Not sure about help with the Olds/Muncie hook up but such a project should be shared. How much more HAMB friendly can you get? And at 84 years! Bravo! How about a load of pics of this baby? Inside, outside and all about.
I'm only 81 so he might not value a young punks advice but he could check out a Mcleod hydraulic throw out bearing as it uses flexible lines that can be routed through the bell housing in various places. 1960-62 Chevy trucks used a throw out arm on the passenger side of the bell housing so with him being a machinist this might give him some ideas. My first rod was a 34 Ford 5w with a 303 Olds engine that I couldn't afford the starter change over so drove it two years with no starter. It was my only way to school and work but I lived where one was never far from a hill or good slope so no problem.
I've done several SBC manual trans in early Fords including a '40 coupe with stock pedals. I moved the clutch fork and pivot to the pass. side and used a hyd. slave cylinder. If he adapted a SBC bell housing to the Olds engine it should be an easy job for him.
When I had the Olds. in the 37 Ford I used a throwout fork from a 1950 GMC 3/4 ton truck it was cast steel . Still using it with my Caddy To Muncie set up.
Is the 215 Olds motor in the roadster a stock one, or does it have some goodies in it? I see it still has the stock air cleaner cover that totally covers the carb and seals to the intake.
If it were me I would stack adapters An early olds steel ring to early ford trans then get a GM trans to early ford flathead adaptor that uses the ford throw out bearing /arm and use stock pedals
That was a clever way to adapt the 4 spd to a 394. If there's an issue with the trans being too far away from the crank or too close, I would opt for Thirtytwo's suggestion above (I'm doing what he said with mine) But if everything bolts up fine and fits the clutch and pilot bearing then check with the hydraulic throwout bearing suppliers for a recommendation based on how much room you have left in there for a throwout bearing. They are way easier than mechanical linkage.
You have a adapter for a hydramatic you could not get a throwout arm in there . Try a hyd. throwout bearing.
Here is what you need: The King Company Bell, 49-64 olds to chevy 4 speed. They sell on eBay, search for 1950 Olds $500. I am thinking of getting one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-OLDSMO...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
Hats off to an octogenarian who is starting another build, and with a 4-speed to boot! Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
I'm pretty sure that an adapter actually exists. I've seen it and I'm going to call the man I know that has it right now for you...
Tom King (KINGSHIFTER) here on the HAMB makes that bellhousing. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks all I am aware that Tom King makes this unit but was curious what the feedback is from anyone who has his setup and is using it ?
Great pics of a cool project. 30 years ago I put a top loader Ford 4 speed in my 57 Olds using an Offy bellhousing which I think is still available, a rare 57 flywheel and an 11 inch Long type clutch with home built slave cylinder mount. 20 years ago I changed to a t-56 6 speed with a big block chevy pressure plate and another rebuild of the slave mount and new pedals. The, slave cylinder gets hot because its too close to the exhaust so maybe my dot 5 fluid boils. And I am older now and want a lighter clutch. So I am going to a hydraulic throwout bearing and a stock pressure clutch. I haven't been able to find any specs but 3200 lbs isn't needed. What weight clutch is stock for a half ton pickup? Do I want a Long type or a diaphram. Any suggestions are welcome. I live in Kansas City and would love to find the right counter advice live within a few hundred miles. Pat
Got no tech help , but years ago a guy i knew built a 40 truck with a J2 & 4speed. First ride was scary as the brakes failed & we stopped by shut'n er down in 2nd gear. That thing was FAST...... v8flat44
He is obviously a pretty crafty guy and seems to be very mechanically capable. I only wonder if that cable will hold up since there are fairly high forces working through it
The Jalopy Journal
