welp, at the point in the road, should I stik with the stock 3 speed, with banjo rear, or put in the t-5 and bronco rear, on my single tail light 39 Tudor. What I'm askin' is real world experience with the non syncro tranz behind the chevy , or Ford small block engines
What do you mean non-syncro? Of course there are syncros in a 39 trans. Only the downshift from 2 to 1 doesn’t have a syncro. They are easy to drive, work just fine if you learn how to use them, and will last a lifetime if built right and you do maintenance on them. The worst problem is leaking, and there are many tips and tricks to try when you are doing the rebuild. But, the problem is that they will cost as much to rebuild as buying the T-5 costs.
Grew up with old chevy non syncro 1st gear cars and trucks, was a pain in the rear stoping all the time to drop into 1st. I have all the t-5 stuff and bronco rear sitting here so cost ain't the problem, I'm just getting lazy in my old age, don't want to be layin' on the ground changing things over if the original 3 speed ain't that bad, thanks for the input.
I would think a lot depends on your driving habits. I have a 39 three speed behind a 324 olds in my 39 pickup. I did upgrade to zepher gears so less shifting required in town. I'm satisfied with how it handles but then again I have no problem coming to a full stop if I need first gear.
There are about 8 billion threads on this topic. There are probably as many sbc’s in front of 39’ trans as flatheads at this point. key take aways, don’t beat the shit out of it, no giant clutch dumps, and if possible run traditional skinny bias plies that likely won’t ever get enough traction to do any real damage and you’ll be fine. want to dump the clutch, run it up to 8 grand and pound it into the next gear while Running a fat sticky tire? This is not the trans for You.
If this really is where your life is don't get over involved with the total change over. It's actually way more work than you sound up to. Just put it together the easy way with the 39 trans and rear end. Go drive it.
With any non syncro 1st gear trans you do not necessarily have to come to a dead stop to shift into 1st gear, you just have to learn how to drive it. When moving you have to match the drive shaft speed to the main shaft speed, a slight increase in throttle, falls into gear no problem. Just like driving a big truck.
The old Saginaw in my 49 didn’t even require a clutch unless starting off or reverse. Even downshifting
I cant talk about a 3 speed behind a small block but i have a 3 speed behind a 59 ab in my 1946 coupe and i have a t5 in my 1930 roadster behind a french flathead. I enjoy both but the t5 is a world apart in shifting, just like a modern car. But with the 3 speed you have more of the old car feel.
Unless the 39 box is plumb wore out, no need to change. Unless you want that overdrive 5th. I’d run 70-75 all day long with a 39 box and 3.78s. With 750 16s I’d guess that 305 Chevy was turning 2800 ish. unless you’re going racing really no need to make a switch. And was said before, the 39 box has that old car feel. Anymore if they’re too modernized it kills their soul so to speak.
You've gotten great advice, don't beat on it and check the fluid. I have a '39 with Zephyr gears behind a 283 in my '32 Roadster been together since '08 and is f'un to drive. My best addition to the Roadster was the Columbia rear, 3:78 to 2:74 it floats down the road at 70 and 2000 rpm.
I’ve been driving my sedan with an early trans for almost twenty years and have never learned to double clutch. Basically the only time I need to put it down into first is at a stop sign. Just guarantees that I won’t get a no stop ticket.
I live in the North hills of Pgh. and my 40 coupe has a 39 top loader trans in it with a flathead and 411 gears in a Columbia rear axle. The 3 speed is great for what I use the car for, and the Columbia is useful if I need to travel on the expressway. So, what are you going to use the car for? As you know most of our streets around Pgh. are 40 MPH or less and a 3 speed will work just fine. If you plan on more expressway driving the t5 would be a much better choice along with an upgrade to the front brakes. I put 53-56 F1 Bendix brakes on my car, and it stops a lot better.
Build the motor stout enough, you really don't need first gear. The more I drive my roadster behind a full race 292 ci flathead, the more brazen I get with the trans. Get some bias ply tires and let it rip. Remember, there was a time when some hemi dragsters still had Ford 3 speeds behind them. Build it right, learn how to drive with 'em and it will outlast you. A lot depends how much fab work you want to do. Ford 9" and T-5 is far from a drop in modification. A lot of guys do it. I've seen some well done and I've seen some that are just waiting for a problem to happen. The OD with a T-5 is nice, but do you want to doing 85-90 mph on the highway with current drivers? Your call.
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