The Ford Barn

52merc · 01-27-2011, 02:08 PM

anyone ever fitted a 59a into a 49/53 ford car? if so what issues if any with the pan & the steering thanks

V8 Bob · 01-27-2011, 04:59 PM

'49-'53 Ford cars used a center hump pan, so the 59A pan and/or steering would not work together without major work. The 8BA car water pumps have to have to bypass ports plugged to work with the 59A. The 8BA intake will fit, but won't work with the 59A ventilation without mods. Then there's the clutch linkage fabrication and transmission adaption necessary. Yea, just a few of the many issues. I'm sure someone has done it, but why?

There are many more late 8BA engines available that will just bolt in, so it would make no sense to use an early flathead. JMO

52merc · 01-27-2011, 07:56 PM

thinking about a french block they need 59a pan for starter

blucar · 01-28-2011, 12:05 PM

I have to agree with V8 Bob, all the work required to adapt a 59AB engine into a '49-53 vehicle would be counter productive. The 8BA, 8CM engines are far to common to mess around with the earlier style of engine, even if it was one of the new French engines.
Rather than go through all the modifications for the 59A style of block, why not just dump a 289-351 Windsor engine in the Merc if you don't like the 8BA engines. The SBF engines make a nice conversion in the '49 and later FOMCO cars/trucks... The front sump pan can be a problem, however, it is easy to overcome.
Of course down in OZ there might be rules which prevent to many alterations to cars.

Bruce Lancaster · 01-28-2011, 01:12 PM

On the French block...I think general approach would have to be something like late passenger pan cut away from its flange and welded onto the cut away flange of an early pan by someone capable of eliminating all leaks and not warping the hell out of everything, matching pickup and late style pump, swapping to a '49-50 Merc trans would likely be cheaper and easier than adapting to existing flange. Late water pumps...can't remember for sure, but I think French block is correct for those. If not, only one plug would be needed to adapt.
Pan would also have to have some fabricated bracing welded on to help support the cut remnant of the early lower bellhousing...It would be structurally very flimsy otherwise.
I don't think there are any highly difficult adaptations needed, but the pan would require some thought and good craftsmanship.

52merc · 01-29-2011, 12:45 AM

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not for the merc thanks also not in oz

Frank Miller · 01-29-2011, 07:19 AM

He meant a merc transmission would be best for the installation. They are different from the ford and will bolt right up.

Bruce Lancaster · 01-31-2011, 05:51 PM

Yes. '49-50 Merc trans offers easiest and probably cheapest route to adapting early bell to late running gear.

01-27-2011, 02:08 PM	#1
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	59a into a 49/53 ford anyone ever fitted a 59a into a 49/53 ford car? if so what issues if any with the pan & the steering thanks

01-27-2011, 04:59 PM	#2
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,520	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford '49-'53 Ford cars used a center hump pan, so the 59A pan and/or steering would not work together without major work. The 8BA car water pumps have to have to bypass ports plugged to work with the 59A. The 8BA intake will fit, but won't work with the 59A ventilation without mods. Then there's the clutch linkage fabrication and transmission adaption necessary. Yea, just a few of the many issues. I'm sure someone has done it, but why? There are many more late 8BA engines available that will just bolt in, so it would make no sense to use an early flathead. JMO

01-27-2011, 07:56 PM	#3
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford thinking about a french block they need 59a pan for starter

01-28-2011, 12:05 PM	#4
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford I have to agree with V8 Bob, all the work required to adapt a 59AB engine into a '49-53 vehicle would be counter productive. The 8BA, 8CM engines are far to common to mess around with the earlier style of engine, even if it was one of the new French engines. Rather than go through all the modifications for the 59A style of block, why not just dump a 289-351 Windsor engine in the Merc if you don't like the 8BA engines. The SBF engines make a nice conversion in the '49 and later FOMCO cars/trucks... The front sump pan can be a problem, however, it is easy to overcome. Of course down in OZ there might be rules which prevent to many alterations to cars. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe Last edited by blucar; 01-28-2011 at 12:12 PM.

01-28-2011, 01:12 PM	#5
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford On the French block...I think general approach would have to be something like late passenger pan cut away from its flange and welded onto the cut away flange of an early pan by someone capable of eliminating all leaks and not warping the hell out of everything, matching pickup and late style pump, swapping to a '49-50 Merc trans would likely be cheaper and easier than adapting to existing flange. Late water pumps...can't remember for sure, but I think French block is correct for those. If not, only one plug would be needed to adapt. Pan would also have to have some fabricated bracing welded on to help support the cut remnant of the early lower bellhousing...It would be structurally very flimsy otherwise. I don't think there are any highly difficult adaptations needed, but the pan would require some thought and good craftsmanship.

01-29-2011, 12:45 AM	#6
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) not for the merc thanks also not in oz

01-29-2011, 07:19 AM	#7
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford He meant a merc transmission would be best for the installation. They are different from the ford and will bolt right up. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

01-31-2011, 05:51 PM	#8
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: 59a into a 49/53 ford Yes. '49-50 Merc trans offers easiest and probably cheapest route to adapting early bell to late running gear.