I'm still working on the '60 F100, but just picked up this '59 F250 last Saturday.




This will go in it--a rebuilt 351W:



I plan to build this truck to be a basic, old-school, built-Ford-tough truck. While the 60 has pretty good paint and is mostly stock, this 3/4 ton 59 will be used for hauling, occasional towing and work in general. I don't want to have to worry about scratching the paint, keeping things original, etc., at least not for now. I plan to put an NP435 transmission in it. I'm not interested in an automatic. My question: how should I check out a used manual transmission that is out of the vehicle? Should it be able to shift through all its gears w/o use of the clutch...even the non-synchro 1st?

 

Wow another truck to rewire! That's nice - looks like you've caught the bug.

Just turn the trnasmission by hand and move the shift forks through all the gears. It's turning slowly enough that it will shift through all the gears. Do you have the old clutch plate for it? If so stick it on the splines and use it to turn the input shaft.

Might not hurt to take off the cover and have a look inside for any broken teeth o rmetal fragments.

 

OK, thanks...good idea using the disc to turn the shaft.

 

If you're not going to use the clutch plate again, drill a hole through it about an inch from the outer edge just big enough to put a screw driver through to use as a handle to spin the tranny!

You could probably get one of the neighbor kids to turn that for you for an hour for a dollar!

 

You haven't had to pay a kid lately, have you?

 

I think the last time I had one turn a manual transmission I was looking at was about 1987!

 

Tumblin; thats a good clean looking 59 you got there! I like the stance. looks like ya got space for a few more.

Wally

 

I wish that were my space Wally. That's just where I'm storing it for now. I live in a friggin HOA. Oh well, it's probably good that I don't have room for a few more. I like your truck too and it sounds like you're doing some good mods.