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 When it comes to Flathead...  When it comes to Flathead starter plates, Wilcap utilizes OE items (center)—for their Turbo 350 kit (top), the starter mount is integrated into the machined adapter. H&H offers brand-new, machined aluminum plates (top left), as does QuickTime, though the latter only works with their bellhousings.  The same, but different. Both...  The same, but different. Both transmissions pictured are Tremec TKO 500s; both feature the same internal-rail construction. There are, however, two major differences—the most obvious is the different shifter locations, while the other not-so obvious is the bellhousing patterns (GM on the left; Ford on the right). As mentioned, Wilcap accommodates both; QuickTime only facilitates the Ford pattern.  The same, but different. Both...  The same, but different. Both transmissions pictured are Tremec TKO 500s; both feature the same internal-rail construction. There are, however, two major differences—the most obvious is the different shifter locations, while the other not-so obvious is the bellhousing patterns (GM on the left; Ford on the right). As mentioned, Wilcap accommodates both; QuickTime only facilitates the Ford pattern.  Oh, yeah, there is one more...  Oh, yeah, there is one more difference—the input shaft and its retainer plate are different sizes on each model; the OD of the retainer is wider and the input splines are shallower on the Ford version.  Oh, yeah, there is one more...  Oh, yeah, there is one more difference—the input shaft and its retainer plate are different sizes on each model; the OD of the retainer is wider and the input splines are shallower on the Ford version.  To help facilitate my adaptation...  To help facilitate my adaptation session, Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs supplied me with their new Pivot Plate engine hoist attachment (with accompanying Flathead plate adapter). The Pivot does just what its name suggests—“pivots” to aid in positioning the engine when installing/removing from a vehicle, or in this case, when mating with a transmission.  First order of business: resolve...  First order of business: resolve my clutch issue. When the engine was built, a Ford 10-spline clutch disc was installed; the GM-style TKO has a 26-spline input shaft. Simple enough—just swap discs, right?  The engine had also been “fully”...  The engine had also been “fully” balanced, but fortunately, H&H marked the pressure plate and flywheel—so in essence, it was just a simple swap. The 26-spline disc was obtained from Speedway Motors.  The engine had also been “fully”...  The engine had also been “fully” balanced, but fortunately, H&H marked the pressure plate and flywheel—so in essence, it was just a simple swap. The 26-spline disc was obtained from Speedway Motors.  Now, with the clutch all sorted...  Now, with the clutch all sorted out, I wanted to do a dry run to ensure that the input shaft not only meshed with the clutch disc, but that its snout fit inside the pilot bearing. All systems were a go from here.  Unsure whether or not the...  Unsure whether or not the input shaft protruded too far, I took a couple quick measurements just to verify. Again, another green light.  Unsure whether or not the...  Unsure whether or not the input shaft protruded too far, I took a couple quick measurements just to verify. Again, another green light.  One last round of test-fits—this...  One last round of test-fits—this time, with the Wilcap BH 59A-350 adapter on both the transmission and the OE cast-iron (8BA truck/Merc style) Ford bellhousing. Wilcap suggests that bellhousing and adapter be installed onto the engine first followed by the trans.
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