Register now to get rid of these ads!

manual tranny in a model A coupe

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Dan, Sep 11, 2003.

  1. Dan
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 2,386

    Dan
    Member

    Who else is running them? Any advice or pointers? How much interior room do you loose and what seats are you using? I would like to try one behind the SBC in my coupe. What junkyard sources will have a manual that I could use? Doesn't need be a Muncie or anything I would be happy with a Saginaw, heck even a three speed would work for the time being. How did you do your clutch arrangement? Thanks-
     
  2. Darwin
    Joined: Oct 14, 2002
    Posts: 505

    Darwin
    Member

    Dan. This is the setup on my friend Richard's Tudor. 283SBC with a 3sp Saginaw, dual hydraulic frame-mount floor pedals from Pete & Jakes with Wilwood master cylinders, and an aluminum bellhousing with the clutch slave cylinder on the right (passenger side). Had to move the clutch fork to the other side because of interference with the pedals on the driver's side. A hydraulic throwout bearing would need a lot less fiddling and fabbing than this setup required. The shifter is a Mr. Gasket 3 speed modified to move it forward as much as possible and it has the Model A shift lever grafted onto it. The aluminum bellhousing had a round pad on the right which was suitable for drilling and tapping for the clutch ball and the side of the housing had a marked area indicating where to cut for the clutch fork. It was out of a Nova I think. Sounds like kind of a lash-up but it works well and has been perfectly reliable. A four speed would a tougher deal because moving the shift lever would be much harder to do because of the third shift rod. Lots of rods use 4 speeds but frequently the shift lever comes out nearly underneath the seat. Usually a funny shaped lever is needed to get it into a usable position.
     
  3. Dan
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 2,386

    Dan
    Member

    Cool, had no idea you could move the throw-out to the other side, pretty ignorant of manual transmissions. Thanks-that will be something to keep in mind.
     
  4. What he said.
    I have a 4sp in my A pickup the shifter comes through the floor almost under my leg. A funky shift lever and some tunneling in the seat were required.

    I use a Willwood slave cylinder and it hooked up very easy. Just be sure to route the hydraulic lines away from the exhaust so you don't cook the fluid (Don't ask).

    Do put in the manual tranny, a real hot rod has 3 pedals.
    TZ
     
  5. SAVAGE
    Joined: May 13, 2002
    Posts: 930

    SAVAGE
    Alliance Vendor

    I use a hydralic throwout bearing in mine it works great.. I ordered it from speedway I think. I used a hydralic slave cylinder from wilwood and had nothing but problems. I would try the hydralic throwout bearing.

    AARON
     
  6. Dan, I have a Saginaw 3spd and a bellhousing you can HAVE!!!!!!! The tranny has been opened up, it looks OK by a tranny builder friends eyes. It is just good to see you working on the A again. Trent

    BTW, the free outdoor swap is this SUNDAY! Wanna come down??? I am painting the house and you could earn you board???? [​IMG]
     
  7. I knew there was a lazy reason why i put an auto in my A.....i really wanted a 4 speed but got the auto for cheap so in it went! Still want that 4 speed tho.....had a Muncie behind a 261 Jimmy in my 53 Chev once but the A is a whole new problem..............
     
  8. Dan
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 2,386

    Dan
    Member

    Tman - I would gladly take the tranny if you want to part with it. Can't make it Sunday, too much stuff to do. I'll look you up soon if you don't mind holding on to it for awhile??
     
  9. No prob, I have had it in the shed for 4 years!!

    I just think yer afraid of all that Guinness????
     
  10. Dan
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 2,386

    Dan
    Member

    god what I wouldn't give to let lose with some guiness - I'll look you up soon - Thanks
     
  11. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,130

    metalshapes
    Member

    I am very happy with the Worldclass T5 in my roadster. I made my own bracket for a hydraulic setup, working off a 302 Ford pushrod.
     
  12. I have a ford toploader behind my 327 in my A-bone and the hurst shifter comes out too close to the leg especially in a channelled car, so I had to make a custom shifter to get it into the middle. A set of deuce factory pedals and some mechanical linkage and it's the cats ass. Besides, real hotrods dont have auto boxes.... it's boring.

    [​IMG] <font color="black"> </font> Nothin' like rowin' thru the gears and chirpin' the hides to wake you up!
    Makes you a participant in the ride, rather than a spectator.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.