flathead bellhousing help
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
flathead bellhousing help
I recently picked up some parts off a 1953 F-600 dump truck. One of the items was a flathead engine. I plan to put it in Frankie (the driver I am building). I don't want to use the four speed tranny mated to the flathead because of its very low gears. I have a good three speed I want to use instead. The problem is it won't bolt up because the bellhousing is specific to the four speed. Thanks, Henry! 
So, I need a '53 bellhousing for a three speed. Anybody have one holding down the roof of their doghouse or using it as a planter for the Mrs.? This particular bellhousing was unique to '53. '52 and earlier is different. Not sure what, if any, bellhousings from a car might work. I don't have any books with car part numbers. Any flathead gurus care to give their two cents? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
So, I need a '53 bellhousing for a three speed. Anybody have one holding down the roof of their doghouse or using it as a planter for the Mrs.? This particular bellhousing was unique to '53. '52 and earlier is different. Not sure what, if any, bellhousings from a car might work. I don't have any books with car part numbers. Any flathead gurus care to give their two cents? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,110
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
You may have the perfect set up, if it's like the earlier bigger Ford trucks, to install a modern T-5 transmission in your truck. You will have better gears with OD. You need to retain the piece between the flywheel housing and the transmission, sometimes referred to as the "Dog House", or something like that.
You will also need to fabricate or buy an adapter plate to bolt to the new transmission to. Do a search of this site about the T-5. I know there is a member that did just this to his truck unfortunatey, I don't remeber who did it. Also, if you go with a T-5 look for a World Class T-5, they came in Cameros, Firbirds, Thunderbirds and Mustangs. They're build sturdier than the ones in S-10s and Chevetts. They also cost more.
You will also need to fabricate or buy an adapter plate to bolt to the new transmission to. Do a search of this site about the T-5. I know there is a member that did just this to his truck unfortunatey, I don't remeber who did it. Also, if you go with a T-5 look for a World Class T-5, they came in Cameros, Firbirds, Thunderbirds and Mustangs. They're build sturdier than the ones in S-10s and Chevetts. They also cost more.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 227
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From: Bethesda, Maryland
You can also check with a guy in Lexington, NC named Clint Bivens (Clint's Auto Parts). He has dozens of flatheads stored in an old school bus in his back yard. I bought a flathead block from him last year. Telephone is 336-787-4136. Ask for Clint. He'll probably charge around $120 for it, plus shipping.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
Likes: 1,050
From: NM
I'm afraid you'll need the 53-only (53-54 in Canada) F-1 bellhousing with the provisions for the motor mounts (rear mounts) on it. None of the earlier models will have that.
The part referred to is a hogshead.
The part referred to is a hogshead.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
Likes: 3,110
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Ross,
"Hogshead"!! Thanks, I forgot what the heck the part was called even after all the research I have done and I even sold a half dozen of them on yPay.
One more thing, it doesn't seem like anything can be done for cheap
. Good luck on your search.
"Hogshead"!! Thanks, I forgot what the heck the part was called even after all the research I have done and I even sold a half dozen of them on yPay.
One more thing, it doesn't seem like anything can be done for cheap
. Good luck on your search.
Last edited by bobj49f2; May 5, 2006 at 05:50 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Erie, pa
If you do have to swap out he Bellhousing, make sure you get the starter plate along with it. There are several different plates out there and they don't always mix and match.
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Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Central Illinois
Kevin - Not sure this'll help, but I've got a tranny with its bell housing that I'm sure is a three speed (was a column shift) that came out of my 53 MH F-250 donor. The linkage must have busted so they jury rigged a floor shift set up. You can have the thing if it helps you. I've got the column too for that matter. And I'm probably closer to you than anybody. I don't know for sure whether the donor was an 8 or a 6 though, but I think it was a 6 based on what was left of its motor mounts. He's some pics if you can make any sense of it. Let me know. Stu
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
Likes: 1,050
From: NM
Man, I'll bet he could do some real speed-shifting with that set-up!!
I wonder how many times they hit reverse instead of 2nd???
Seriously, that looks like a V8 pattern but I don't know exactly what the 6's looked like. It does have the mounts you'll need. I didn't realize the 53-56's didn't use the same type of clutch release fork and linkage that 48-52's did, that is really different. It looks like a Chevy setup.
I wonder how many times they hit reverse instead of 2nd???Seriously, that looks like a V8 pattern but I don't know exactly what the 6's looked like. It does have the mounts you'll need. I didn't realize the 53-56's didn't use the same type of clutch release fork and linkage that 48-52's did, that is really different. It looks like a Chevy setup.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
I dont understand the problem unless you are going for an original restoration.
You can use a wide variety of transmissions by fabricating, or modifying, a transmission mount, Ive even used Brand C at times. Then you would have a choice of various car or truck 8BA bell housings from 48-53 and Ford transmissions into the 60's.
You can use a wide variety of transmissions by fabricating, or modifying, a transmission mount, Ive even used Brand C at times. Then you would have a choice of various car or truck 8BA bell housings from 48-53 and Ford transmissions into the 60's.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
Frankie is a daily driver I am attempting to build out of my various parts trucks. If I can find a '53 F-100 flathead bellhousing, I will have a complete drivetrain for it. I already have a light duty three speed tranny, clutch disc, pressure plate and driveshaft. So, this is the easy way out. It has nothing to do with originality. Just trying to make use of parts I already have.
Yes, I could put a newer tranny behind the flathead. From research I've done it would require fabricating/purchasing an adapter plate and crossmember, locating a tranny, custom shift linkage, custom driveshaft, etc. Sounds expensive and time consuming and I am trying to do this as cheaply and efficiently as possible considering I am also building a show truck.
Yes, I could put a newer tranny behind the flathead. From research I've done it would require fabricating/purchasing an adapter plate and crossmember, locating a tranny, custom shift linkage, custom driveshaft, etc. Sounds expensive and time consuming and I am trying to do this as cheaply and efficiently as possible considering I am also building a show truck.
Last edited by Fat Fendered Ford; May 7, 2006 at 12:03 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 39
From: Minnesota
I don't have any books that new but what are the actual gear ratios for the 3 speed and 4 speed? Most of the difference in the 48 - 52 is the granny first and the rest of the gears are close to the same.
1948-52
1948-52
- 3 speed light 4 speed heavy
- 1st 2.78 2nd 3.09
- 2nd 1.62 3rd 1.69
- 3rd 1.0 4th 1.0
Last edited by Christopher2; May 7, 2006 at 07:41 AM.