The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 41' bell housing removal - stuck motor

I've acquired a 41 half ton with a stuck 216. My intention is to replace it with a 54' 235. I would like to use the 41 bell with the rear mounts but the motor is stuck so I cant get at the p-plate and flywheel bolts to remove them. I soaked the pistons, removed the pushrods, pulled up the lifters and tried to turn it via a 4' pipe wrench on the harmonic balancer. So should I pull the head or flip it over and start at the crank?

Next question is a Transmission one. It has the 3spd. I know where I can get a 4spd out of a 41' 1/2 ton for little to nothing.
1. Will it bolt right up to the 40 bell housing and torque tube?
2. Are ANY of the 4spds gears synchronized? like 2+3 of the 3spd?
3. Is the whole idea of using the 4spd a moot point? The guy with the 41 feels it would be a better choice.

Thanks for any help

Depending on how stuck the engine is, you may need to pull the crank and flywheel together.
4 speeds did not have synchros until 1948.
I prefer the 3 speed my self.

I pulled a stuck one, get out your u-joints on your socket set, it is a pain, but it can be done.

Ed

Pull the cylinder head, soak the cylinders down with Kroil, and use a long pry bar or a shepherd's crook wrecking bar on the flywheel teeth where they meet the bellhousing. It will move eventually. I have freed up several engines that way.

www.kanolabs.com

Jerry

The 4th gear ratio in the 4-speed trans. is 1:1. The 3-speed 3rd gear ratio is 1:1. There would be no high end advantage. You would have to double clutch with the non-synchronized 4 speed, not the 3 speed. The floorboard may be different too. First gear in the 4-speed isn't referred to as a granny gear for nothing. You could walk faster. If you decide to go the 4-speed route, I'd be interested in your 3-speed trans.

Rick

Well it's off! My future son-in-law was at the house today, he's an engineering student, so I took EdRruss comment to stock. I rounded up some swivel sockets and various odd tools, then set him to task. Kind of nice watching him stuff his hands in there and get dirty! Now let's hope the pieces all work together. I'm sure I'll be looking for more advice. Thanks to all.

I'll be sticking with the 3spd.

Good show! we need more engineers with dirt under their fingernails! Most of 'em couldn't pour "tea" out of a boot- - - - -with printed instructions on the heel!
Jerry

Good to hear you made progress, and perhaps got to know your future son-in-law a little better. Good choice on staying with the 3 speed as I believe the center transmission bearing retainer bore on the 4 speed bell housing is different.

My niece recently married a civil engineer, he is a nice guy. He is not afraid to get greasy or dirty at all and can come up with some pretty darn creative solutions to automotive problems.

He will be a welcome addition to the family. He is ambitious and loves vehicles. In fact he showed up with the 40 pickup one day and asked me if it was worth "messing with". He's busy finishing restoration on a Sunbeam before the wedding. Proposed in a Ford Tri-Motor at the Oshgosh air show while on a road trip vacation in a Fiat Spyder. My wife and I also get to "walk" our dog on the level B roads in a 61 IH scout as long as I'm willing to store it. Not bragging, it's just a happy time for us. Hell the joke is never have all his vehicles ran at the same time!

I had to leave for work and let him finish getting it off, but I noticed today the 54' flywheel is 1/2' larger than the 40'. So I'm wondering about mounting the starter. The 54 motor will have the larger bolts in the flywheel so the 40 flywheel is out, so I may need a "newer" starter? assuming it will have a smaller gear and be able to mount to the 40 bell and mesh with the 54 flywheel. The 54' motor didn't come with a starter so I'm unable to check.

1942-54 flywheels will fit, if you are using a 6 volt starter
1938-54 starters will fit if you are using a 6 volt flywheel.

Hey! I resemble that remark. And I can empty the boot. And if you stand still long enough, I can fill yours. Got that warm feeling running down your leg?

Thanks Pre '68 Dave. I took a closer look at two flywheels and realized they are the same except for the bolt hole size. So I'll use the 54' flywheel, clutch and diaphragm and as long as it fits in the bell I should be good. ?

Sounds good!

There was a transition in the 1940-41 years for the flywheel to crankshaft mounting arrangement. Better check compatibility.

1940-41 are the same and used 3/8" mounting bolts and had a larger center hole.
1942 and later use 7/16" bolts and a smaller center hole.

It all went together fine. I mounted it all up ( without the clutch plate) and it looks good.
Now I'm trying to figure out my 40 starter. looks like I need a new stomp switch.