Technical What make some parts special?

What is so special about a 39 Ford trans? Is it different than any other early Ford trans? Also 56 Ford steering boxes. Are they different form the 53-56 style ,or different than 57-60 style? And lastly the round spindles. It seems to me that 37 are the desirable spindles of choice (maybe I'm off on that year), but are they not the same from 37-40 or 41?

 

Availability,Hoarding,Need.Many special parts to build a HotRod.

 

What I mean is - is the 39 a one year only model trans? Same question for the other parts I listed.

 

On transmission vanpeltsales.com and click on 39******* link.

I was not aware the 56 F100 box was different from 53-55.

 

column length is supposed to be different, and more suitable to ford rods.

info from hamb, not me

 

A very strange question. The answer is the same as what makes anything valuable.
Rarity. Just don't make 'em anymore.
And, the 39 Ford gearbox (tranny) is a hot item for those using that style gearbox. Last year for floor shift. First year for the larger diameter shifter forks and so on.
You might want to sit back and read for a while. It MAY become apparent.
Good luck.

 

You know, this is gonna be hard to explain, and maybe some of the older guys around here can expand on this a bit, but certain year parts got that designation just 'cause. I mean, really, a '37 spindle is the same thing up to mid '41 before they changed to a square back style, but if you have a pair, they are automatically '37s. The same thing happened with body styles too. Back when I was a kid, if you had a '28 or a '29 Ford it was almost universally identified as a '29. '26 and '27s were almost always branded as a '27. It's just been the last few years that it seems to me that guys are getting a bit more careful about what year certain components are. Most until fairly recently weren't hip to what part numbers or date codes meant, so it automatically was what ever was the popular year in the like date group.

As I type this, it sounds like absolute drivel, but I know it to be true. Like I said, maybe some of the guys a bit older than me can really put a finger on this as to why it is, but I grew up with that as the rule.

Oh, another one to mention, too. Until the last decade or so, if you were talking about your '32, or your '29, or your '40, you were talking about your Ford. If you were talking about your '40 Chevy, that was always a '40 Chevy....

 

The thing about the years/makes is right on. Sometimes somebody will ask me "what is that car?". it's a '40. "40 what?". Really? I never even think to mention it's a Ford. Growing up, NOBODY would confuse a '40 ford with any other make or model. Today I'm kinda like them. I can't tell a Subaru from a Mazda, from a whatever unless I can read the badge. I had some lady ask me "is that what they call a little Deuce coupe?" Me......yep.

 

If you don't correct and educate, you keep the cycle going. No one wins.

 

On the trans, 39 is the first of the best of the synchros, last year for floor shift in cars, however, they continued on the same in pickups for over 10 years.

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Or '39...

 

It's not just years, also true with makes of items. Every small block Chevy set of heads, and every 4-speed transmission is out of a Corvette!-MIKE

 

I've seen that too and its weird because Henry shut down the factory in April 1927 so there were more 26s than 27s.

 

I was under the impression 1939 Ford have mechanical brakes. HRP

 

Nope, 37-38 were cable activated mechanicals, 39 was first year for juice, last year for wide five.

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It was the only year to be a toploader and be fully synchronized in the passenger cars. That being said the same basic 3 speed was used in pickups up to 52. 1942 and later pickup 3 speeds had the rear bearing retainer and main shaft for the open drive shaft. For what it is worth you can use an earlier transmission case and the 40- 48 3 speed gears and end up with the same basic setup. The main change is using the wider fork in the transmission tower to match the gears in the case. Been there and done this several times. Rod

 

You also need '39 Pedals to run a '39 Transmission. Bob

 

year specific demand is not limited to transmissions and steering boxes either :39 pedal****embly, 40 ford wheels (one year only 4"), 32 K-member, F1 shock mounts, the list goes on and on...

Read a few of the many build threads on here, and you'll begin to understand the reasons why each item is coveted.

 

Stock 26-27 T rear crossmember is the one to use if you run a T rear spring in your car, has a front and rear flange like an A. All '54's are Chevrolets. Bob

 

This and most of the other comments are right on and good info. To some questions like these are DUMB. To me and most of you guys these are the way to keep this hobby going the right direction.
I've had 1939 Fords with stock hydralics and later brakes. The one I have now has 1954 Chevy fronts and 55-57 Chevy rear with that itty bitty 39 master cylinder.

 

Funny, but that has always seemed to be true. I guess the other cars just weren't too popular in 54.

 

So when I say I have a 39 and a 55 I have to say it's a 39 Ford and 55
Chevy? Ain't fair! And if I mention I had a 33 I'd have to say Chevy again or most would think it's a Ford. Hell they called it a Ford anyway and my 26 T was always a Model A to most.
I'm confused!

 

I think a lot of HAMB members enjoy passing along info, what good is having all these memories and not share them. Did all '39's have WIDE 5's? Bob

 

56 was the first year for a dished steering wheel. Thus the column is shorter, and can except other more modern dished steering wheels without being shortened. It is also the last year for that steering box. After they become bigger and are harder to fit.

Like others have mentioned

1939 trans is the first year for the good synchro and the last year for floor shift. You could build one using various non 39 parts and end up with the same thing, using a open drive truck trans case, later side shift car gears and close drive set up. You would have a trans****embled that was only available in 1939 in that configuration.

 

Hey, I didn't make the rules! They just is......

 

The 40 and 41 pickup transmissions are the same also, top shift, closed drive.

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Oops yep,You are right. I always forget that those are more like the cars than the later trucks.

 

Unless I missed it, no one mentioned that '39 was also the first year of the shift top with double detents, rather than single. As mentioned, the trucks used it into the early '50s.

 

I got em' and you don't..................

 

If I remember it right, the double detent top came out in 38, but with the smaller fork. I think the part number for the double detent top starts with 81A, meaning it started in 38. Therefore, not all double detent topped transmissions have the 3" fork and late synchro.

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