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Technical 8ba + 37 Trans. HELP!!

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Retson the Racer, Sep 3, 2021.

  1. I'm picking up an 8ba with a Borg Warner 3 -Speed with O/D. (For Sale)
    I currently have a 37 Trans (18-3824609), but have no clue what I need.

    What is needed to adapt both the 8ba to run with the 37 trans?
    65204721536__C3AB19B1-F6F3-4798-9AA3-71D885325CF2.jpeg 65213754015__DBEC8D28-F922-447A-B544-61A5E3D2F60C.jpeg 65214491233__681BF7E0-F2B4-4BF8-9378-CB68A25F9E91.jpeg
     
  2. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,309

    dwollam
    Member

    Need Mercury or pickup 8BA bell housing.

    Dave
     
  3. Besides the Truck bell housing, do I need any other starter or flex plates or anything?
     
  4. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Make sure you get the corresponding starter plate too.
     
    stillrunners likes this.

  5. 8ba truck starter plate?
     
  6. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,904

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You need the starter plate that goes with the bellhousing as they are not interchangeable. Do not purchase the bellhousing without the matching starter plate unless it is SUPER CHEAP, as you will then spend the rest of your life and fortune trying to find the matching plate:p. The Mercury bellhousings are stamped steel while the truck units are cast iron. I believe that the truck units will accommodate 11" clutches while the Mercury units will not. Unless you are building a large truck, you do not even want an 11" clutch, as they are very hard on the leg. I prefer the Mercury units, as I think the cast iron bells look a little too "agricultural". You will also need a Mercury 10" pressure plate and an early clutch disc. I think you may also need to re-drill an 8BA flywheel for the Merc clutch. I'm not sure though as I was lucky enough to find Mercury engines when I did this.

    I see you are in California, so I think finding what you need out there shouldn't be too difficult. If worse comes to worse, I have both Mercury and Ford truck bells with matching starter plates that I would part with as I realize that the phantom project I was going to use them for will never materialize.
     
    joel, kidcampbell71 and Budget36 like this.
  7. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,137

    Budget36
    Member

    You might like that OD you have;)

    What are you putting the FH in?
     
    clem likes this.
  8. Might have to pass then. Is there a top loader that is a direct fit?
     
  9. Trying to ditch it for a toploader! So if you know anyone, let me know!

    The 8ba is going into this, looking to keep it as stock as possible minus the flathead, juice brakes, and 32 wheels. 65232167901__E14EFC88-9AB9-4964-8C6C-A0943E6DA666.jpeg
     
  10. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    careful...
    isn't the flat 6 bell stamped steel but about an inch deeper ? ...
     
  11. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,137

    Budget36
    Member

    Looks like you have an adapter for a better transmission there. I’d guess you’d need to go open drive though? (Using what you have or finding one w/o OD).
    But you probably don’t want to get into an open drive set up I’m guessing?
     
  12. I'm not sure. It's on the back of an 8BA
     
  13. The transmission is I believe a 49-53 passenger with a borg warner R10. Ideally I'd like to be closed drive, as it will back up to a Model A Torque tube.
     
  14. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,137

    Budget36
    Member

    If I were younger and ambitious I’d switch to open drive:)
    I’ll check in a week or so with a fella I know locally that might have what you need, but I’d probably take Tubman up on what he has, as #1 he knows what does work together, #2 he has it and is willing to sell it.
     
  15. sloppy jalopies
    Joined: Jun 29, 2015
    Posts: 5,256

    sloppy jalopies
    Member

    only the 3 speed '32 - '48 cars and '32 - '53 pick up trucks will be short enough to "fit"
    the '49 and newer cars and later trannies will be long, and also need an open driveshaft rear, or conversion..
    3.00;1 guts in an early bronco rearend works with the longer, open drive rears...
    matches the rim's bolt pattern and is easy to swap gear sets for friday nite fun...
     
  16. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,137

    Budget36
    Member

    One caveat, ‘42-up pickups will be open drive.
     
  17. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,137

    Budget36
    Member

    I have some drive shaft parts (tranny and front of drive line) if the OP decides to go that route, free for postage.

    Offer is open for anyone.
     
  18. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,698

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

  19. F-ONE
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 3,271

    F-ONE
    Member
    from Alabama

    You need to run a pre-1951 truck ( if you go open drive) or a pre 1942 truck or pre 1940 car if you go closed drive and a top shift. See Mac Van Pelts site....

    What has not been mentioned is the Clutch linkage and pedal arrangement. The Ford Truck 8RT and the Mercury bell housing and starter plate use the Model A/ early Ford V8 clutch pedal arrangement.

    Using a 49 up transmission with the 8BA bell housing means designing a clutch system.

    On a open drive means doing something about the rear wishbone suspension.

    The easy button is....
    8BA with a 8RT or Mercury bell mated to a early v8 closed drive top shift.
     
  20. F-ONE
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 3,271

    F-ONE
    Member
    from Alabama

    ^^^^ I understand the point but it’s not quite true.
    He can use the 8RT/ Mercury bell, a mini bell or hogshead off a heavy duty 4 speed ( I believe these may be reproduced) and a 1963 up Ford F100/F250 3.03 3 speed. This set up is about the same size as the 30s top shifts.
    Off course he will have to convert to open drive if he uses a later transmission.

    He can use a Jeep T 150 top shift top. It’s even possible to adapt a 1939/F truck top shift to the 1960s 3.03.
    If he can find a 63-64 3.03, it’s the same spline as the early Ford Clutch disk. On the 63-64 3.03 he will have to custom make the trans mount as these 2 years have no rear transmission mount.
     
  21. joel
    Joined: Oct 10, 2009
    Posts: 2,463

    joel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I would recommend using the 40-48 gear set in your 37 case, if the case isn't wore out. Take it apart and check the rear of the case where the cluster gear rides. Get Van pelts book. You need the later (39 up) 2/3 shift fork.
     

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