Want to build a 59ab using a 8ba block

[36coupe]

I am having problems finding the good 59ab block. I have a good 8ba block. What parts from which engine do I need to use? I need it to look like 59ab with the distributor in the front and 59 ab heads

[rotorwrench]

You will need the 59 series front cover, early water pumps, 59 series cam, and 59 series timing gears if you want the thrust to work like a 59 series. A 59 series distributor & ignition set up or a crab type if you prefer. The oil pan from a 1949 thru 51 Mercury car with the bell housing, flywheel, and B&B clutch will all work well. Truck stuff with a 10-inch Long type clutch will work too but it's a little deeper pan and has the dust seal set up on the back. They use the 10-inch clutch on a lot of pickups but larger trucks have the 11-inch Long and it's a heavy bugger. Any of the 8BA family of flywheels can be redrilled for 9 or 10 inch Long type clutches. All are good and lighter than the 11-inch. Venting is where a person may need to go with a PCV valve rather than try to use a road draft tube or mess with the front right corner of the oil pan. Intake manifolds for some aftermarket applications of 8BA family may be preferable to the early type 59 series but those can be made to work I'm sure.

Your 8BA block will need two coolant ports plugged at the front to run 59 series heads. It's all been done before and it gives more choices for transmission changes.

[RalphM]

I thought I only blocked one coolant passage in front of the right head. In the block.

[19Fordy]

Here's some needed info. Keep in mind that using the stock 8BA distributor makes working on the distributor much easier.
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[flatjack9]

Block one hole in the front of both sides of the block. Depending on what pumps you use, might have to block a hole on the front of each side of the block also.

[Ol' Ron]

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Rotowrench has it and it;s been done many times. The clutch will also depend on the transmission. Most passenger and light trucks in the 42/48 used a 9 .10 clutch, but the 9 is different than the early (' I think the 48 up 9 was actually a 9 1/2 as the bolt pattern is different. . But the fingers won't fit the early pilot shaft with out modification. I never use the early transmissions, so I'm not sure about this. hOwever the conversion has been done many times, Use the head gaskets for the style heads

[36coupe]

Its a backup engine for my 38 that already has a 59 series engine. I would be using the stock 38 transmission.

[Brian]

If you use the earlier pumps, you'll need to use the double sheave truck style. The 8BA blox don't have the oil passages for lubricating the bushing style pumps

[franksford]

If your using 59a heads you will need to plug a water passage hole in the front of the block. Easy fix drill and tap for NPT and use socked head brass pipe plug.

Frank

[RalphM]

Originally Posted by Brian

If you use the earlier pumps, you'll need to use the double sheave truck style. The 8BA blox don't have the oil passages for lubricating the bushing style pumps

Unless you use sealed bearing pumps, new or rebuilt.