Technical Volvo M40 Transmission Conversion in Model A

Just curious, torque tube or open drive?

 

Kev - photos on your car at Pendine would be great! Wish I could go one day.

Here is a film from Dust Bowl Blues dirt track race last weekend. You will notice the quick shifting between 2nd and 3rd to have the extra gear (3rd) made all the difference. We drove it hard and the conversion worked perfectly!

 

Open,

 

mine is an open drive to a 40 rear axle with a hot rod works open drive conversion. sadly the car wasn`t running for Pendine so I was only spectating but a great time was had by all ! it will hit the road soon.

kev

 

This is how I solved the torque tube issue.
I made a adapter in the rear and a new output shaft

 

My plan as well (after 1st of sept! #HouseWorkBeforeHotRods)... How did you make it? Did you get it to fit the stock torque tube length?

 

I fabricated a new output shaft with the model a ford splines and the rear adapter is made so I can use the stock length on the torque tube.
I have used a model AA bellhouse to get the right length.
I also made a adapter in the front to fit the Volvo bearing to the flywheel assembly just like Marcus did.

 

How did you fab the output shaft? That's my biggerst concern in my project! Not sure, if I can cut the stock M40 output shaft to Ford teeth, without loosing strength of the teeth - and with the voilence, I'm going to give it, a shrink fit bushing-solutions is my very last way out of this problem, as I'm sure, it'll not last very long...
I wanted to/will eventually make the rear adapter to accomodate the ball bearing from the M40, as well as a seal around the out shaft... knew it could be done, and still keep the stock torque tube!! Hate I got beat to it, but #HouseWorkBeforeHotRods!

 

I work as an gear technician at the plant were they use to fabricate the m40 gearbox so a fabricated a new output shaft.
It's not easy the mill the ford splines to get the right strength because of the flank angles on the stock splines. You will have to heat treat the splines after milling and you will get distortions so you have to compensate for that

I used the same # of ballbearing in the rear with a seal in it so the oil doesn't leak out.
If you fabricate a adapter in the back of the gearbox you have to add to the calculation for assembly of the gearbox and some screw holes will interfere with the shift axles.

The total length of the gearbox with AA ford bellhouse will be 3 mm longer then a stock model a gearbox but that's the closest you can get so you have maximum strength of the bolts that holds the torque tube

 

Did you only make one out put shaft? And will you be able to make more in the future?
Remaking a new output shaft (on the right tools and with the correct material) was an option, I knew it would eventually come to, but I "only" have acces to normal lathes and mills - so it would take me a very long time to make... Fun time, but if I were able to buy output shafts from you, I'd be able to have it in the car(s...) at the end of the fall, still being able to enjoy it this season!

 

I would be interested in a rear shaft also, if you could be talked into making more. I have thought of doing this numerous times, and probably could in my shop, but being able to buy one would get the project off ''top dead center''.

PLEASE?

Herb

 

Please make more. I'd be very interested in purchasing one as well.
Kevin

 

Interesting reading especially the use of B20 drive trains for European hot rods.
I got dumped on pretty heavy here for considering a B20B in a 52 MGTD as a Resto mod, was told I should not be on this board.
Been loitering ever since.

 

I'll do the same on my project.
Using original '32 frame and a M40 behind a French Flat.
I want to keep the closed drive shaft.
@Rat_Fink can you share your plan to make the rear mount and release bearing adapter ?
Thanks !

 

I just pick up this M40 trans today.
This is the strongest M40, from a 140 b20.
With an Amazon top shifter.

 

To use a M40 and keep the torquetube

 

Nice !

Can you share the plan to make it ?

 

Yeah, especially how you solved the problem with the output shaft!

 

1937-39 Chevy transmission has the same 10 splined mainshaft (output shaft) as early Volvo M40. So you can use an u-joint that is 37-39 Chevy in one end and 28-48 Ford in the other end

 

But what about the length? Doesn't the M40 with your adaptor and U-joint housing require shortening the torque tube?

 

Yes, you have to shorten the torquetube, but I want to use an overdrive.

 

So you are already modifying it - gotcha!

 

And why not use the original flange and half U-joint from the Volvo ?
No room enough ?

 

I don't think it's so easy. Many people have been thinking a lot of how to keep the torquetube when they use the M40 trans.

 

ive got an M40 which is going to connect to a torque tube, this isn't the best pic but the only pic I have just now. The rear output shaft was modified to suit the ford UJ.

 

My plan to put a M40 in a '32 stock frame doesn't work.
This trans is a little bit to long behind a flatty.

 

Giving this one a bump as I'm looking at a M410 swap soon.

 

@Mart Hopefully you'll be covering it in one of your videos.

 

This is so cool!!