Swap a 59ab flathead on my 49 shoebox

[santino2010]

Hello all I have been thinking of swapping out my 8ba flathead out of my 49 shoebox, motor is too tired to keep on going
I have a friend who will sell me his 59ab for super cheap
Would I run into any issues if I were to put this 59ab on my shoebox?
Thanks

[flatford8]

I think the biggest problem would be the clutch linkage because the bell housings are different.......Mark

[rotorwrench]

The transmissions are also different. The 49 thru early 51 Mercury transmission is likely the only one that would be an easy fit. Water pumps & engine mounts are a another deal. I don't know how well that swap will go. There are a lot more 8BAs out there than 59 series engines.

[tubman]

Don't be insulted, but if you have to ask, you shouldn't do it.

[philipswanson]

Big mistake.

[Ford Freak]

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Originally Posted by philipswanson

Big mistake.

x2 !!!

[Hal Beatty]

Yes, you will run into a lot of issues...

[Jay in Mass]

Anything is possible, however with this swap , you are going to have lots of headaches.

[papanomad]

easier to find someone to trade the 59a for a 8ba.

[19Fordy]

Resist the temptation. Buy and sell the 59. Then buy an 8BA.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Resist the temptation. Buy and sell the 59. Then buy an 8BA.

The above is GOOD advice, but utilizing both of the adapters below would at least help-out the clutch disengagement situation. DD

[tubman]

"DD", what are those? Early Ford to Chevrolet and Chevrolet to '49-'64 Ford? Inquiring minds want to know.

You know you shouldn't be encouraging this sort of thing, don't you?

[bobH]

Like already posted, I wouldn't do it either, because of all the 'issues'. But, if he really wanted to go this way, I have the lower adapter shown in DD's post, and I will donate it to this cause. And, like tubman, I'm curious... Is that smaller bolt pattern early (49-64) Ford?
After 'don't do it', it could also be mentioned that he could use a 42-47-style pickup trans with the 59 engine, for the open-drive feature. And, again, don't do it.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by tubman

"DD", what are those? Early Ford to Chevrolet and Chevrolet to '49-'64 Ford? Inquiring minds want to know.

You know you shouldn't be encouraging this sort of thing, don't you?

I know, I know, but after thinking about the clutch situation with the 59A-type (which I had never thought about before), I just had to go looking for a way...………………..you know! Something along those lines, anyway. YES and YES on the adapters above. DD

[Bob C]

Not sure but oil pan may be a problem also.


Bob

[Ol' Ron]

It can be done, but:$$$$$$$$$

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by bobH

Like already posted, I wouldn't do it either, because of all the 'issues'. But, if he really wanted to go this way, I have the lower adapter shown in DD's post, and I will donate it to this cause. And, like tubman, I'm curious... Is that smaller bolt pattern early (49-64) Ford?
After 'don't do it', it could also be mentioned that he could use a 42-47-style pickup trans with the 59 engine, for the open-drive feature. And, again, don't do it.

FOR SURE, not a project for the faint-hearted. But man, what a challenge! That '42-'50 open drive trans would just serve to make even more of a marfa-d**e out of this rig. Now I'm not sure any more....isn't the '49-'64 bolt pattern the same as the Ford T5 pattern? BobH...mighty damn decent of ya to offer-up that adapter. Bottom line....GET AN 8BA, or God forbid...………………………………………………………………………………...a SBC. But NOT a 59A!!! DD

[bobH]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

FOR SURE, not a project for the faint-hearted. But man, what a challenge! That '42-'50 open drive trans would just serve to make even more of a marfa-d**e out of this rig. Now I'm not sure any more....isn't the '49-'64 bolt pattern the same as the Ford T5 pattern? BobH...mighty damn decent of ya to offer-up that adapter. Bottom line....GET AN 8BA, or God forbid...………………………………………………………………………………...a SBC. But NOT a 59A!!! DD

DD, I tried to mate that adapter to a T5 that I had, and it's an 'almost' fit. The indexing ring was perfect. I would have had to mess with the holes a little, drill one larger, move one, and figure out how to adapt another. Not sure exactly what trans I had, I was told later Ford, perhaps Mustang. It was a new, never used trans, likely a replacement. It had an electronic speedo. Shifter was further back than S-10. Can't really answer your question. But, the bolt pattern was close enough that I could make it work. The project went away, so I no longer have it available to look at.
Bob

[40cpe]

He really needs the '49 transmission because the clutch equalizer bar bolts to it. I suppose a bracket could be made to adapt to another transmission if justified.