I need some help identifying this tranny. I plan to tear it down and rebuild what is needed but want to order the correct parts first time! The solenoid is missing and I know they come in different lengths. Input shaft is 1 3/8, 10 spline. Output is 1 3/16, 16 spline. Length from bell to tail is 25 1/2", front of bell to centre of mount is 18". OD unit is an R10C-1. I plan to put this in my 52 F1 which is currently stock, 239 Flattie with 3 speed column shift and 3.86 rear end. Looks pretty straight forward other than modifying the cross member and shortening the driveshaft. I have the rear yoke in case it is different than already installed. I also have a newer Merc unit with the solenoid so it may interchange. That tranny does not have the integral bell housing. That is why I am wanting to use this one. Previous owner ran this with a plate blanking off the solenoid mounting hole so I expect the OD section was not in use. Any help and advice is welcome!
I believe that is a '49 thru early '51 Mercury transmission. I used one in converting my '47 Ford to open drive, though it wasn't the OD model. There are reproduced manuals available for the Borg Warner OD units. Available from various on line sellers. Best few bucks you could spend buying one of those. Also, Factory Ford or Mercury Shop Manuals should have enough info to be useful, if you have one of those......most any other brand that used BW OD would also have info. So, Lots of possibilities. Ray
49--50 early 51 Mercury trans. Solenoid from any '50's--60's Ford - G M or Studebaker will fit. 6, or 12 volt, your choice.
I've had two of those types, one with the non-synchro front and the present with the all synchro 3 speeds and you are just going to love this transmission. My transmissions are Chevy's but the overdrives are B-W, a B-W is a B-W no matter what transmission it's attached to, as others have stated above.
Definitely a 49-50 (and early 51) Mercury overdrive transmission. It’s a perfect fit for the 1948-52 Ford F-1 trucks. Takes the normal solenoid with the 1” plunger. Also uses the same slip yoke as the one your truck used with its regular 3 speed trans, although you’ll have to shorten the driveshaft. Make sure to measure carefully......the yoke should be positioned so it will have good spline engagement but not bottom out against the rear oil seal on a bump in the road. Someone or something has ground off a fair amount of the low/reverse shifter lever. The Merc levers were rolled steel and were prone to cracking. I’d swap them for the 48-52 levers that were on your original trans.....assuming it was a sideloader of course. That’s a job best done with the shifter housing off the trans. Here’s a link to an exploded parts drawing on this unit. We can help with parts for a rebuild. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/Flathead_Trans_49-50merc-3speed.jpg http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/Flathead_TransOD_1949to50.jpg http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_trans-pics/8M-7201shiftr-hsng.jpg
When I swapped the Merc trans into my Ford Coupe, I just swapped the entire side cover, levers and all, to retain the stock shift arm/linkage as it was. Ray
The side cover for the Merc overdrive is different inside.....there is a special shift shaft for the low/reverse fork, along with a unique flapper lever next to it. This is part of the overdrive reverse lockout mechanism and needs to be there. A regular (non OD trans) shifter housing will not have these pieces in it.
^^^^^^^^^ Yep, mine was not OD......sorry....I forgot about that extra mechanism on OD versions.. Ray
Is this tranny a Ford part or BW? I have heard mention of t89, t85, first gear synchro or not. No markings I can see on it. Sent from my SM-G930W8 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I would defer to Mac Van Pelt on the answer to the question of manufacturer. It is NOT a T-85, nor does it have a first gear synchro. Otherwise ??...... A man should know his limitations.... Ray
It’s a 1949-50 Mercury overdrive transmission. Trans by Ford and overdrive by Borg Warner. Assembled by Ford. It’s not a T85 or a T89 or any other T whatevers. I’ve rebuilt plenty of them. So.......repeat to self......as many times as you feel your confidence waning....... “it’s a 1949-50 Merc overdrive transmission”. Don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise. BTW......it’s only synchronized into 2nd and high gears. No synchro into 1st or Reverse.
That is all I needed to know. Didn't want to order the wrong parts when I get down to it! Thanks for all the info!
Some of the Ford O.D. transmissions (1956 T-86) had cast-in shift bosses, top loading, and the 1st/reverse slider installed backward. (only in the O.D. trans) The shift fork was positioned in front of the slider. Fixed more than one with the slider 'inverted', like 'normal'!
I believe that’s a Merc trans i have the same animal rebuilt it myself not that hard other than the sun gear. When you go to put it back in use a thin rubber band to keep all the bearing in place it will melt away when trans is being used no big deal.
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