Technical Ford 3 speed transmission

Gday Guys,
I had a couple of questions relating to the rear bearing on an early 35-39 transmission.
When installing/ replacing the rear bearing can i just heat it up and that will be enough expansion to get it to fit the shaft without having to dismantle the transmission.
Second question

The same bearing, i see when you put it on there is no seal on the outside facing the torque tube. I had heard its better to put the bearing in with a seal on the outside and none on the inside , letting the bearing run in oil from the transmission but limiting the chance of oil leaking out into the torque tube area.
Can someone advise ifcthis is correct as im about to replace mine on my 39 transmission.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

The rear bearing is a slip fit or light press fit, so you should be able to change it without dismantling the rest of the transmission. Correct thinking regarding the seal.
Tom

 

I know some Ford three speeds from that time had a thin sling washer or baffle behind the rear bearing (outside facing the torque tube). Its purpose must have been to prevent too much oil escaping through the bearing, from the gearbox. A bearing with a seal on the outside only might be better.

 

We build these transmissions. First of all, to answer your question about installing the rear ball bearing, do not heat it. If you don’t have a hydraulic press, you can use a length of steel pipe to drive it on. Use a diameter that will contact the inner race of the bearing.

All of the closed drive transmissions were fitted with a steel oil baffle in front of the bearing. Don’t put anything behind the bearing or you can upset the end play clearance of the transmission. The U-joint is meant to slide up tight against the inner race of the bearing.

As for using a sealed ball bearing at this location, we would disagree with this suggestion. It’s my contention that Ford intended for some gear oil to migrate through the bearing to mix with the grease in the U-joint cavity to help keep the lubrication of the UJ going. The oil baffle in front of the bearing prevents most of the oil splash from getting through but a little will make it. If you’ve sealed up the split cap assembly properly, you shouldn’t have any leaks from this area.