I have a 1951 Olds 303 that I wanted to be mated to a Ford three-speed F1 truck transmission. I located a vintage adapter plate and the trans is all hooked up to the motor. I have a correct Wilkap flywheel and reduction gear starter. The problem has been with the shifting mechanism, mechanical vs hydraulic. I went with a hydraulic (Willwood MC, Nissan slave). The rest becomes screwy. After some early success, the hydraulic stopped working. This after replacing both cylinders that started to leak. Should I go to a mechanical setup and use ford parts? Or continue trying to get the hydraulic system to work. Too much to rattle on about except that the main problem with the hydraulic seems to be with the slave cylinder and the push rod (after a lot of adjusting). Maybe switch to a LaSalle, would need Olds bell housing?
Mechanical clutch linkage is desirable, ("KISS" method) You didn't mention the vehicle it's in, so I'm '***uming' it's an early Ford? Yes on the Olds bell housing, LaSalle bolts right up.
Depending on the application, you could even go with a 3.03 toploader with a T-85 shifter if you wanted a top shift.
Doug, a pic or two would be helpful. maybe switch to a different slave. I use the early GM truck unit Clutch Slave Cylinder-EW34447-Cl***ic Chevy Truck Parts (cl***icparts.com)
Thanks for feedback, I have access to Cadillac LaSalle transmissions. I also have a 1950 Mercury 3 sp OD transmission, with the extended bell. If I stick to the '51 Ford F1 3 sp with extended bell setup could the '50 Merc be used to replace the Ford. They "appear" to be identical in terms of bolt pattern, input shaft, clutch X-shaft (in the bell) and side cover/arms.
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