| ibshane | -- 11-16-2017 @ 7:41 PM |
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I am wanting to get my '37 Touring Sedan a little higher hiway speeds without taching out my Flathead. From the research I've done it soundslike my best options are to either swap out my OEM tranny for something like a T5..., or have my rearend gearing changed to somewhere in the neighborhood of 3:25 Ratio. Also.., are the original Banjo differentials a good enough unit to merritt rebuilding..., or should I think about retrofitting a modern differential? I would like to keep it as stock as possible.., or at least not change anything that can not be changed back to original! (It will never be turned it into a HotRod while I own it) I just want to make it more roadable.
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| ford38v8 | -- 11-16-2017 @ 7:53 PM |
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Shane, A Ford flathead will not "tach out'. It will develop valve float before any danger of red lining could occur. A 3.25 x 1 ratio is, in my opinion, much too low a ratio for street use. So low, in fact, that you'll need to replace clutches more often, just trying to get across an intersection. 3.78 x 1 is the optimum ratio for multi purpose driving. If you live on the flatlands, no hills to speak of, and anticipate high speed highway driving, then you may consider a 3.54 x 1 ratio. Both these ratios are readily available without going to a "new" set from Speedway. First, though, you nee3d to discover the ratio you are running now, as you may very well have the gears you would choose anyway. If not 3.78, you may have 4.11, which is good for fast off the line, but not so good on the highway. Oh, and yes, the Ford banjo is a good choice to rebuild. Alan This message was edited by ford38v8 on 11-16-17 @ 7:54 PM
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| MG | -- 11-16-2017 @ 9:40 PM |
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ford38v8 - I'm sure you meant to say > "A 3.25 x 1 ratio is, in my opinion, much too HIGH a ratio for street use.".... This message was edited by MG on 11-17-17 @ 1:04 PM
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| CharlieStephens | -- 11-16-2017 @ 9:58 PM |
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Another choice might be a Mitch*ll Overdrive, http://mitch*lloverdrivemfg.com Research them in the archives, here, fordbarn.com and HAMB (https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/). If your existing rear end is a low ratio that might be good to use with the overdrive. The censor is getting to my email address. Replace "*" with "e" and go to that site. Charlie Stephens This message was edited by CharlieStephens on 11-16-17 @ 10:09 PM
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| ibshane | -- 11-17-2017 @ 4:43 AM |
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All great info. Thanks guys!!
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| voced | -- 11-17-2017 @ 6:09 AM |
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Shane: I understand where you are coming from. I had the same concern and was advised to put in the 3:78 gears, however after going through all that it still didn't feel right on the highway. I wish at the time that I would have put in the 3:52 gears. But instead I installed a Columbia 2 speed rear end. What a great difference that made. It makes my little 35 pickup with all original engine fly with ease. Now the issue is stopping, so I have to make sure there is plenty of room in front of me on the highway. I live in all flat driving in Indiana. Jerry
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| deluxe40 | -- 11-17-2017 @ 10:24 AM |
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I have three Fords that I drive at least once per month. Each drive is at least 20 miles with only small hills and involves backing out of my barn up a steep hill. All have stock flathead engines. 1) The best setup is the '40 which has a 4.11 ratio and a Columbia. The Columbia provides a 2.97 ratio in overdrive and will happily run faster than I care to drive. I have been driving it for more than 40 years all over the western U.S. with no problems from the Columbia. 2) The second best setup is the 3.25 ratio in a '41 Sedan Delivery. It's a little sluggish off the line and I have worn out one Chinese clutch in the ten years I have been driving it. Also, I have to choose between slipping the clutch and going too fast while backing out of the barn. The rear tires are radials that are slightly smaller than stock. The '41 likes to run about 62 mph on the highway. 3) The third setup is a '32 with 3.54 gears. It's fine around town and I don't care to drive in more than 55 mph, where it's happy. I have been driving the '32 for 20 years.
