Model A Transmission Automatic Adapter Conversion

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Sep 30, 2005 | 10:39 PM

painterman

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Model A Transmission Automatic Adapter Conversion

Did or does anyone make an adapter to install an automatic transmission onto a 1930 Model A engine? Any auto will do but of course Im partial to a C4

My Model A nut dad wants to put a Model A engine in an 63 AMC Rambler or a falcon he has, but I'll only install it with an auto as a shifter would be to time consuming for me. (not to mention he is old, and I cant handle clutches anymore, my leg hurts)
Thanks so much, Frank

Sep 30, 2005 | 11:32 PM

45ford

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Frank:

I don't know of a kit for an auto (of any type) to the Model A engine, although there may be.

The first thing that comes to mind is to first buy an adapter for an Early Ford V-8 to Model A from someone like AC&R (www.partsformodelafords.com) then buy an adapter to put the C-4 onto that adapter from someone like Flat-O, but this is getting expensive now, and I'm pretty sure the torque converter that comes from Flat-O won't work with the Model A crank.

Second thing that comes to mind is that the C-4 is likely to eat up most of 40hp than the stock Model A engine puts out.

However, if you look down this page: http://www.nwvs.org/EventPhotos/2005.../Results.shtml
you'll see that one of these guys has a C-4 adapted to his Rajo T and that it runs quite fast.

Perhaps someone from the Northwest Vintage Speedsters (home page of the above reference) could help.

Mike

Sep 6, 2006 | 03:49 AM

bob s jr

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From: commerce city co

check your law before u put that model a engine in a later car some states wont alow a older engine in a car and may not be able to licence it

Sep 6, 2006 | 10:16 AM

dodgedh2

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The Model A engine will not power an auto trans. Kits are available to install a C4 to a late flathead V8, but even then, you must have a good healthy flathead to power the auto trans.

Sep 6, 2006 | 11:47 PM

45ford

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Actually, a stock 40 hp Model A engine will run fine with an automatic: around town, parades, etc.

However, a large number of Model A's, even those of avid restorers, are hopped to some degree, making the automatice even more viable.

I'm in a club for modified cars powered by Ford 4-bangers, 1928-34. My hopped up engine pushes my cut down Model A to a best of 9.13 secs, 62 mph in (flat) hillclimbs of .10 miles. A fellow club member races a stock bodied 31 A coupe a Bonneville and has a best one-way speed of 111+ mph (it does have a special OHV conversion and dynos at ~240 hp). Several others in the clube have two- or four-door sedans that will cruise all day at 65-70 mph.

Oh: new conversion kit for Ford four-bangers:

Automatics for Ford four-bangers

Mike

Sep 7, 2006 | 06:19 AM

dodgedh2

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A 240+ hp engine w/OHV is a far cry from a 40 hp flathead. The stock Model A engine does not deliver enough hp or vacuum to properly run an automatic trans. If the poster intends to put the work, time and $$ into this vehicle to produce that kind of power, he would be better off starting with the original engine.

Most auto transmissions require approx. 33 hp to just mainain cruising speed, let allow the power required for launch. In addition, the vacuum required to operate the trans. (assuming he isn't going to install electronic shift controls and an on-board computer), just isn't there for the stock Model A engine.

Sep 8, 2006 | 04:13 AM

greenlitebandit

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Stock, the A is sorely challenged to run a modern auto.
Won't do you any good for the project, but there was an automatic epicyclic gear trans conversion for Model As in the early thirties. I've seen an ad for one in one of the old A books, and most of one back about 1960 at Meridian auto parts in Orange Co, CA. There was also a pre-selector conversion for stock Ford stickshifts. I've seen a couple at round-ups over the years. They work sort of like a Wilson, except are completely externally mounted. Those do require you push the clutch pedal though.

I ran a modified iron case GM hydro in a 45 Ford pickup but that was no stock engine. I have seen a fullhouse flathead V8-85 in a falcon ranchero about 30 years ago run Bonneville. I have no idea why.