I recently acquired a very good running '60 401 Nailhead. it was in an OT vehicle with a 3 speed Ford manual trans behind it. I do NOT want to try to fit the clutch linkage into the '40 Ford coupe this will be going into... So,.. I would like to sell all this clutch stuff that fit the back of the Nailhead and adapted it to the Ford 3 speed trans and put an automatic trans behind the 401 before I put it all in the '40. Question therefore is, what auto transmissions, flex plates and converters will fit the engine... and are there adapter plates commercially made to match a turbo 350 to the 401? I am going to complete the making of my memory of the car that got me into hot rods way back in early 60's by putting this engine/trans combo in my '40 and removing the monster chevy Big Block.
Put a 65-66 SP400 (from a Nailhead) behind the old nailhead. Just needs a simple crankshaft bung that is about $40 on Hebay. Here is a 400 transmission that will fit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Buick-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
X2 on the suggestion to go with a nailhead pattern T400, and the crank adapter for the torque converter nose. The switch pitch is nice, but a std single stall speed trans will work fine. 64-66 nailhead used the T400 or in Buick lingo the ST400 (Super Turbine) or the SP400
Just keep in mind you'll need a 64-66 ST400. The nailhead doesn't have the BOP bell housing bolt pattern.
Thanks guys, I have learned a few things today. This motor is a 1959, 401 engine according to the casting number and the code on front of the engine. I find that the adapters from Bendtsen are pretty specific according to the year models with the grouping of '59-'60 being separate from most, and, of course I have the engine that the adapters cost almost 3 times as much as all the rest. LOL I am now on the trail of a switch-pitch. about half of the cost of the adapters.
As things go it SEEMS to be working out.. but I always find a snake lurking in the woodpile,... So... I bought a turbo 400 off a (I believe)64 Buick today, (it has the little 2 prong electric switch, lower drivers side, which I am hoping means a switch pitch) was given a standard torque converter along with it. Nice, but I noticed this evening that there is no flex plate and the flex plate I see for the Buick transmission has no starter ring gear.. new question emerges.... what do I need to make this work? Thanks for all the thoughts so far...
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