Thread: Early Ford engine swap

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I want to replace the flathead in my 52 Ford Victoria with a later model small block Ford 302.

I was wondering if I can use the existing 3 speed w/overdrive with a "certain" bellhousing configuration or do I have to swap transmissions as well?

I just figured if I could use the existing trans, it would be less work... Yeah.. Right!!

Please direct me in a direction that would be helpful..

Thanks guys!

Splinter

CHR Geezers Club Guys...

I understand the mentality of big, bigger, best... But I am not making the "swap" of a 302 in the '52 to go burn rubber... My flatty is knocking now and I have a friend that is giving me a 302 but he offed the tranny... I can get a Ford AOD at the local junk yard for a couple hundred bucks... Which is ok, I can do that... but I was merely looking to save a bit of work was all... getting lazy I guess.. I know better tho.. nothing comes easy anymore... I merely wanted the 52 as a "cruiser" not a "hotrod"... But in time I suppose the tranny and rear would take a dump as I guess sometimes after a couple beers with the boys... pedal to the metal would be the course of action... So I may as well go with the AOD.... I don't think I want the added stress of figuring out clutch linkage and all, so would go with the easy install... As for the rear end... I would go with an updated one for sure in time... I am on a limited budget right now and am just looking for "easy street"... Again, I know I got brain damage!! Thanks alot for your help... I have played with several cars lately... I am really into my Harley for some 32 years and have just recently in the last 7 years been into classics... so learning all over again... I'm 54 so been there, done that, and still have this crummy t-shirt...
Thanks again...
Splinter

Streets,

I see you have a ' 23 bucket... I built a ' 23 from the frame up a few years ago... I started with a bare after market frame and welded mounts completely from front to back.. I built the 350 from a "short block" and the 350 trans as well.. I originally built a 400 for it but had a problem with the torque converter fitting up... so I went with the 350.. I built a 7" windshield and added a roll bar.. I did the interior myself with a combo of diamond vinyl and velour... I built the steering column with a quick release steering wheel for easy access... I had large oversized headlights and the rear had a turtle deck with a shortened 9" ford rear with coil over's and 23" Mickey Thompson's. It was painted GMC yellow as well and the kicker was a shift lever that rose above my head when I sat in it... I did the Big Daddy Roth trip to the shifter and got alot of comments on it... haha...

The engine was cammed up, gear drive timing and had originally started with a dual points setup but later changed to the electronic ignition.. I ported and polished the newly bought heads... I had a highrise with dual 650's, and a set of Zommies for exhaust... It was a fun project and took me 10 months to complete... day after day, night after night after work...

I miss that car... but had a blast buiding it... I hope to build another one some day... this time I'll keep it for good... I miss it that much..

Anyway... your ride sparked my reply... have fun and if you ever want to sell her... give me a jingle...

Splinter...

Good talkin too you... yeah these things are fun to play with... right now I am unemployed and soon as I can get back to it.. I suppose I will find a few more projects to play with... need more harley's... and a couple more cars... would like a 49 Olds... fastback... I think it's a 49 or so Stude that has the 3 point nose... (the ugly one)... haha.... And would deffinately like a model A sedan...
Of course I like them all... but I figure, if it has wheels or tits.. it'll give you trouble... and I ain't beyond a challenge!!
See ya.... Splinter

You can use a smallblock ford and use the original trans but you have to use a 64 and earlier 289 with the corresponding bellhousing,those still had the trans bolt pattern as the fifties and unfortunatley have the 5 bolt bellhousings and I dont think they can be installed on a 6 bolt block. If a stock or aftermarket bellhousing could be found with both trans bolt patterns you should be able to use a later motor with your original trans. I am not too familiar with those o/d trans but I think they are similar in design on the o/d trans used up through the early sixties and a stock 302 should not hurt it if it is in good shape now. If you want to keep a o/d trans and column shift,3 speed o/d trans were still available in late sixties trucks and possbly late sixties cars which should be able to hook up to the original column and will bolt up to a mid 65 and up smallblock bellhousing.

Jeff,
Ok so I hear you saying I can use an early 289 antd that will bolt to my 3speed.. Ok..... huh!! Well there are acouple swap meets coming so if this is true all I have to do is find a 289.... hmmmmm this sounds easy enough.... Or would hens teeth be easier to find? haha...

Splinter

You might want to check with the makers of the bellhousings for race cars and see if the one for a smallblock ford has both trans bolt patterns and if it does then you can use the 65 1/2 up smallblock. Mid 65 is when the blocks went from 5 to 6 bolt for the bellhousing,I am not sure when the trans bolt pattern changed but it is probably when the block was changed. Another thing to consider is the later bellhousing might be able to be redrilled for the other bolt pattern,the earlier bolt patern the bolts are closer to the trans case and the later is farther away from the case. Before buying a earlier motor check bellhousings as the earlier trans bolt pattern might have been used later after the block change.

My old man use to have a 5 bolt bell laying around. I'll look around int he next coule of days and see if he's still go tthe sucker. Hopefully so and this will answer a few of these questions..... Really god questions, I'll admit!