Topic: tranny forks


Hal    -- 04-10-2012 @ 9:06 AM
  I had a 37-39 trans. installed in my 36 ford. The guy
told me the 36 cover and shifter would'nt fit because
of the shifting forks. Is this true or is he jacking
me around? Help me out Guys,any help is appreciated.
Hal


Stroker    -- 04-10-2012 @ 9:51 AM
  Hal:

He may be right. Check out this link for the straight scoop:
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_transID_3speed-shifter.htm

This message was edited by Stroker on 4-10-12 @ 9:54 AM


kubes40    -- 04-10-2012 @ 10:16 AM
  Hal, 39 was a transition year for the transmission. Some used the earlier (narrower) fork, some the wider fork. The later transmission used the wider fork (amongst other different parts) than the earlier transmission.
Check the Site that Stroker referred you to and you will easily be able to determine just what you have.

This message was edited by kubes40 on 4-10-12 @ 10:16 AM


ford38v8    -- 04-10-2012 @ 6:32 PM
  Mike, I've learned to never say never, but I've never heard of a '39 with a '38 synchromesh. Have there been any documented?

Alan


Hal    -- 04-11-2012 @ 11:16 AM
  Thanks for the input guys. You answered my question,
and I appriciated it
Hal


kubes40    -- 04-11-2012 @ 3:08 PM
  Hey Alan, The 39 wagon I restored last year had a number matching transmission. It had the '38 fork & (small synchro) in it. Car was a 54,000 mile vehicle, history known back to 1970ish. I was by all accounts the first guy to take the transmission out.

I did a '39 coupe a few years ago that had the same thing. That car was also a very low mileage and unaltered, number matching vehicle. It too had the '38 (small) fork and corresponding small synchro.

One thing in common to the aforementioned vehicles is they were both very early production cars. The wagon had numerous '38 items on it.

Mike

This message was edited by kubes40 on 4-12-12 @ 1:21 PM


ford38v8    -- 04-11-2012 @ 10:00 PM
  Mike, curious... were these both Standard units? That would make more sense, wouldn't it?

Alan


kubes40    -- 04-12-2012 @ 5:35 AM
  Deluxe wagon, standard coupe.


fortyfordguy    -- 04-13-2012 @ 3:50 PM
  The replies you've read below are correct...Ford used the 1938 trans gears in a number of 1939 cars and pickup trucks. You would still see the 81A-7222 shifter housing but instead of the 3" wide fork, you would find the smaller '36-38 type fork. Obviously, they used the small fork when matched with the 1937-38 type gears & synchronizer.

It was my opinion (but not founded in any factual evidence) that Ford used the earlier gearsets in many early '39 cars and trucks. I suspect the majority were found in Standard car and pickup trucks, whereas the newer gears and synchronizers were installed in the Ford Deluxe and Mercury vehicles.

You can certainly upgrade from that '38 gearset to the '39-48 type, but you need the 91A-7230 shift fork which is easily swapped into the shift tower. We reproduced that fork, so it is readily available.

Mac VanPelt
www.flatheadv8.com

This message was edited by fortyfordguy on 4-13-12 @ 3:51 PM


ford38v8    -- 04-13-2012 @ 4:21 PM
  Mac, I understand that the '39 - '48 gearsets can be installed in pre - '37 cases, but don't know how far back that is true for. As I understand it, the 78 series cases are less likely to crack under extreme load, and it is for that reason that they are preferred. Can you tell me (us) if the '32 - '34 case accepts these gearsets as well as the '35 - '36, and what are the issues besides durability of the box and shift tower detents and fork width? Can the 81A tower be adapted for use on the earlier boxes? Maybe i just answered my own question!

Alan


kubes40    -- 04-13-2012 @ 6:40 PM
  Alan,
I installed a set of '48 gears in to a '34 box about four years ago. It does require special tools to do this which were fairly easy for me to produce.

The ONLY problem I encountered was the shift lever needed to be "tweaked" as the throw was a bit longer and the stock lever hit the dash.
That modification was straight forward.

The fellow I did this for was thrilled with the results.

Mike Kubarth


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