, but the hell with it.
Edit PS: As I look at your trans again, the wishbone adapter will work OK, but am not sure the pedal adapter will work on the right hand side. And I dont know where you guys mount the emergency brake. Check with Cling www.clingsaftermarket.com Your mate Aussie should be able to help. Check with VAn Pelt http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...gearratios.htm for lots of V8 trans info. Good luck, its a nice conversion.

[28A]

PC/SR,

Thanks for that info mate! I've got my pedals mounted already, i'm using '40 pedals. I basically only need the adapter and the wishbone mount.

I will also be fabbing a hand brake mount seperate from the transmission as i've got a '33 one.

I'd love to see pics of the clings adapter in a chassis and how the wishbone mount works.

[2935ford]

I've had a good '35 trans sitting around for a long time contemplating just this but......as neat and easy as the conversion is, IMHO the conversion is a pretty pricey affair just to get synchros for second to third. I can't justify it yet.

I'll put my money into squeezing a little more HP out of the banger for now and keep on double clutching.

[Benson]

Here are wishbone details with pictures and drilling hole for bolt in clutch area of case:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/up...7001A-8593.pdf

[Jason in TX]

This is in my car... Pedals mount to a bracket that bolts to the bell housing and shift tower. Emergency brake handle mounts to a bracket on the passenger side that just mounts to the shift tower. Wishbone mounts to bottom of the transmission.

Use a V8 style clamshell to mount the Model A torque tube to the back of the transmission. The stock 1939 feet are not supported by anything.

[28A]

Thanks for those pics mate. Is that a Clings adapter?

I can see that it mounts at the bellhousing just like a model a, if thats the case then i can understand why no one uses the rear mount.

[Jason in TX]

Yes. This is the clings adapter. It's painted Ford green so it blends in and is a little hard to see, but you get an

- aluminum bellhousing adapter
- pedal bracket
- e brake bracket
- wishbone bracket
- clutch fork bracket.

[Vanspeed]

Great pics, now I don't have to crawl under mine and take pics. It is pretty straightforward kit. I ran a reversed eye spring in mine and had to notch the adapter for the wishbone but there was way more than enough material there so no issues.

[asapguy]

Ansen Automotive also made an adaptor, looks a lot like Cling's. I have one of the Ansen kits in my 29 rdstr. I also picked up NOS one a couple yrs. back.

[Hoop]

So far nobody has discussed the different gear ratios available for the "39 transmission."

Suggest anyone who is interested go over to the Ford Barn Early V8 forum and search "transmission ratios." There's quite a bit there, and any discussion about the benefits of using an early V8 transmission should include gear ratios as well as the synchros.

(For those thinking about the swap, be aware that some later cases have reinforcement ribs on the bottom ... "supposed to be superior", but aren't ... the rib interferes with the wishbone adapter and grinding may be required.)

[28A]

Are the ratios better than a Model A trans?

Do you get a top end speed increase with the gearing of a '39 trans or is that based purely upon your rear end ratio?

[Vanspeed]

I do not notice any more top end but when touring with stock model a's, I have way more 1st and 2nd gear than they do.

[1931 flamingo]

The advantage is the synchros.
Paul in CT

[Vanspeed]

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What I meant by way more first and second was you don't have to shift so fast, the is more travel between shifts.

[Rowdy]

The biggest problem I have with this is the amount of fab it is going to take to put the early 29 e-brake handle on this. I have no intentions of using the later handle. It would be nice if they offered a bolt on mount for this. Rod

[PC/SR]

V8 trans ratios are at http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...gearratios.htm
No help for the top end. All are 1:1 in high gear, same as the A trans. For comparison, the A has 3.12 in first and 1.85 in second.

[Vanspeed]

My truck has the shifter in front and I plan on running a v-8 trans in it also so looks like I will be fabbing up some new brackets for it. Would be nice if they offered both though.