flathead trans question

i'm trying to find out if a 55 thunderbird trans w/overdrive will mate in my 50merc (flathead). any ideas? thanks for the help.

 

I'm not sure about a '58 t-bird , but I know the '57 O'drive was a strange toploader. However, the bellhousing bolt patterns in the '50's should all interchange.

 

If not you can stack adapters. A friend did this with a little Dodge hemi to mate it to a 60s full-syncro Ford 3-speed. I believe he ended up using 3.

 

I think that will be the heavy duty T-85 with R-11 OD. Get one of the various '49-53 Ford bellhousings, and be sure to get the starter plate that goes with it. I think that will fit, if not you need it anyway as a start for adapting.

 

thanks for the help but i don't want to get that far ahead with adapting bell housings. all i'm trying to do is put an overdrive to get better gas mileage.

 

is it a trans that was behind a FE motor? if so I think bruce is right on.

if not try using a C-4 with the kit from Speedway

 

NO, not even close with out an adaptor

 

ok i guess the trans is a 55 t-bird not a 58 so is there difference?

 

Ford manual trans flange (small four bolt pattern) I think is same '49--63 or so; Merc '49-early 51 has Early Ford big circle. You just need Ford bellhousing.

 

cool thanks for all your input

 

I don't remember anymore what it was but something on the Ford tranny changed in 57 and was no longer a simple bolt up to 56 and older

 

Try checking this site for more interchange info ...

http://moes-garage.spaces.live.com/...derID=cns!4FC3316B3CBDCA99!3634&_c=PhotoAlbum

 

Digger Dave, Great Link... Lotsa good info there...


Bruce said..."49 -63 is same bolt pattern...."

Great info guys, thanks...