Hi I'm in the road in the 59 Edsel. The 55 ford transmission is having overdrive problems. Lots of metal in the oil. Looking for a three speed for a mid 50s ford car. 10 spline 1 inch input shaft. Coarse out put shaft. In Las Vegas now, hope to be in Bakersfield Thursday. Then Santa Cruz Friday and Monterey Saturday. LA on Sunday. If you have anything let me know please. 520 456 6428.
Kind of a long shot, but there's one for $100 in Valencia, not sure if it's correct for your application, but it's only $100 and may have the pieces intact that are disintegrating in your tranny. I guess the key is someone letting you set up for a couple days in their shop and maybe overnighting a kit from Fatsco? This kind of stuff just adds to the fun of a trip, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you. If they are talking about "the Early Ford Store" in San Dimas, that just east of LA too. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/pts/5731996517.html View attachment 3302038
If you are headed north from Bakersfield there are many, many old car junkyards on Hwy. 99. Nothing on I5.
Right, input shaft.. Don't know how far south your headed but G&G Ford Parts in Escondido stocks a lot of parts for 50's manual trans there in CA, also on the ebay there are a couple 3 speeds w/od super cheap in that area (1 in San Clemente, 1 in Escondido), you could probably tell by the pics if they would work. You could also overnight any gears etc from VanPelt Sales in Ohio, if you have a home base. If you get that far south you definitely need to go to Tijuana, get some blankets, drink some worms, have them sew a new interior while you wait, and see some err, umm, "shows". Since LA is such a hot rod mecca, there's a real good chance someone will have one ready to go, hopefully. Good luck.
So, I realize the guy is stupid on the price and it's out of the way, but if things got really tight he might listen to reality pricewise. http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/pts/5731149988.html
I have a 3 speed manual from a 68 I think, I know Im not in the state you specified, but if it can get to you somehow, you can have it for free.
If you're heading north on 99, try Turner's in Fresno. Jerry has at least one each of almost everything ever made.
I put a shout-out on the '52-59 Ford sub forum and linked this thread to it. Hopefully someone can step up and help.
one problem with those trans is that the tailshaft housings are different. for instance, the units in shoeboxes--'49/'50 are the same, '51 fits only that year, and so on. just be sure what you buy is right for your car. i have a '50, and the trans mounts are different between the o.d. and the standard trans, but you only have to rotate the trans mount 180* to go from one to the other.
If your transmission is still "working" rebuild it, probably the best one you will find. No synchro's on first and reverse or the OD and they will flake metal, or worse, after 57 years it probably looks worse than it is. Take a few pic's and some measurements while you have it on the bench then look for a spare. NOS parts are listed on eBay all the time but you will need a Ford part number. The seller rarely knows anything about what she/he is selling. That transmission is easy and fun to rebuild 'clunker' mentioned Van Pelt Sales here is a link. good luck http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/trans-partsprices-pg1.htm
Jim, if you end up near San Pedro, I have a '59 Ford 3 spd/OD sitting in my garage down there. It's yours if you need it.
Jim You probably already know BUT I thought I would mention that there are two different fill plugs and chambers on those O.D. trannys. Oldmics
True, important to fill upon rebuild, but I think after a short while the fluids gravitate between the chambers. When I drain and refill both the early and late models I always have to top off the overdrive chamber, that means it has drained out and shares the same overall level as the transmission is in the work mode.
Jim, If you decide you need it, let me know as soon as possible. I live in NorCal but the trans is at my old house in San Pedro. I have a buddy nearby and a "caretaker", either can get it out for you but I'll need a little time to contact them. No problem.
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