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Shortest transmission

Discussion in 'The Antiquated' started by willsullivan, Apr 28, 2020.

  1. willsullivan
    Joined: Apr 16, 2016
    Posts: 83

    willsullivan
    Member

    Howdy yall, do any of yall know which transmission is the shortest? The engine its bolting up to is an 8BA flathead v8

    Sent from my SM-G965U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  2. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,609

    manyolcars

    The 6 cylinder 55 chevy transmission is pretty small
     
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  3. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,670

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    imgp0581_32b4cba62424725eec6d5e6228368283ea6eba2c.jpg Full syncro 3 speed out of a mid '60's (?) ford truck with no tail shaft?
     
  4. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 4,353

    rusty valley
    Member

    crosley, they are really small.
     
  5. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,670

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    A shift tower from a Jeep is almost a direct bolt on. Sorry don't have the ****** type right now. With the tower installed the shifter is in almost the same location as a stock trans.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2020
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  6. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,756

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    30s Hudson used a small transmission.
     
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  7. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,670

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Found it. T-150 Jeep trans. IMG_0672.JPG
     
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  8. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

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  9. Phil1934
    Joined: Jun 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,716

    Phil1934
    Member

    mid '60's Ford truck (mount below) and van 3 speed (mount above)[​IMG]
     
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  10. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,670

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Don't have the tape on a SM465 but my guess is that it is shorter. But its a truck 4 speed with a granny low. The OP said he wanted to mate it to an 8ba flathead. The full syncro 3 speed would be a better unit IMO and you can either adapt it to a full car 8ba bell housing or use an adapter to a truck or Merc 1/2 bell housing.
     
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  11. RICH B
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 6,018

    RICH B
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Chev trans adapted to a Ford torque tube is pretty short.
    torque tube adapter (Medium).jpg
     
  12. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,367

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    The SM420 is a little shorter than the SM465, maybe an inch or two, fyi.
     
  13. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,694

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    ^^^^That Muncie 318 trans has been shortened quite a bit, even to the point of losing it's speedometer drive. The shortest factory Muncie 318 would be the 58-64 X-frame car versions. I had a Gibson Model D tractor, with tiller steering once, that had an early Chevrolet 3 speed transmission with reverse. It was pretty short being a top mshift, belt driven, modified tail housing connected directly to the MOPAR rear end. These production tractors were a collage of different auto manufacturers various parts, were made in Seattle and Denver, and were pretty popular on small hobby farms. Mine also had a front snowplow blade and rear hitch. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
  14. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,054

    Mr48chev
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    Automotive Stud and loudbang like this.
  15. big john d
    Joined: Nov 24, 2011
    Posts: 487

    big john d
    Member
    from ma

    early volvo has a 4 speed about the size of a top loader with no tailshaft full syncro top mount shifter
     
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  16. I agree with using the ford full syncro three speed and the jeep shift tower. That would be hard to beat. And you will never tear it up with most flatheads.
     
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  17. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,392

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    What's your goal exactly? A stock F1 transmission is probably as short or shorter than most of the stuff mentioned and it bolts right up.
     
  18. Ebbsspeed
    Joined: Nov 11, 2005
    Posts: 6,492

    Ebbsspeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Three speed side shifted trans from behind a 215 Buick/Olds is 21 inches from the tip of the input shaft to the centerline of the U-joint. Mounting face of trans to centerline of U-joint is right at 14 inches. Full synchro.
     
  19. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,670

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Knowing what the OP wants to do would certainly help.
     
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  20. Hotrodmyk
    Joined: Jan 7, 2011
    Posts: 2,339

    Hotrodmyk
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    As above, what are you doing?
     
  21. willsullivan
    Joined: Apr 16, 2016
    Posts: 83

    willsullivan
    Member

    I'm doing a Honest Charlie style Flathead motorcycle, but I want to maintain a working transmission unlike the original Honest Charlie bikes

    Sent from my SM-G970U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  22. goldmountain
    Joined: Jun 12, 2016
    Posts: 4,871

    goldmountain

    Don't think you have enough room. Here is Norm Grabowski's bike with Corvair power but there isn't any transmission that I can see. It is hooked up to an Indian military shaft drive. I remember another Corvair bike of his from the magazines that was chain drive that looked like it was hooked up to a Harley transmission but I couldn't see clearly how he did the 90 degree switchover. Good luck. Scan-190220-0001.jpg
     
  23. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 4,353

    rusty valley
    Member

    my friend built a v8 60 bike like charlies, but he made his own frame, long enough to keep the 60 ******, and then coupled to a 1 to 1 90 degree gear box and i forget if it was belt or chain to the rear. sorry, no pics, he moved, and i think was sold too
     
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  24. Mimilan
    Joined: Jun 13, 2019
    Posts: 1,255

    Mimilan
    Member

    ZF transmission out of an English CF Bedford Van.
    Alloy case 4 speed, Top Shift and tough as nails [will handle 400hp easily]

    upload_2020-6-22_9-34-48.png

    ZF also make a 5 speed which is slightly larger [4 speed L , 5 speed R ] the R/H has an Opel input shaft
    upload_2020-6-22_9-43-17.png
     
  25. THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Joined: Jun 6, 2007
    Posts: 6,116

    THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Member
    from FRENCHTOWN

    Shortie Powerglide? Like they use in REDs?

    upload_2020-6-25_11-46-26.jpeg
     

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