3 speed?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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3 speed?
This might seem like kind of a strange question, but you guys should be used to those by now so I will ask anyway. I am working with a 56 f-100 that had a 292 mounted in it. I havent' decided whether or not that is staying (it is advertised in the classified section now). If it can be sold for a decent price, plans are to put body on a stretched 80's bronco running gear. Anyway, if we keep it, we are looking for a 3 speed tranny to mount behind the 292. Were the 3 speed trannys in those universal throughout the 50's? If not, which years were the same? Or, am I way off on what I should be asking? Looking forward to your suggestions. This site rocks.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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3 speed?
You need to get with this guy:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...oto=nextnewest
He's in Iowa getting rid of a 60 4x4 running gear, the 59-60's are as close as you'll get for mixing and matching with your '56.
As far as the trannies go, this at first looks confusing, but falls into place. Y-block/223 bellhousings come without or with mounting ears for sidemounts (truck), and trucks have two tranny patterns. Big index hole (5.125) with wide bolt pattern is for truck big/heavyduty 3/4/5 speeds. Small index hole (4.6875") with narrow bolt pattern is used for regular 3 speeds, both pickup and car. Trucks and some HD cars used large 1-3/8" input shaft, reg cars used smaller 1"(?)input shaft, both stickout length 7".
Bottom line, find a Pickup 3 speed to get the big input shaft, that matches whichever bolt pattern is on your bellhousing. If it's the narrow pattern, you can use either the 50's BW tranny or a 63-64 Ford Pickup Top loader 3 speed (which some will say is better, it's what's in my '59). Around 65 Ford started switching around bolt patterns, index hole sizes, and input shaft lengths and diameters.
Good Luck!
Brett
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...oto=nextnewest
He's in Iowa getting rid of a 60 4x4 running gear, the 59-60's are as close as you'll get for mixing and matching with your '56.
As far as the trannies go, this at first looks confusing, but falls into place. Y-block/223 bellhousings come without or with mounting ears for sidemounts (truck), and trucks have two tranny patterns. Big index hole (5.125) with wide bolt pattern is for truck big/heavyduty 3/4/5 speeds. Small index hole (4.6875") with narrow bolt pattern is used for regular 3 speeds, both pickup and car. Trucks and some HD cars used large 1-3/8" input shaft, reg cars used smaller 1"(?)input shaft, both stickout length 7".
Bottom line, find a Pickup 3 speed to get the big input shaft, that matches whichever bolt pattern is on your bellhousing. If it's the narrow pattern, you can use either the 50's BW tranny or a 63-64 Ford Pickup Top loader 3 speed (which some will say is better, it's what's in my '59). Around 65 Ford started switching around bolt patterns, index hole sizes, and input shaft lengths and diameters.
Good Luck!
Brett
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
3 speed?
We just went thru that excercise recently.
Basically there are 3 different 3spds used that will bolt to a Y Block bell.
You need an old Hollanders to decipher the codes as 1st gear ratios differ quite a bit depending on original application since they were used in everything from 6 bangers to FE's.
A 2.71 or 2.59 1st would probably be best for a 292 and a 3.50 rear. Those were common setups. A 3.41 1st was used in many 6 bangers, especially the HD Econoline.
There are also differences in spline counts/clutch and plate so it takes some digging if you cant find it all in one place.
The Ford built with the 9 bolt top cover is a good unit with full Hollanders ID support.
Basically there are 3 different 3spds used that will bolt to a Y Block bell.
You need an old Hollanders to decipher the codes as 1st gear ratios differ quite a bit depending on original application since they were used in everything from 6 bangers to FE's.
A 2.71 or 2.59 1st would probably be best for a 292 and a 3.50 rear. Those were common setups. A 3.41 1st was used in many 6 bangers, especially the HD Econoline.
There are also differences in spline counts/clutch and plate so it takes some digging if you cant find it all in one place.
The Ford built with the 9 bolt top cover is a good unit with full Hollanders ID support.
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3 speed?
Ok, so if it is the narrow patter, most 50's 3spds with the same pattern should work? - (what is BW?) How does the crossmember/support for the tranny's mate up? I am a true rookie at this, and I haven't even seen the truck yet. I am posting based on descriptions over the phone with my dad and trying to get info for him. (This is his project, as I have my 79).
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3 speed?
'53 thru '64 pickups don't have any tranny support. The motor mounts at the front and the bellhousing has mounts that sit on the crossmember between the rear hangers for the front springs ( this setup is similar in both Ford and Ch**y trucks of the period ). The original trannies are very short with hardly any tailhousing and also have provisions for a bracket on the driver's side that is part of the clutch release mechanism. The lack of any tranny support simplifies the installation of other trannies. The clutch release bracket is the only stumbling block and of course driveshaft length.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Owasso Oklahoma USA
3 speed?
I have a 3 speed trans from a 56 F100 that I could sell if you are interested.
email me at rhughes76@***.net
email me at rhughes76@***.net
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Southern New Hampshire
3 speed?
BW is Borg Warner, a major OEM to Ford at the time.
Decide if you want a column shift or a center shift. Column shifters appear to be more readily available in the 9 bolt top cover type. These were built 61-64 across many Fomoco lines in cars and trucks. The post 64 had mounting holes for either wide or narrow pattern. Im not sure what aftermarket shifters work on these.
The 55 F100 rolling frame/ 292 engine I have out back is using a 63 Galaxie tranny with the long tailshaft to a 9". Dont know if that is a problem because of the mounting stress but its been on this thing for ages.
OTOH a F250 has a 2 piece driveshaft so its pretty much limited to the truck tailshaft.
Decide if you want a column shift or a center shift. Column shifters appear to be more readily available in the 9 bolt top cover type. These were built 61-64 across many Fomoco lines in cars and trucks. The post 64 had mounting holes for either wide or narrow pattern. Im not sure what aftermarket shifters work on these.
The 55 F100 rolling frame/ 292 engine I have out back is using a 63 Galaxie tranny with the long tailshaft to a 9". Dont know if that is a problem because of the mounting stress but its been on this thing for ages.
OTOH a F250 has a 2 piece driveshaft so its pretty much limited to the truck tailshaft.
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3 speed?
Thanks for all the info guys.
roger - thanks for the offer, but OK is a long way from minnesota
roger - thanks for the offer, but OK is a long way from minnesota
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From: Owasso Oklahoma USA
3 speed?
79posi
I got the trans from a guy in Maryland that was customizing his truck and selling the original stuff. UPS shipping was not that bad. If you give me your city and zip I can get the shipping cost from the UPS website. I actually have a couple of the 3 speeds in my garage. This one was rebuilt. The only thing I did to it was replace the drain plug. I am now looking at putting in a T5 5 speed. My original 3 speed is getting hard to shift without grinding the gears.
Roger
I got the trans from a guy in Maryland that was customizing his truck and selling the original stuff. UPS shipping was not that bad. If you give me your city and zip I can get the shipping cost from the UPS website. I actually have a couple of the 3 speeds in my garage. This one was rebuilt. The only thing I did to it was replace the drain plug. I am now looking at putting in a T5 5 speed. My original 3 speed is getting hard to shift without grinding the gears.
Roger
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