Transmission question
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Yakima, WA
Transmission question
I have a 1948 F1 3sp light duty transmission (81A or 87A hard to read) that needs a cluster gear, 1st and reverse, and reverse idler gear. I have found a T87-D1 transmission. Are these two transmissions interchangeable? I know one is heavy duty and one is light duty but I believe they both have 28 teeth on one gear. Please help!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
You can swap the trannies one-for-one, with some changes to the driveshaft, but parts don't swap between them.
Look closely at the rear mount on the T87. If it has the mounting ears up near the output, then it's easy to swap. If the mount has legs that extend down to near the bottom of the case, it will not be an easy swap at all. That is the model that was used in F-2's and F-3's with a different crossmember.
Was there water in the original LD 3-sp? I can't imagine all that being wrong with it. Is your trans guy perhaps being very very particular? Common for 1st/Rev to be chipped up, others not so much.
Look closely at the rear mount on the T87. If it has the mounting ears up near the output, then it's easy to swap. If the mount has legs that extend down to near the bottom of the case, it will not be an easy swap at all. That is the model that was used in F-2's and F-3's with a different crossmember.
Was there water in the original LD 3-sp? I can't imagine all that being wrong with it. Is your trans guy perhaps being very very particular? Common for 1st/Rev to be chipped up, others not so much.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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Check eBay and call van pelt sales. Parts are available to repair the light duty if you go that direction.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Looks like either someone was impatient or the clutch was dragging. eBay is good so long as you know exactly what to look for. There are still plenty of complete trannies in running condition being yanked for modern drivetrains, watch around.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
Did you get that guy's trans in Walla Walla? Was it not what you needed or could use on its own?
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From: Yakima, WA
He is holding it for another possible buyer until later today. If he doesn't show or passes on it, then I will go take a look. If I don't have any luck, I plan on heading to the Portland swap meet next Saturday. I need to find out which transmission codes match up with mine, just in case I find one.
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Mac VanPelt has written a great manual on rebuilding the three speed . It is $30 well spent. He goes as far as to identify EVERY part needed for a particular gear set. Seems like there are transmission guys in each Early Ford Club. Look up your local club and you may find the parts or a donor trans.
I seen some good deals on side loader trans but you need to know what you are looking for. Back to Mac's book..........http://www.vanpeltsales.com
I seen some good deals on side loader trans but you need to know what you are looking for. Back to Mac's book..........http://www.vanpeltsales.com
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Milford, Michigan
He is holding it for another possible buyer until later today. If he doesn't show or passes on it, then I will go take a look. If I don't have any luck, I plan on heading to the Portland swap meet next Saturday. I need to find out which transmission codes match up with mine, just in case I find one.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
You can put ALL the internal parts from one into the other, but there was a design change in 51, coincides with the change to column shift. Mac VanPelt's book would tell which parts can individually interchanged. So your idea of sending the internal would have to include everything internal, very do-able.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 525
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From: Kenmore, NY
Dennis Carpenter has the cluster gear NOS; or at least he did 6 weeks ago when I bought mine from him.
You need to make sure of the gear counts when you order.
The rest of the parts were relatively inexpensive on ebay and through Van Pelt. In fact, I sent Mac VP a list of all of the parts I needed after I found the cluster gear, reverse, and first gears. Took him a few days to translate my list into available kits (to save me money-his suggestion!), but once I got the parts I was very pleased.
I haven't totaled the parts cost for everything, but I'd guess it was less than $500.00. A little labor on my part and I have a practically brand new 3 speed light duty transmission.
As an aside, if you have the original clutch plate, pressure plate, and throwout bearing assembly, I highly recommend you send them to Fort Wayne Clutch for rebuilding. All American materials installed and adjusted by American workers. Mine was less than $250.00, including shipping both ways, and turn-around was less than a week. My F1 isn't running yet, but I feel really comfortable with the workmanship.
John
You need to make sure of the gear counts when you order.
The rest of the parts were relatively inexpensive on ebay and through Van Pelt. In fact, I sent Mac VP a list of all of the parts I needed after I found the cluster gear, reverse, and first gears. Took him a few days to translate my list into available kits (to save me money-his suggestion!), but once I got the parts I was very pleased.
I haven't totaled the parts cost for everything, but I'd guess it was less than $500.00. A little labor on my part and I have a practically brand new 3 speed light duty transmission.
As an aside, if you have the original clutch plate, pressure plate, and throwout bearing assembly, I highly recommend you send them to Fort Wayne Clutch for rebuilding. All American materials installed and adjusted by American workers. Mine was less than $250.00, including shipping both ways, and turn-around was less than a week. My F1 isn't running yet, but I feel really comfortable with the workmanship.
John
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From: Yakima, WA
thank you for all of your help. This board is an absolute savior when it comes to answers. Thanks to 1950 I may have a bead on some gears locally. I will definitely get back to all of you if it doesn't pan out. Somebody only 45 miles away would be an incredible opportunity to meet as a supplier and another source of knowledge! thanks guys
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