I am uninstalling my three-on-the-tree transmission and installing...something better. However, I don't know what that "something better" should be. I haul steel and I pull big, heavy, vintage travel trailers. It's not a show truck: it works. I want it to work better. I'm hoping you can tell me what to do. people like to do that. Thank you in advance.

 

Warner T98A

The "factory" 4 speed used in these trucks. Granny low, direct 4th. Synchro in 2, 3, and 4.

 

Agree with 3414, not only a good hd transmission, but original equipment as well.

 

Thanks much fellas. after I posted the ad, I found an ad stating the "original four-speed" used in 60. but also used in 59? why ya suppose my 250 didnt have a four-speed? wondering if my truck is not as original as I thought.

 

Welcome to the 57-60 forum ! (home of the fridge truck) My '59 f350 flareside is a tow rig too. I'm gonna order a prodigy trailer brake setup this week. Because of a diesel conversion I'm running a gm sm465 4 spd, but it's very similar to the ford version. I have a couple of flatbed equipment trailers and a '58 aloha travel trailer for weekend trips. Any photos of your truck? What engine? I'm thinking your 3 spd could have been original, but most of the 3/4 tons surely would have been ordered with the T98.

 

59F250, Welcome to the orphanage!
Not sure how common it was but my f250 4x4 came with a three speed also. I did however destroy two of them in my early days, both times it was the first/reverse cluster that let go.
Has anyone mentioned we like pictures!

 

Good thing we've grown up and don't tear up our stuff anymore, huh Wally?

 

Yea, makes it hard to get real upset when the kids do something, I can see my self doing at their age!
Responsibilities and growing up, sucks a little.

 

Trans code stamped on Rating Plate: Located on the left (drivers) side upper A pillar (windshield post), visible when the door is opened, or located on the inside of the glovebox door.

A = Ford Light Duty 3 speed manual (standard equipment) / D = Warner T-89 Heavy Duty 3 speed manual (optional) / F = Warner T-98 4 speed manual (optional) / G = A/T (optional).

T-98 applications: 1957/60 F100/600 223 I-6, 272 & 292 V8 / 1961/64 F100/600 223/262 I-6's, 292 V8.

 

I've searched all over the site, and can't find the info I need on a Tranny swap, I have several of these trucks, and all but one have either 4 or 5 speed trannys with Y blocks, the one with the 3 speed has a 223 in it, and I want to put a three speed in my 59 SWB Mercury 100 with one of my Y blocks, but found out I need a truck bell housing that had a Y block on one end, and a 3 speed on the other, I was told I can't put a car tranny ( in this case a T85 with planetary OD out of a 67 Marlin ) which has the same bolt pattern as a 3 speed Y block housing, actually I was told a car tranny won't work because the input shaft on the tranny is both smaller diameter and shorter in length. but I thought I also read that the 57/60 Y block housing that came with a three speed in these trucks is also not as deep. Can anyone shed any light on this problem for me.
thanks,
Mercury59 (Gord)

 

The truck Y block and 223 bellhousings are the same depth which is too deep for a passenger car trans that has a shorter input shaft. The passenger car input shaft retainer that the throw out bearing rides on is also smaller so you can't use the truck throw bearing.

If you just have the light duty 3 speed maybe a medium duty one would work for you.

 

Ok, so regardless if the truck came with a t98 4 speed or a T89 3 speed with a Y block, the housings are the same depth, correct ? I should be able to get a throw out bearing that fits, and have an extension turned for the back of the crank where the input shaft goes, is this also correct ?.
thanks.
Mercury59 (Gord)

 

I'm a little confused as to what you are trying to do. If you are using a truck 3 speed trans and truck bell housing there is no problem. If you try to use a passenger car trans like the T85 it doesn't work, the truck clutch pivot arm, throw out bearing collar are different and larger, I know of no other throw out bearing/collar that will work. Maybe some else does..

 

I wanted to put a car T85-R11 tranny in my truck and was hoping I could use a L.D. 3 speed truck bell housing from a Y block, thus utilizing the mounting ears from my truck bell housing. My other option is to use a car Y block housing and build a cross member to mount ( or support ) the tranny.
Thanks,
Mercury59

 

Thats sounds like a good plan but here is the problem. The car bellhousing doesn't have the cast on piece that the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder bolts to. I suppose you could get a piece fabricated and welded on?