It followed me home really. Anyway I now have a 254 flat 6 with a T98-1 and Chelsea PTO model 1CW. Take a look in my gallery. I am keeping the 254 but might part with the T98 and PTO with enough incentive. There are pictures in my gallery. If I take the transmission off I want to put a T-5 from an S-10 behind this motor and the kit is $450.00 by itself.

 

Chris,

Don't buy the kit yet. I was talking to my neighbor about using the forward part of the bellhousing of the big truck transmission, some people call it a "hogshead" (Yeah, I know they also refer the top of Model A's a hog's head), to mount a newer transmission behind a flat eight. You would have to get a plate, aluminum or steel, about 3/4 thick, I don't know for sure, what you have to do is leave the bell housing mounted to the stamped metal piece behind the engine and insert the newer transmission to see what kind of gap you get. You would have to cut a hole to match the large center hole of the bellhousing into the adapter first. Fit it up, mark the holes from the "hogshead" and then the new transmission, drill and tap and then bolt from both side. I know I made it sound easier than it probably is, you might need some machine work done if you use steel but if you use aluminum I think you could do it at home just as long as you measure accurately. You would also have to play around with the pilot bushing in the flywheel, oh heck, it's probably cheaper, and definately easier to buy the kit but at least it's something to try if you don't want to buy an adapter. It's an idea that's been kicked around on the HAMB a while back.

 

I bought a set of plans off of Ebay from a guy who has done it to a V8 using a truck bell housing. Once I get it I will read through it and decide if it is worth it or not. We have several machine shops around here and I might be able to get it done fairly cheap. Less then $500.00, I figure for $20.00 it will be a good read and education. I will share my thoughts and experience with everyone else here.

 

I am pretty sure the guy you bought the plans from is a member of this forum. I remember he had a post in a recent discussion.

 

i built an adapter like you are talking about. i took a t-98 off of my 254 and used a 1" aluminum plate. the plate bolts to the engine and the tranny bolts to the plate. i used a M5OD from an 89 F250. i used a milling machine to machine the plate. workes very well. tim

 

Tim,

What is the M5OD? I am not up on newer Fords.

I was told by a couple people the transmission from a '87 and up F-150, the three with O/D with a 6 cylinder would work and the shift rod is in about the same location as the stock shifter in a '48-52. Then I was told by couple of other people that those transmissions were junk and they either don't last or the flathead doesn't have enough power and I should use a T-5 from an S-10 or some other GM product. The one problem with that is the shifter is way behind where the stock shifter is and you have to bend the shifter and use bucket seats. I would rather keep it all Ford if possible with as much a stock appearance as possible. One of the F-150 naysayers said he used a four speed out of 3/4 ton or larger truck and that's the way to go. Is this the tranny you used?

 

the M5OD is a Mazda trans that ford uses. it was behind a 6 cyl 300 ford. it had the 20% overdrive that i was looking for. i've had it in a 1951 F5 truck for two years now with good luck now.i like the drivability of the truck much better than with the four speed t-98 that i took out.

 

Do you have details on what the conversion took to do ? I am very interested.

 

i should have taken the adapter plate to a machine shop with a cnc machine and measured it. i could have had a floppy disc with the plan but i wasn't thinking. all the work is in the adp plate. the starter is mounted on the front of the plate. i tried to send you a picture but i can't figure out how to post it tim

 

chris, send me an e-mail and i'll send you a picture if you like. tim

 

I just sent you an email