Hi All,
I am considering putting the 428 Merc engine in my other 57 Ford . It is a factory stick 312 with overdrive 411 with Posi.
My question is how difficult would it be to find a bb bellhousing, engine plate and flywheel for the conversion?
Many Thanks in advance for any info.
The fly wheel, clutch, pressure plate, and bell housing are all readily available. The transmission will bolt up to the bell housing. Not sure that transmission will take any abuse though.....
Actually did that in 1967. You'll need a bell housing from a passenger car (not a truck). Almost any year will work, but it needs to have the narrow bolt pattern (most have that or they have both wide and narrow). The transmission will work but they were inclined to break first gear. I changed to a T-10 back then after completing the swap with the original 3 speed. A better transmission would be a toploader 3 speed from a big early 60's passenger car. It is synchronized in first gear. You will also need a 153 tooth flywheel to keep your starter. You will need the bigger clutch the flywheel takes. I bought all this stuff on eBay in the past few years. I have the transmission but not the other stuff. PM me if you'd like details.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-1962-FORD-BELLHOUSING-GALAXIE-FAIRLANE-FE-352-390-406-427-MERCURY-4848339/164460580442?epid=563377798&hash=item264a9d4e5a:g:cFUAAOSwYQJfj5Ox
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-63-FORD-FE-352-390-427-FLYWHEEL-153-TOOTH/284042570158?hash=item422241a9ae:g:90gAAOSw4Plfg-Ah
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Heavy-Duty-Ford-3-Speed-Manual-Toploader-Transmission/293666982290?hash=item445fea8992:g:SuoAAOSw3j9fH1wf
Not sure about the transmission, just for picture comparison....
A 312 stick car came with a T-85 3sp which was also used in 406 Fords and 413 mopars,
If you don't mind the unsyncro 1st gear it is stronger than the all syncro 3sp.
note for id, the T-85 has a curved bottom side cover.
Good luck,
Ron.