Hi I'm looking for a gearbox for my flathead (1951) and have been offered this gearbox. Can any help me with what type it is and if it will bolt to my torque tube (it looks like an open drive to me?) thanks. (It's going into a 1930 A)
This is an open drive truck trans. Both cars and trucks in '51 had open drive lines not torque tubes. Not sure exactly what you actually have. Photos would help.
That is a Warner Gear T9. As stated, it is from a pickup or truck. Get used to double-clutching, as it has no synchronizers. Spur gear, is what Ford referred to it as. Will have a whine that can be heard from a distance. Judging by the rear mount, it lived in a half-ton. It was THE four speed in Ford trucks and pickups from 1930-1952. It was used in cars as well, when converted to AWD by Marmon -Herrington. A T98 was an option from 48-52 bigger trucks. IHC and REO used them as well.
This is not the trans one would want to put in a 51 Ford . . . unless it was a truck and you want a 4-speed crash box. Truth is, I wouldn't use it even if it was free (for a car).
Ok, thank you all for your help - I'm going to go with the advice and look for something more suitable
Hey, you should get in touch with Mac VanPelt - he is an expert in early transmissions and might even have one that you can purchase, have yours rebuilt or at least send you in the right direction. It is much better to have the RIGHT transmission (that will bolt in), than have to cobble something together. VANPELT SALES LLC - your ford flathead source since 2006
If your engine is 51 and you have a torque tube rear end (pre 48 car) you will need a49-51 Merc bell housing or similar truck bell and then you can use a 39-48 car trans
Hi, I'm in the Uk so parts are a little more scarce. The engine is a 51 out of a truck so has the bell housing. I will look for a car transmission , thanks
Let's get our ducks in a row... 51 truck engine and bell, going in a Model A, you want to retain the torque tube, the torque tube and diff are stock Model A. Is this all correct so far? Is the picture of the orange engine above with a gearbox attached what you have now? Full disclosure always helps better, more comprehensive responses.
Stol Thanks for sharing. Hope your search is successful. Please accept my comment as a friend X38 - Good that you bring that up. Often it seems that guys will try to 'short speak' by dropping words. I guess the assumption is "y'all know what I mean". No we don't. Stol- Nothing personal. It is Only what it is
Truck T-9 makes for an interesting drive. Farmer down the road had one in a stake bed Ford. He could/would go through the gears with no issues; I didn't do too bad because I had a Crosley at the time; the other kids not so well.
Apologies for not explaining properly but my initial question was just about identifying the transmission and I didn't want to cloud the issue. Yes, the picture is what I have - It's a 51 flathead with a side loader with open drive. I understand I can bolt up another gearbox to what I have - A car or truck. I want to change to toploader with the ability to connect to the torque tube. I have seen kits where I could convert the side loader to top but I still have the issue of connecting to the TT. The easiest option is just to get a car gearbox. Please correct me if my understanding is incorrect. Thanks all for your help
You have it correct. I would look for a 1939 top-loader gearbox with closed/torque-tube main shaft and rear mounting plate. You'll want a '78' case (that is the starting of the part number), you'll want the 39 double-detent shift tower, big shift fork, etc.. You can put any of the side-loader gear sets in this case up to 1948. This is pretty much what most of us run in our early 'traditional' styled HotRods. If you need a rebuild manual or parts, contact Mac VanPelt. I've built and customized a lot of these transmissions - will work great in your application. Note: The '78' case is also used on 1/2 ton trucks from about 39 - 48 (maybe even a bit further) - though they used an open-drive main-shaft and rear mounting setup. So, you can use a pickup top-loader case and shift-tower - then replace the main shaft and rear mount and you'll be good to go. These are simple transmissions - you just need the right combination of parts from the right years. Mac's book is a must-have if you're new to them.
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