Gearbox question
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Joined: Oct 2023
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From: LA ROCHELLE
Gearbox question
Hello everyone,
What gearboxes can be coupled to a 223 engine? My truck is equipped with a Muncie SM420 gearbox and the original bell housing but I think that if one day I have to replace it, it might be difficult to find an original gearbox? Is it common to find one in the United States? because I looked on ebay but I can't find anything
What gearboxes can be coupled to a 223 engine? My truck is equipped with a Muncie SM420 gearbox and the original bell housing but I think that if one day I have to replace it, it might be difficult to find an original gearbox? Is it common to find one in the United States? because I looked on ebay but I can't find anything
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
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From: Tri Cities, TN
I think you need to look at the chassis section of your shop manual to see what Ford would have used. But GM used the SM420 for many years and there are plenty of them left in salvage yards. Rebuild parts are plentiful if you have a problem with your transmission and would be a lot less expensive that having to pay shipping on a complete transmission to France.
Also, any of these transmissions are going to be very old and in unknown condition.
Also, any of these transmissions are going to be very old and in unknown condition.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Lehigh Valley, Penna.
If your SM420 is in good working condition now I doubt you will ever wear it out. We ran one behind a Chevy 327 and 348 years ago in a larger truck, hauling more weight than you ever will, and never had problems. I also ran one behind a small block Chevy that was swapped into a ‘43 Navy bomb service truck and abused pretty hard off road. Never had an issue with that trans.
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From: LA ROCHELLE
I don't really know what condition it is in as I have never seen the truck run, all I know is that I can shift with the stick and when I shift and turn the engine by hand the gearbox output spins. I changed the oil recently, first I had water (I think condensation) then used oil. After putting in clean oil I spun the gearbox output by hand for a little while to get the oil everywhere and it felt like the gears shifted a little better as it was a little rough at first but I also think it is a pretty manly gearbox so it didn't surprise me too much.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2025
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ADELEANDRE, First, in case no one else has said it, and assuming you are not an American living in France, well done on such clear communication in English. I am an American living in Germany and I would never want to write into a German forum with my German. Not to say that I don't use Herr Google to translate, but I have found that he is not as reliable as I would like.
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From: LA ROCHELLE
Thank you! Oh no I am indeed a pure French person but I always reread the French translation before publishing and I often rephrase it so that it makes sense in English, it is up to me to make the effort to be understandable and not to the members of the forum who communicate in English to do so.
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Tuned
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Thank you! Oh no I am indeed a pure French person but I always reread the French translation before publishing and I often rephrase it so that it makes sense in English, it is up to me to make the effort to be understandable and not to the members of the forum who communicate in English to do so.
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From: LA ROCHELLE
German is a complex language, English is simpler I think. The truck will remain globally original apart from the wheels which have already been changed and I will put some comfort elements, a rear view camera hidden in the sun visor, a Retrosound car radio and that will be all for the modifications in principle.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2025
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German is a complex language, English is simpler I think. The truck will remain globally original apart from the wheels which have already been changed and I will put some comfort elements, a rear view camera hidden in the sun visor, a Retrosound car radio and that will be all for the modifications in principle.
That said, being this is about cool old trucks, I like the direction you are going. All the little modifications you have mentioned sound cool and or practicable.
My truck is back in the United States at the moment, but I would like to bring it to Germany, and one modification that I am sure I would make for myself is adding power steering. Roads and parking is tight over here, and I found the lack of power steering the one thing that worries me, especially as I get older. And while my old '66 turns and is a dream to drive (especially for a 58 year old truck) it does take some extra effort when sitting still. So, I always make sure I am rolling a bit as I turn the wheel, but in tight places... Well you get the idea.
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From: LA ROCHELLE
For French, I know that many people find it a complicated language but it's also my native language so it's very simple for me... for power steering there are great electrical systems now that seem to work very well, I might switch to them one day too, I'll see in the future when I've spent a bit of time behind the wheel
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2025
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For French, I know that many people find it a complicated language but it's also my native language so it's very simple for me... for power steering there are great electrical systems now that seem to work very well, I might switch to them one day too, I'll see in the future when I've spent a bit of time behind the wheel
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From: LA ROCHELLE
Thank you very much for your suggestion, do you have a picture of your 66? You must be looking forward to it! It must be a bit difficult being far from home and in a very different country! It is always a pleasure to post what I am doing and to have everyone's opinions, which helps enormously to know what to do or not to do. Thank you for this discussion which was very enjoyable.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2025
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Thank you very much for your suggestion, do you have a picture of your 66? You must be looking forward to it! It must be a bit difficult being far from home and in a very different country! It is always a pleasure to post what I am doing and to have everyone's opinions, which helps enormously to know what to do or not to do. Thank you for this discussion which was very enjoyable.
There are many places to talk about old Ford trucks, but this so far has been the best forum I have joined. And thank you as well, I have enjoyed the discussion, and wish you all the best on your build. Reach out if I can be of any help, and maybe one day if and when I can get Lucy on this side of the pond, I will plan a road trip to France, bring a French dictionary and if it suits everyone, meet up.
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From: LA ROCHELLE
I'll take a look at the pictures, indeed we quickly fall "in love" with these "old vehicles"!! I also have a 1967 Mustang and a 1972 VW Beetle. I haven't found anything better than this forum to discuss the F100 either. Looking forward to maybe meeting up in France one day!
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