Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

flathead to smallblock

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 09:33 AM
  #1  
Checker's Avatar
Checker
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 3
flathead to smallblock

I have a 1950 Ford F1 with a flathead V8 and looking to change to a smallblock Ford motor. Are there motor mounts out there compatible for the swap ? What type of wiring harness would I need for a 6 to 12volt conversion? Would Mac's have what I need ? Thanks in advance to all.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 10:36 AM
  #2  
Scott M-47's Avatar
Scott M-47
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Checker
I have a 1950 Ford F1 with a flathead V8 and looking to change to a smallblock Ford motor. Are there motor mounts out there compatible for the swap ? What type of wiring harness would I need for a 6 to 12volt conversion? Would Mac's have what I need ? Thanks in advance to all.
keep the flathead
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 10:44 AM
  #3  
bigwin56f100's Avatar
bigwin56f100
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,731
From: AKRON ohio
I’ll buy the flathead
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 05:25 PM
  #4  
bmoran4's Avatar
bmoran4
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,788
From: Western NY
Club FTE Gold Member
I concur, your truck is too nice to throw in a 302... also, why ask a nearly identical question again - I already called dibs on the flathead over there ;-)

I'm not aware of any complete "kit conversions" that will do a 302, 12V etc - usually it takes some ingenuity and fabricating skills. Again, a truck as nice as yours should stay stock. If you want to mangle something, find a beater that needs saving.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 05:28 PM
  #5  
bigwin56f100's Avatar
bigwin56f100
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,731
From: AKRON ohio
Originally Posted by bmoran4
I concur, your truck is too nice for trow in a 302... also, why ask a nearly identical question again - I already called dibs on the flathead over there ;-)
I knew someone already did lol
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 06:02 PM
  #6  
Checker's Avatar
Checker
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 3
haven't been getting much infomation
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 06:08 PM
  #7  
Scott M-47's Avatar
Scott M-47
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bmoran4
I concur, your truck is too nice to throw in a 302... also, why ask a nearly identical question again - I already called dibs on the flathead over there ;-)

I'm not aware of any complete "kit conversions" that will do a 302, 12V etc - usually it takes some ingenuity and fabricating skills. Again, a truck as nice as yours should stay stock. If you want to mangle something, find a beater that needs saving.


couldn’t agree more. I found this 51 Merc M3 and the flathead was gone so I put in a 302 and basically everything else. Keep the flatty if you can!
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 06:22 PM
  #8  
allout5151's Avatar
allout5151
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 250
Likes: 16
From: Vancouver Island, BC
Is there a reason why you want to get rid of the flathead? Only reason I am in the process of putting a 302 in is because my truck came with no drivetrain.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 08:23 PM
  #9  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
There are adapters to connect the 302 / 5.0 to the stock transmissions, keeping the stock clutch linkage. I believe Wilcap makes them. If you don't beat on them, and have a mild engine, the stock trans will work, and the stock rear ends are plenty stout.

To mount the engine, the simplest way is to buy a tubular crossmember that fits between the front frame rails and has provisions for stock SBF motor mounts. Summit, Speedway, lots of places sell these.

There are obviously changes needed to wiring, exhaust, radiator, etc.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 09:00 PM
  #10  
52 Merc's Avatar
52 Merc
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,188
Likes: 4,795
From: Burbank, WA
Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1
There are adapters to connect the 302 / 5.0 to the stock transmissions, keeping the stock clutch linkage. I believe Wilcap makes them. If you don't beat on them, and have a mild engine, the stock trans will work, and the stock rear ends are plenty stout.
I've been looking for some time for a 302 to flathead trans conversion bellhousing that would work in our trucks. Having a later 302 but keeping the 3 on the tree I always thought would be fun. The Wilcap site does not offer one for Ford engines, but they do for about everything else. Offenhauser made one a long time ago, but not now. Chevy engines to flathead trans are everywhere. Today, I found this adapter on ebay. It's a bunch of money, but they all seem to be. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-small-...-/192202633872

 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 10:48 PM
  #11  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Yeah, they are mighty proud of these kits. Here's the one I was thinking of: https://transmissionadapters.com/col...nd-older-trans
Note that and the eBay one are for the pre-8BA trannies, I can't figure what difference that would make. Meanwhile, adapters for the SBC are dime-a-dozen...

Being able to use the stock clutch linkage is a big deal, saves the trouble of hanging pedals, hydraulics or cables, etc.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 10:48 PM
  #12  
EBEAR's Avatar
EBEAR
Logistics Pro
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3,650
Likes: 816
From: Swan River Valley M.B Can
Originally Posted by Checker
haven't been getting much infomation
Yes allot more opinions on what you should do than on help with your question .
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2020 | 02:22 AM
  #13  
bmoran4's Avatar
bmoran4
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,788
From: Western NY
Club FTE Gold Member
You guys are all talking stock transmissions, but Checker has indicated he has a non-factory 5 speed transmission of some sort... And lets not forget that there are potential issues with even fitting a 302 depending upon oil pan sump position and so much more... Non of this is insurmountable given enough time, money, patients and whatnot. We also need to take into account the users expressed mechanical inclination and any tendencies/reluctance to read a diagram or schematic. But to Checker's original ask, there is no off the shelf kit (or small collection of kits) that does everything he is asking with easy as 1-2-3 spoon fed instructions. Additionally, there is nothing wrong with stating the FACT that it is a lot of work when you have a complete very nice roadworthy truck with a flathead.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2020 | 06:23 AM
  #14  
Checker's Avatar
Checker
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 3
There are so many aftermarket parts out there I had hoped there would be a conversion kit that would be out of the box. Many old vehicles are being "upgraded" to modern engines/trans/rearends/etc. My truck is roadworthy and travels down the interstate easily with traffic with the 5 speed and I believe 8.8 rearend. I didn't expect so many opinions on what to do with the truck beyond My question..and I didn't need an evaluation of My mechanical abilities. If the truck is so precious left as stock...anyone here can have it for 18,500. I've been on mopar sites for years and never received the "comments" submitted as here. I'm sorry I posted and will ask the moderators to delete My membership.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2020 | 07:30 AM
  #15  
bigwin56f100's Avatar
bigwin56f100
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,731
From: AKRON ohio
Originally Posted by Checker
There are so many aftermarket parts out there I had hoped there would be a conversion kit that would be out of the box. Many old vehicles are being "upgraded" to modern engines/trans/rearends/etc. My truck is roadworthy and travels down the interstate easily with traffic with the 5 speed and I believe 8.8 rearend. I didn't expect so many opinions on what to do with the truck beyond My question..and I didn't need an evaluation of My mechanical abilities. If the truck is so precious left as stock...anyone here can have it for 18,500. I've been on mopar sites for years and never received the "comments" submitted as here. I'm sorry I posted and will ask the moderators to delete My membership.
Im not here to flame. Just stating facts. No one has answered your questions to your likings. I see you have posted the same question in the y block forum and you posted looking for a shop to do the “kit” swap. Asking for a shop within 300 miles tells me about your mechanic abilities. It’s your truck to do as you please. I will say many times people get in over their heads and the fine people on this site are trying to save you the grief of a failed project. If your skill level requires a shop to do the build you might want to reconsider the direction and enjoy the truck as it currently is

 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:56 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE