Bought Flathead drivetrain...good deal?

Does anyone know anything about the exhaust manifolds being stamped with LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA?

And where can I get more info and find parts for the tranny I got?

 

barry wny...i ll look at that front end to see if it has juice brakes...i didn't even think to look...I might just use that frame with this motor and my 30 dodge coupe 3w...

 

Mercury shop manual will show overhaul procedure. What parts do you need?

Some of the parts in the trans are unique to the '49-50 model. The cluster gear is tough to find. The caged bearings are different from those in the ford.

Neal

 

I don't know enough about the transmission to give you much advice. Mac Vanpelt (Fortyfordguy on this site) has an extensive background with the old flathead transmissions.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm

He sells a lot of parts and probably could set you straight on what is really inside the box.

I was looking at the banjo. To me, I think the pinion shaft seems a little long to be a stock '42-'47 pickup banjo. I think it is more likely a torque tube model converted. My pickup banjo is under a pile of snow right now, if I can get a chance I will try to snap a pict of the pinion yoke if it does in fact look different than yours.

 

Cool thanks, I ll check that site out...and if you can snap a pic of that rearend that would be great...I think it has been converted but not exactly sure...

 

I don't really know what parts I need, just like to know where they are if/when I need them

 

My tranny is like yours in my '49 Merc. About 6-7 years ago I pulled the tranny & OD unit to replace the sychronyzers in the tranny. After assembly I filled tranny case with oil and re-installed it in the Merc. Took it for a test drive and got about 50 miles and it locked up in OD. Pulled the dash handle out and got it back home. Pulled the tranny again and the planetary in the OD was burned up (lack of oil). I started searching (probable made 25 phone calls)and found a NOS unit in New Jersey (Just the gears). Guy wanted $700.00 so I said I'd look elsewhere. Found one in a local junkyard out of a truck. Ask the guy how much? He said "I won't sell it!" I said "WTF?" and he said "we'll put in your pick-up bed and you take to your shop. Dismantle it and find the parts you need, Put old parts in this housing and bring it back to me. Oh and you owe me $35.00. I did as I was told. According to an old timer Borg Warner tech I talked to on the phone told me any make, year or model of Borg Warner OD casting numbers starting with R-10 would work as far as the planatery gears even if OD drive shaft length was different.

Lesson learned if you do tear it apart fill both the tranny housing and the OD housing with oil before you drive it.

I still think the tranny and OD unit are worth the $700.00 alone.

Jim

 

Thanks Jim...I am very unfamiliar with these trannies so if I ask any questions it is because I honestly do not know...but I am always willing to learn...thanks for everyone who is helping me....

is the OD unit the cylinder hanging off of the bottom and the tailshaft right?

and what connects in the farthest whole on the tail shaft on the drivers side? is that where the dash handle setup goes? cause whatever is supposed to be there is missing?

chuck

 

The OD housing bolts to the rear of the tranny with 4 bolts. The thing hanging down is probably the solenoid. The empty hole is probably the centrifugal switch (governor). The original wiring allowed the OD to engage when the governor see's a speed above 28 MPH. When that speed is reached the solenoid energizes to engage the OD unit. Go here for a pic of the OD unit only:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/Flathead_Trans_49-50merc-od.jpg

The tranny is a separate housing between the engine and OD housing. For a pic of it go here.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/Flathead_Trans_49-50merc-3speed.jpg

The OD unit replaces the tailshaft unit (see the 4 bolts?) on this drawing.

Jim

 

thanks for the help Jim

Chuck

 

I wasn't able to dig it out today, its buried pretty good with the snow and ice. I did find a pict I took when I got it though. Turns out that mine is exactly like yours, so it is very likely a '42-'47 pickup rear.

 

Ok cool. Thanks alot for doing that.

 

Ford built Model T's in downtown Los Angeles up until 1920. Factory is still there - it's now vacant but was the Imperial Toy Co. at 7th and Santa Fe.

They moved to new factory on Terminal Island where they operated untill they moved in the late 50's. The factory is torn down now. It was at the north end of the drawbridge on the Terminal Island Freeway.

Fords were then built in the Pico Rivera Plant until it closed in the 80's. Then it became Northrup-Grumman - now closed.

Flathead stuff was made in the old Terminal Island Plant.

 

I guess that's why the exhaust manifolds have Los angeles California on them...thanks...I had never seen that before...

 

The big problem with ALL flatheads running or not is cracks. 4 of 5 blocks will have serious cracks. Take it apart and have it pressure checked. Not all the cracks will be
visable from the outside.

 

Are you sure about that ratio? Seems awfully high.

If true, the flathead gods are smiling on me for bought 4 motors (all at seperate times) and all four standard bore and no cracks & mag'd to prove it.

 

It's a proven fact that 96 1/2% of all statistics are made up.

 

that does seem awfully high...

 

This is only a fact 93.7688856311111111111% of the time

 

Man, this is why I love the HAMB! I just brought home an 8BA flattie with a 3 speed overdrive transmission this afternoon and don't know a thing about overdrives so I log onto the HAMB and type in ford overdrive and here I am, reading a thread with current posts regarding the exact subject!

Anyway, I have a couple of questions about mine. I read at the top of this thread that there is supposed to be a number stamped on the OD unit....does anyone know where that number should be? Mine is REALLY dirty and I haven't got it all cleaned but I figured the number would be on top, but didn't see it. Any suggestions as to location?
Second, I assume that mine is a Ford unit because of the difference in bellhousing from the one pictured at the top of the thread. Does that make mine junk or is it still worth trying to get working? I have a couple other good 3 speed top loader flathead transmissions but saw this one and thought it would be cool. How tough are they to make work (it sounds like it could be complicated with wiring and all)? Is it worth the trouble to get this one working or would I be better off sticking with my plain old 3 speeds?
Thanks for any ideas of thoughts.

 

I think you got a good deal. should make a few $$$'s if you decide your not going to use it.

Frank

 

The number should be cast in the housing, not stamped. Should start with R-10XXXX.

You'l prolly have to dismantle, clean and inspect. Od unit bolts to the rear of the tranny with 4 bolts then slides rearward. I run my unit with a toggle switch under the dash, have run that way about 13 years with no problems. Yes that is a Ford tranny and not a Merc, probably a '52 thru 53 unit.

Here's a link to Mac VanPelts website with exploded view:

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/Flathead_TransOD_1952to54.jpg

Jim

 

I ended up getting the engine I mentioned before for 400. Complete 8BA with radaitor, late style bellhousing and all engine accessories. It is in a early 50 something Jeep wagon. Now to go chase down the rest of the Model A pieces I need.

 

adavis,
Do you know what the engine/tranny came out of? Does the oil pan have verticle ribs on the sump? Is the bell housing cast iron or stamped steel? Keep in mind Ford and Mercury used the same transmissions from '51-'53 and later, excluding a few '50 round-case carry overs in early '51. The link below should help ID your parts. Move the cursor over the question mark in each picture to view text info.
Bob


http://www.flatheadv8.org/bellhousing.pdf

 

adavis, I m glad I started this thread if it helped you out.

 

Since this is back up...anyone know a good place to get parts for the 49-50 merc tranny and overdrive?

 

When you get it apart and see what you need call Nortrhwest Transmissions @ (937)-442-2811. They're located near Winchester, Ohio. They told me they can prolly find the parts you need on the phone a few minutes ago but there's a lot of parts in the tranny and OD unit.

Jim

 

once again thanks blown49

 

My Pleasure Chuck. Got the tranny separated from the engine yet?

Jim

 

Haven't had a chance yet Jim, working too much, but hoping to get on it next week...got a month before I got to go to training so I d like to get a look at it before then...and then work on it afterwards....

Chuck