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| MG | -- 11-17-2017 @ 1:11 PM |
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I replaced the 4:11 rear end in my '34 Sedan with 3:54's and now wish I would have selected 3:78's instead. As ford38v8 said above > "3.78 x 1 is the optimum ratio for multi purpose driving."....
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| len47merc | -- 11-17-2017 @ 2:45 PM |
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I will weigh in and agree with Alan's reply and add to his comments with the following two paragraphs for use our V8's with overdrive or not: 1st - 3.54 is perfect for ALL flat-land driving ONLY. 3.78 (which is what I have) is ideal for flat-land, rolling hills, foothills and moderate mountain driving. 3.78 will get you up Pike's Peak in 1st gear but is not ideal for only mountainous terrain. Install an OD with either of these and on intermittent hilly terrain you will be kicking it in and out of OD to the point of annoyance. 2nd - who in their right mind wants to drive a STOCK EFV8 above 55-60 mph anyway? My 3.78 with 710 Firestones turns ~2,500 rpm at 60 mph actual per GPS which is right in the middle of the torque curve for a 59AB. Installing a 30% OD will reduce RPMS to ~1,800 which is outside of the torque curve - it will work on flat land but upon realizing the first modest incline it'll be time to kick it out. I've driven it at higher speeds just to see what it would do and believe me, any even minor emergency maneuver required above those speeds will not end well for any STOCK vehicle with STOCK suspension components. Steve
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| JayChicago | -- 11-18-2017 @ 1:05 PM |
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When I first got my 1940 last year, I was a little disappointed that it didn't come with an Columbia unit so I could keep up with highway traffic. Researching what it would take to add one, I came across a post from Mike Kubes that went something like this: "I can imagine driving these cars at 70-80 MPH. But I can't imagine being able to stop or steer them safely in an emergency at that speed." That changed my outlook. Now I happily drive the Interstate in the right lane at 55 MPH, enjoying the stares and smiles and thumbs-up from passing vehicles. Each trip takes a little longer to get there.....I get to spend a little more time doing what I love to do, driving my old car.
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| 40topless | -- 11-20-2017 @ 6:55 AM |
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My 40 I just rebuilt a rearend. Using 3:54 gears. It had 3:78 in it. Now it goes down the road with ease.. we have another 40 with 3:54 in it also. No problem keeping up with traffic at 60 or 65. Also the speedo gear has 18 teeth on it for the 3:54 ratio. Happy cruising...
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| 1936TWC | -- 12-07-2017 @ 12:24 PM |
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Great discussion. Has anyone installed a T5 transmission in a Early Ford? Stock pedal and linkage? I would appreciate any feedback. Marty
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| carcrazy | -- 12-07-2017 @ 8:41 PM |
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I am installing a T5 behind a '37 V8 60 that is going into a Crosley. The bellhousing adapter and hydraulic clutch set up came from Cornhusker. The 9" Ford type clutch disc with hub to accept the 14 spline T5 input shaft came from Speedway. The open driveshaft is a cutdown Mustang II unit with a front yoke from The Gearbox. The rear axle is an 8" Mustang II unit with 3.0 open differential that has been cutdown to provide a 40" tread. Rear axle will be located by a parallel 4-bar setup with coilover shocks and a Panhard rod for lateral location.
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| 1936TWC | -- 12-11-2017 @ 11:55 AM |
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Car crazy; thanks for the reply. I am considering installing a T5 in a 1934 Ford and wondering about; 1. Use of original pedals and linkage 2. Transmission mounting Was hydraulic clutch setup a choice or had to?
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| carcrazy | -- 12-11-2017 @ 5:06 PM |
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I had planned on using a hydraulic clutch on this installation. I purchased it in a package deal from Cornhusker as he was reluctant to sell me just an adapter bellhousing by itself. The Offenhauser bellhousings that Speedway offered had a defect that my machinist rejected. The one from Cornhusker was machined correctly and was acceptable to the shop.
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