Having just read the thread about the 215 being available in '53, it makes me wonder If a 215 or better yet a 223 (since I have a good one) would bolt directly to my 4 speed tranny in my '47 2 ton. I have owned and driven many flathead v8s and know the pros and cons. The flattie in the truck is hopelessly stuck. The truck will be used mostly for short trips and moving logs and lumber at my small sawmill operation.Of course I will need to make engine mounts etc, but that kind of stuff I enjoy. All info is welcome. Thanks.

 

The 6's and V8's have different BH patterns. If you could come up with a '52 215's BH I "think" it might work out. Anything later will have the wrong kind of BH and a different clutch system.

 

Thanks. I just talked to a guy selling a 4 speed with parking brake drum, (which I need) from a '59 F350, and it was mated to a 223. So that might be my answer. I think I know of another that was bolted to a Y block in a '60 f350. Would that trans work with the 223? The first one I mentioned is missing some parking brake parts and is farther away......

 

I assumed you already had a 4-sp in the '47. The F350 trans/BH will bolt up to your 223, but it uses a clutch linkage that is totally different, and the BH has "feet" on it for supporting the rear of the engine and the trans. I doubt the trans tailshaft would have a pad for a rear mount. IMO the clutch linkage would take a lot of work, and I don't know what the crossmember situation on a '47 is, but the late-50's engine/trans was designed around a straight shot to the rear axle, no crossmembers in the way.

 

That 215/223 to crashbox bell housing might be difficult to find as it was only used in '52...

 

Not only is the bell housing to bolt a 215 / 223 to the earlier transmission a one year deal, but the front motor mounts are entirely different. You would have to hack your truck quite a bit to get an overhead valve six into your truck.

A much better solution is to find a running H series flathead six. This will bolt into your truck using the 1948 to 1951 six cylinder truck bell housing.

 

An 8BA/8RT would require almost nothing... truly a bolt-in. You know you want it