transmission swaps

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All

Robert's point is a very valid option Hydraulic slave cylinder will work. And if a different engine and bell housing may be the only practical solution.

I would love to see how they handled the widespread conversion of Chevys to Ford engines in North Africa that is mentioned in one of Bill Greggs book.

Now back to Chevys bell housing conversion time involved is at most 4-6 hours will be one of the major savings over conversion to hydraulic. The tools necessary to covert a Chevy bell housing from right side to left side are relatively simple and are as follows and.

Tools
1. Measurement bolts with heads cut off and spun in lathe or drill press to mark the center of the bolt end these are then threaded through the mounting holes on the bell housing measure with a compass to transfer the location to the new housing.
2. Drill hand or drill press
3. Drill Tap of the correct size and thread for the ball stud
4. 3” masking tape to locate the left side fork port and mirror to the right side confirm corners by basic measurements.
5. Air cut off saw to cut between the holes of the lever port – alternate to drill series of small holes to insert saw blade (slower but works)

One other point if at all possible replace the clip spring in the fork that hold it on the ball stud, these are available from many antique Chevy parts houses. These springs get tired after 60 years. When the springs are tired they tend to allow the fork to pop of the ball stud, particularly while you are adjusting the linkage.


Cheers Phil

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi All

Robert's point is a very valid option Hydraulic slave cylinder will work. And if a different engine and bell housing may be the only practical solution.

I would love to see how they handled the widespread conversion of Chevys to Ford engines in North Africa that is mentioned in one of Bill Greggs book.

Cheers Phil

Believe it or not, Ford actually distributed a conversion kit! It involved a stamped steel front mounting that replicated the Chev mount, and an adapter on the Ford integral bellhousing that mated to the chev gearbox, eliminating the Chev bellhousing and clutch arrangement. The early ones were cast steel (rarities these days), but were later popularly copied in alloy by Offenhauser, Cragar and others. I think more people should put Ford Flatheads in Chevs, it would make the world a nicer sounding place. Unfortunately, the trend these days is to replace the Ol' Flatmotor with crate GM 350, for which adapters are widely available.

[Lynn Eades]

Does this prove the Ford is better?
Mostly I wondered if the Bedford bellhousing is the same as the Chev one. Has anyone been down that track?

[Yeo.NT]

This should be posted with the Funnies but I'll make the stab at the Ford boys here

Q. What goes on pages 4-5 of the Ford's user's manual?
A. The train & bus schedule.

Q. What do you call a Ford at the top of a Hill?
A. A Miracle.

Q. What do you call two Fords at the top of a hill?
A. A mirage.

FORD ACCRONYMS

First On Rubbish Dump

Fix Or Repair Daily

Fixed On Race Day

Factory Ordered Road Disasters

Found On Roadside Dead

Flip Over Read Directions

Ford Owners Recommend Daywoo

Fast Only Rolling Downhill

Ford Owner Really Dumb

For Only Retarded Drivers

Freaking Only Runs Downhill

Failure On Research & Development

Found On Road Deserted

Forget Out Running Danie

F.cked On Race Day

Four Old Rusted Doors

Freaking Old Rusted Datsin

"Backwards" - Don't Ride Over Fifty

"Backwards" - Driver Returns On Foot

"Backwards" - Dumb Retards Own Fords

"Backwards" - Dorks Ride On Fords