First time in this section. I have a possible trade in the works. Trading for a 51 F1 project. Fairly solid truck. It comes with (not installed) lots of parts from a 52 F5 including Flat head V8 radiator seat and glass. The glass is bubbled. If this deal goes through I’ll be looking for a 4 speed for this and who knows what else. I’m wanting to keep it close to original or maybe a 50’s era hot rod. What do I need to look for in a 4 speed? Any guesses on rear gear ratio? I’m sure I’ll have many questions in the future.

 

The original 4 speed transmission that came in a 51 F1 is a non-syncro trans, which means double clutching and kind of a pain in the leg. There were two 3 speed transmissions, a light duty and a heavy duty. Both are syncro'd on 2nd and 3rd gears and are much easier to drive than the 4 speed. The only thing you'd be giving up is the granny low 1st gear, which you'd probably never use, anyway. There is a rare T98 that was used in F6 trucks that would fit behind the flathead, but they were never installed in the F1 and the mount is totally different, which means the trans crossmember would need to be removed/modified for it to fit. That would not exactly fit into the 'keeping it stock' thing.

Welcome to the forum!

 

I have a 52 F1 with the optional 4 speed transmission. I'm not positive what came standard in 51. My 4 speed is non-synchro, with a 3.92 rear axle ratio. It has a "granny" low first gear, so I usually start off in second. I'm able to go 55-60 mph on the highway. Top speed is probably in the low 70's. Double clutching is required, but the distinctive whine that indicates you're driving a real truck comes as an added benefit.

Jim

Edit: Darn if Wayne didn't beat me and with better information, too.

 

Thanks for the replies. I might be hunting a 3 speed instead it looks like. Just curious what years I might be after? Not really interested in modifying anything to fit the 4 speed truck transmission. I’d like to stay close to stock. I need to give the column a better look to see if it has a shifter. How hard would linkage be to find. I’m assuming this would shift like a later Ford 3 speed???

 

48-52 is the interchange years you'll be looking for. However, there is a couple details to keep in mind. All of the HD 3 speeds were floor shifters, so that part is easy. It's the same looking shifter as the 4 speeds used, so at a casual look inside the cab no one would know the difference.
The light duty 3 speeds is where things take a turn. Part way through the 1950 model year Ford made a running change to go with a column shifter instead of floor shifter. If you don't have those parts you'd need to find them. That could get interesting making sure you have all the little linkage bits, and that they work right. If you found someone parting one out, that would be the best bet. Good luck with your mission.

 

Thank you. I never knew there was a 3 speed stick like a 4 speed. Will the bell housing be made to the transmisson?

 

Would the hd 3speed stock be original to a 1951 F1?

 

Yes. The HD 3 speed was optional for all years 48-52, and any of those should fit your truck, afaik. Be sure it is for an F1 as the mount is different from the larger series.

 

the flat head came out of a F5??? Grain truck. Will I run into problems there?

 

The same basic 8BA engine was used in the F5, the F1, or passenger cars. It should be fine.

 

We have a verbal agreement on this trade but it’s been hard to get a weekend off the same weekend as he. Hoping weekend after next to get it done. We live a few hrs apart.

 

I’ve often wondered about the 1952 HD 3 speed option? I’ve seen it listed in the data books. I didn’t know it was mounted on the floor? That’s pretty cool! So in 52 someone could order a 3 spd HD trans? How come you never see trucks with this option? What made it different than the regular 3spd?

 

Try a search on this forum for T87D transmissions. There has been a good bit of discussion about them.
The case is almost the same size as the 4 sp spur gear trans