OK, so I've been searching around the internet and can't find anywhere that gets down to br*** tacks about the flathead ford transmissions. I've got a '35 Ford pickup that was "souped up" by the old guy I bought it from back when he was a kid. It has an 8BA flattie that I know isn't stock, but I can't tell what year the transmission is. I just bought a 3 speed flathead transmission at a swap meet over the weekend and I wrote the numbers that are stamped at the top of the "bell" so maybe someone could tell me exactly what I have. I know that certain years are synchronized, but other than that are there any benefits to some years over others? If anyone can point me to an exact thread that explains all there is to know about these old ford trannies I'd be forever grateful. Thanks.
Pics? Do you know if it is a double or single detent tower? Pics of the insdie would also identify it.
I haven't taken it apart yet. What do you mean by single or double detent tower (how can I tell)? Then number stamped into the "bell" of the transmission is *18<->3557395* The * is really a 5 pointed star.
I show that number as being a 1937. Should be a single detent tower. The double detent towers are the better shifting ones, but I have a 37 trans in my A, shifts just fine.
So if I were to get the number off the ****** that is in my pickup you could tell if it was a double detent, in which case I should run it? Does the double detent signify synchronized? Can you spot the number of detents by simply looking at the transmission without taking it apart? Thanks for the help....do you have an ID reference guide (if so, where'd you find it)?
Yeah, I could tell you. I have a refference sheet that shows serial numbers and what years they fit. The double detent started in late 37 or maybe just 38. Not all doubles are the "good" ones, the 39-up toploader are the desired ones. Look at this pic, see the two round little outlets on each side of the tower, those are detents. If it has only one total, it is a single. If it has two (one on each side like the one in the picture) it is a double. To tell if it is a 38 trans or 39-up, you have to take the tower off. The slider (big round part that the big fork slides on) will look different between the two. This is a 38. Note both sides af the slider look the same: The good 39-up will have an off set side on the slider. The large fork should also have the part number" 91A-7230" You can see about everything here: http://www.35pickup.com/Transmission.html
Thanks. That explains a WHOLE bunch. I'll check the other ****** today and keep my fingers crossed for 2 detents.
Serial tells you what trans was (though in some years there were variations) when it left Detroit. Both vertical tower shifters can take the big fork, and some 81A types were small fork...it's safest to ***ume nothing from the outside, best to pop the lid and check innards, which can largely be done without further dis***embly. General ID of all parts is covered within this old post: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91515&showall=1 ***ume nothing...I have even seen late gears under an early top, "converted" by mangling the old fork and somehow surviving the incorrect travel of the synchro. Pull the lid and find out if you have a bucket of rusted straight cut cogs or a thousand bucks worth of perfect Zephyrs...these things have now p***ed through 70 years of hotrodders, tinkers, farmers, and rebuilders who could have done ANYTHING in there.
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