I have a 40 2 door with a 53 engine and trans. it has the steel flywheel cover. I have been reading about converting it to an Chevy S10 5 speed trans. but I'm not really sure as to why I need an adapter plate to mount the transmission. I was looking at the mounting pattern on the 53 and an 85 S10 and they look similar. My question is why do you have to have an adapter plate or completely new bell housing to use it? Does anyone make the adapter plate to space the S10 trans to the 53's stock steel bell-housing?Any help is appreciated to find the easiest and cheapest way to do it. Retired and limited income as to why cheapest! Thanks, Rick (now living in Delaware).
Back years ago guys used to drill bellhousings to bolt a Ford trans to a Chevy bellhousing when they swapped the small blocks into 51 or later Fords. I've got a Ford stamped steel bellhousing that I can set my 88 S-10 T-5 on in the morning (if I remember to) and take a couple of photos to show what it would look like.
It is from a 53 sedan and it's steel. That's why I wanted to use it and just put and adapter between it and the S10 T5
I'd have to think that his looks just like this one that I have. Completely blew it yesterday and forgot to go match the T-5 up to it.
JFYI, Ford cars used that steel full bell only from '49-'51. The '52-'53 was cast iron. The narrow B/W 4 bolt transmission pattern was used starting in '49 through '53 on Fords. (up to '64) Make sure you use the matching/unique angled starter plate with those steel bells, or you will have starter issues.
This is the setup that was in the car when I got it. No starter problems and I was told the motor was a 53?
that is the late flathead passenger car bellhousing. they came as a stamped steel or cast unit. the pickup truck was a different (somewhat ring-shaped) arrangement that bolts to the block and uses an old-style transmission. that is the bellhousing you want. get one on ebay, swap meet or wherever. i don't think any commercial kits include it. the adaptor that adapts to it is available from many sources. speedway motors has them in the "garage sale" section (display and returned items) at a discount. you'll need other parts to make the whole thing work. a good source is "the ultimate t-5 swap article," which you can google. good luck!
The '49-'51 8BA heads match your '49-'51 bell housing. There may be a date code located on the rear intake surface of the block, but that's moot because the block may have been changed over the years. The '48-'53 truck/'49-'53 car blocks are all basically the same. There is a 1" adapter available that bolts a Mustang T-5 directly to any '49-'53 Ford/'51-'53 Mercury 4-bolt bell housing. The S-10 tail housing can be swapped to the Mustang gear case, moving the shifter forward, if needed.
You have to use the truck bellhousing to run that piece. Here on my 8 BA you can see the truck bellhousing hogshead that has the clutch fork in it and an adapter plate that they bolted to a "Ford 4 speed" in a Jeep station wagon. I honestly don't know exactly what the bolt pattern on the adapter is or what the trans was because I got the engine because the trans was blown up.
I have one of those steel bell housings out back somewhere. Took it off a 6 cylinder in a 52 Customline I parted out in the early 70's. Haven't seen it in 25 or 30 years, but I know it's there, ha,ha.
Modern Driveline sells the adapter below that bolts the T-5 to your narrow pattern bell. It's similar to the one I use on my '32 that came from MCF many years ago. T-5 to Narrow pattern Ford, 260/289,early BBF T-5 Adapter plate for Ford early four speed " 6" narrow" bolt pattern. Includes mounting hardware. Note: T5 means T5 from a "V8" car, not from a 4 cyl Stock# MD-401-2101 Used on bell housing casting# #C3AA-6394-C This is my adapter with the '51 Merc bell I'm using for a Mustang T-5.
that seems like a better alternative to the s-10--i think the mustang trans has better ratios. only drawback could be shifter placement...
Just keep in mind that the engine's torque curve, the transmission gear ratios, the rear end gear, the tire size, and the weight of the vehicle all need to work together.
Well It has a 3.73 open rear and the only reason I didn't want the Ford T5 was the shifter location being too fat back or so I have read. That is why I am trying to find out what really works best and at the lowest cost. Retired Vietnam vet doesn't make very much.
Give Cornhuskers a call. I just ordered a complete kit for my truck. They have everything you need and can tell you where to get it. Very nice people.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/GM-Manual-Trans-to-1949-64-Ford-Bellhousing-Adapter,20628.html Don't stare at the picture too hard. It is the wrong one. The picture is of the adapter that goes the other way, but the link is correct.
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