So I've got my '46-'48 59a apart and have been cleaning up parts, getting ready to head off to the machine shop after the first of the year. Everything looks good - no visible cracks - I think I have a good block. Took some measurements and I think cleaning the block and a quick honing should suffice. Bearing surfaces look like new. This thing must have had the best of care. Yesterday I decided to turn my attention to the transmission. This toploader 3 speed was attached to the engine when I bought it and I ***umed it was probably the trans that has always been paired to the engine. It has the closed drive '37 and up (ish) rear mount but someone has welded a P.T.O. coupler on the back half of the U-joint yoke. The engine/trans had been used as some sort of powerplant on a farm where I found it in an old barn. I got on the Van Pelts' site and discovered the casting # is 18-7006 making it a '32 -'34 case. The serial # is 1,11-,--- making it a '34 transmission. From what I've read the cases are somewhat interchangeable but the 78 series are stronger and will hold the 11 inch clutch. My question is other than some strength issues would this be wise to run behind a very mild flathead if upon teardown and inspection it is in good shape? Or should I look for a '37 up trans? I plan on using a mild grind cam and a two carb setup. No real serious H.P. much over stock, but it needs to be reliable driver. I would appreciate any input you guys have. Thanks and have a great Holiday!
Does the ****** have syncro'd gears? If it's the original gutts it won't. That would be the first thing I would try to sort out. If it doesn't you can put later gears in there with syncro but you may also have to change the shift forks/top cover... Which is where I am on the one I'm working on currently too. Same case you have w/ '48 gears in it. Pretty easy, just waiting for the wider forks. I have only done a few ****** case and gut swaps so others may be able to better inform you. good luck, Gary
Since you are spending big money for the engine rebuild, I suggest using a later top shift case. I have done a few gut swaps by removing innards from late 40's column shift box into top shift ones. Better helical gears and synchros. CornBoy is also correct by stating the need for the 7222 top with wider shift forks, usually pirated from pickup trannies. OR ...better yet buy a complete 42 to much newer pickup ******. Bolt pattern is same for many later years.
As said it depends on what you are going to do with the engine / trans. If you ultimately want an open drive you want to probably just look for the truck box as mentioned ('42-'50) You will have to swap out pretty much everything to get the open drive anyway. If you want to run a torque tube the trans you have will work, it should have syncro 2nd and 3rd like the newer ones. The newer syncros are supposedly better and the helical cut gears in the newer trans are quieter.
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