Speedway Flathead to C4 Adapter

[DrDano]

2 weeks go I finally got my '51 Ford out for its first maiden voyage with the new 8BA flathead in it, the motor runs like a dream! But, the transmission seems to be throwing some serious fits. I believe the tranny rebuilder that did the work on this one was snorting fluid or something...only 2 gears...Low and Park...in different places. Anyways, the issue I first want to get some opinions on is the adapter from the flathead to the trans.

The adapter that I have going to the C4 is kind of a hack together prototype that a guy built for me, and it sounds horrible! There is a constant high pitched howl you get from the mini starter that I really dont care for and it seems to not fit well at all. During the first initial startup the adapter seems to drag the starter for a few seconds instead of allowing it to disengage....no good.

Anywho, my question is this: Has anyone used the adapter that Speedway sells? I'm talking just the basic hardware kit(adapter plate, flexplate and starter nose cone), because I have the converter, a stock 302 starter and all the other stuff that I would need. I have heard good things about the Flat-O adapter, but its nearly $200 more than the kit from Speedway. Would really appriciate some opinions on this kit, as I really dont want to swap in another adapter for a third time.

Thanks!

[Digger_Dave]

51, I have used both the Speedway adaptor and the Flat-O-Matic adaptors.

The Speedway adaptor retains the stock C4 trans bell housing. Which in my case meant some considerable modifications of the floor boards. (41 pickup) It also uses the late model starter which needs a lot of grinding on the block for clearance. Speedway does NOT supply a converter. Flat-O-Matic does; which they have modified to suit the stall speed of a flathead.

Speedway's adaptor can ONLY be used with later style bell housing engines, (no bell housing extention) Flat-O-Matic can be used on ALL flatheads. (32 - 54)

Flat-O-Matic sends a neat aluminum bell housing that replaces the original C4 housing, AND their kit allows you to use a stock (year) starter. (no grinding) The bell housing is much smaller and will actually fit in the same space as an early Ford (Merc) standard transmission.

Yes, a bit more expensive for the Flat-O, but I have now used two of them, and I wouldn't use anything else.

[DrDano]

Thanks for the comment. Did you have any time actually driving with the two different adapters? If so, which one seemed to work better over time? I only want to do this one more time and be done with it.

[KIRK!]

I used one in my Model A sedan. I never had any troubles with it and put lots of miles on it. It's still in there and the next owner drives tons too.

[DrDano]

Billet - You had a Flat-O or the speedway kit?

[34Fordtk]

I have the Speedway one on my truck,not many miles on it yet.It does work good,yes you have to grind the block and they dont tell you what starter to use nor that you still have to use the stock trans shim(the one between the block and trans).I have not had any problems with the stall speed as of yet.Over all I am satisfied with it.

[KIRK!]

Speedway.

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the comment. Did you have any time actually driving with the two different adapters? If so, which one seemed to work better over time? I only want to do this one more time and be done with it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I used the Speedway adaptor first. Because the bell housing kept "rattling" on the floor boards, and the fact that I didn't clearance the starter to block enough, (that threw the starter out of alignment and caused damage to the ring gear) I went looking for a different adaptor. The first Flat-O-Matic adaptor I used is now in a second car (after I put about 16,000 miles on it) and is been driven to a number of rod runs without problems. (over 8,000 miles)

The second Flat-O is in my model A and has only been used for a short time, but so far, so good.

It was mentioned above about the need to "shim?" the Flat-O. If the adaptor is used with an early block (pre '49) the provided bell housing just bolts up to the block. Speedway's kit can't be used with early engines. Later engines (post '49) that have the detachable bell housing need the ring to be retained and the stock starter plate with it.

[DrDano]

Dave, so many miles on that adapter is very impressive. That is exactly what I needed to know. I'm also thinking that perhaps the Flat-O might be the way to do it because the trans sits not 1/2" under my floorboards and its a real bitch to get to all the bolts holding everything in. Thanks a bunch for the info.

[LabRat]

Could anyone tell me how thick the speedway engine plate and adaptor are ...

[George/Maine]

The speedway adaptor kit works well,should have no starter problem,but make sure it does,nt hit block or pan, grinding is a must .Need 12 volts for the starter and new nose for starter.
Flatomatic is for all years 1932 to 1953 it works well, but has starter problems with the 49 to 53 engine,they have a mini starter and alum starter plate and the starter drives from front of engine.If you don,t have kick down it will shift realy quick but does go into high gear,i shift mine by hand with Lockar shifter,works good never mis a shift.

[customrod48]

I got the speedway kit in my '50 Ford. It would have been nice to know about the need for a shim BEFORE my first attempt at installing.......after that, had no problems, actually did not need to grind much off block, and the starter works great...with the nose cone furnished by Speedway. Got 6 years and several thousand miles on car since done., with no problems.