Sorry if this been brought up before but I used the search function and got nothing.

What exactly is the light duty 3 speed manual trans used behind the 223 6's in the 57 F100's
It is identified as 3/LD (I guess meaning 3 speed light duty) under the trans code on the VIN plate.
It is listed as a Light Duty transmission in the shop manual, it is a side loader with a square cover, not like the T85/89's D shaped cover

Who made this trans and what is it's model number.


Thanks in advance Matthew

 

As I recall it is a Ford copy of a BORG-WARNER Side Loader.
If I can find my FoMoCo Trans books I will give you a better answer.

Is this it?
http://www.fordification.com/tech/im...spd-manual.jpg

It might be a NP259 Transmission.

http://www.forelpublishing.com/demo/Demo20080.pdf

 

Thanks Col


That first picture is a Ford top loader 3 speed with the 65 and later bell housing bolt pattern.


I have never seen a picture of an NP259 actually identifying it as that.


I have also see the light duty transmission equipped with the B-W R10 OD unit. The NP259 is listed on some of the part suppliers sites as being used from 55-62 in Ford trucks and is also listed as using an overdrive for truck applications.
http://www.manualtransmissionpart.com/FORD-Truck-ID-Make-


I have attached scans of the Light Duty transmission diagram from my Canadian 57 truck parts manual.
I have also attached a couple pics of the light duty 3speed trans with and with out the R10 over drive.


Is this the NP 259 ? Or something else ?

 

I have no knowledge of the NP 259. The trans in your first illustration is a LD 3 speed. I believe they were a BW design and licensed to Ford to build, typical of what came in the F100s. They also had an R10 overdrive version similar to the one in the photos. The one in the photos appears to be a passenger car version, shorter, smaller OD, 23 spline input shaft as compared to the truck trans version.

 

See that is what I thought also that is was a Ford built transmission I have seen this trans called a Ford 191 Series but can not validate the accuracy of that it also listed as the Model C in the 57 preliminary parts manual for 1957.


So then what is the NP259 ?, as the NP259 is listed by a couple of the trans part Vendors for use in the cars for 61 and 62 and the Econoline behind the 144 6cyl and in ford trucks from 55 to 62.

 

1953/62 F100/250: Borg-Warner T-86 3 speed manual with non syncromesh 1st gear as standard equipment.

1953/55 F250's available with the optional Borg-Warner T-87 3 speed heavy duty transmission.

1956/66 F250's available with the optional Borg-Warner medium duty T-89 3 speed manual transmission.

1963/86 F100/250: Ford type 3.03 3 speed manual all syncromesh transmission as standard equipment.

Colonel: What the heck is a NP 259 transmission? Never seen or heard of any such thing.

 

As far as I'm aware the T86 is a top load transmission with a 6 bolt cover that could be had either with side sifters for a colum shift or top mounted for stick shift like in the jeeps. The one I posted appears to be something different from a T86

 

This is what i have found, N.D.
Ford 3sp Model 259 manual transmission parts, overhaul kits early Ford & Mercury's. - Drivetrain

 

I believe Jim is right. This is a Ford built 3 Speed Side loader transmission. It was used behind I6's and V8's from 55 to 62 and used different internals between the 6's and 8's with the V8's getting stronger bits. It is not a T86, although of similar internal design the Ford side load 3 speed is a different transmission.


It looks like Ford used the T86 in 57 in the T-bird then in 58 behind the FE engines.


Not sure where the 259 thing came from and it certainly is not a New Process transmission.


Hope this clears things up I know it has for me.


Thanks all.

 

I've used many Ford LD 3 speeds over the years, I still have two, one for a truck and one passenger car, they were replaced with OD trans. I've never heard them referred to as a 259, but I guess it's possible. I agree, they aren't NP trans..