Recently purchased a 1950 Ford F-3 with 239 c.i. V-8 flathead. The transmission on the truck is a 4 spd spur gear manual tranny. Unfortunately, this setup requires "double clutching". Seeking to upgrade the exisiting tranny with a later model "synchro" manual tranny. What if any later model tranny could be installed with minimal modifications?..Any information would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

 

May not be exactly what you are looking for but gives you some ideas.

http://www.cornhuskerrodandcustom.net/ytrans.htm

You can also get a 4 speed from one of the larger trucks it would have a synchro 4 speed.

 

If you go with the larger trucks transmissions, post '50, you will have to modify the drive shaft because the syncronized trannies are a bit longer. I think you might also have to modify the rear mount. You can tell the syncronized trannies from the non-syncronized by the shifting pattern. The syncronized trannies' reverse is over and up, not over and down like the non-sycronized. I personally like the non-syncro in my '49 F-2, I use it as a cheap anti-theft device. I fun watching someone try to drive it


'48-50 F-2 transmission


'52 F-6 transmission

If you go with the modern T-5 tranny conversion you have chop up your the frame cross member that the rear of the tranny sits on. Also, if you plan to use your truck for any serious hauling you have to us the World Class T-5. These have beefier internals than the standard T-5s found in S-10s and other cars. They are usually found in Mustangs, T-Birds and Camaros and are a lot more expensive than the lighter models.

 

Bobj, You are correct that the "conventional wisdom" is that an S-10 T-5 is OK behind just about any flathead, but the WC is needed for a 200+ HP modern engine. But I was looking at the Hot Rodders Journal, a slick $13 edition, at a newstand, and read an article about a guy with two megabuck roadsters. One had a 425 nailhead Buick and he was using an S-10 T-5 behind it! In the write up he said that he has used the S-10 T-5 behind all kinds of big engines without any problem. Personally I doubt he even drives this rod very much (it was at least a $50k show rod project) and I think it is a really poor place to try to save some money, but it could be were are under-rating these non-WC trannies.

 

Ross,

I don't have any personal experience with the T-5, just what I have read about them. I was thinking about upgrading the tranny in my F-1 panel and want to find out I could. The one common thought on a few site was about using the World Class for the heavier trucks.

 

i have a 52 F6 with the non synch 4speed would a synch 4speed out of a 63 f600 fit it has a e brake on it like the 52 what do you think