Hot Rods AUTOMATIC behind a FLATHEAD???

Hey guys,

I have a good running flathead V8 in my 1950 Ford F1. However, due to a prosthesis, having a manual transmission is not a good option. Anyone ever put an automatic behind the flatty? I plan on keeping the stock rearend as well, unless it is necessary to change if I go with an automatic. Any help would truly be appreciated.

Thank you

 

I have no personal experience but know of this company

http://flat-o.com/carproducts/flatomatic.htm

 

A friend has the flat-o-matic setup in a '32 Fordor hot rod, seems to work very well and trouble free!
KK

 

Your truck probably has rear end ratio very close to, or above 4 to 1. That would work for just around town, but a more 'user friendly' ratio would be in the low 3's. Given the parallel leaf suspension, replacing the rear axle assembly is not too difficult.

Ray

 

I have heard they make a flathead "lazy" but have never got to drive or ride in one. Anyone have any feelings or experience on this?

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I ran into a guy in Daytona who had a 51 4 door with a C-4 in it and he loved it.He said it worked great behind his flattie.

 

I also have a 50 f1 flathead with a 200r4 aod, used an adapter and built a pedal mounted linkage for the tv cable....works well

Adapter is a wilcap, uses a ford style starter

 

I have a 59AB flathead with a C4 transmission Used a flat-o-magic kit. Great set up.


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When I was 16 a friends dad had a '53 Ford sedan with a stock automatic. Same basic engine
as yours. I would think it would bolt right up with no adapter needed. Might require reworking
the trans. mount and shortening the driveshaft. Not a big deal to do that.

 

My late father's 51 Monarch had a flattie and auto trans back then .

 

as stated above, gears too low to work well with C4 but, should work with a 200R4

 

Am using a C4 behind the 8BA flathead in my avatar 39 with 3:55 gears in the 8" rearend..........works well with a mild shiftkit in transmission..........likely would be better with a 5 speed, but bride can't drive a standard..........auto trans have come a long ways since early '50's..............also using Flat-o adapter kit including mini-starter..........

 

Local flat head guru (Jim Larsen) runs a 32 Hi Boy sedan. 59ab block. Jim put in a C4 and REALLY likes it!! He does run a quick change, so I'm not sure what gear he prefers.

 

I run a C4 behind 8ba 8 in 279 gear 235 75 15 in tires I couldn't ask for a better combination


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I have a C-4 behind my 8BA. I used the Speedway adaptor. $400 and you have to buy an early 1970's Mustang starter. Nice and easy set up. Using a Lokar Shifter.
My brother did the same thing in his T Bucket. He had a 47 flatty in his. Nice easy setup and driveability.