Tranny change out
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Junior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 69
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From: Redlands, Calif.
Tranny change out
I have a question for the experts...I have a four speed tranny behind a 8BA 239CI, '48.truck. I'd like to go to a 3 speed top loader, perhaps, with an overdrive,but keep my existing bell housing cause it goes well with the engine. Would appreciate any ideas on a good tranny that will hook up simply, cause I'm simple, thats most cost effective and one that I won't have any problems with. I will be driving it alot on the street, no racing, but would like to be able to spin the tires alittle. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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ego, there are quite a few posts from the past on 48-60 forum. also, try msn flathead forum. v8bob and moefuzz have an extremely detailed document on ALL bellhousings and oil pans. it's about 60 pages and well worth the time to study. these guys spent a lot of time putting this together!! also, visit moe's garage on the net. between the fte and msn forums, you should be able to answer all questions on your project.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
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From: springfield il
heavy four speed ? if it is ya gotta find the heavy 3 from the same time frame as the heavy and light duty trannies have different tranny to bellhousing mounting patterns . i am in the process { not quite the same as mine is a 53, but give you an idea .} of switching from a light buty t-85 to a heavy t-98 four speed . lots of lil things besides diff bellhousings , to make the switch on mine . had to go from a one peice drive shaft to a two peice , bigger clutch linkage bracket that mounts on the tranny , went from a slip yoke { 3 speed } to the saddle the big trucks use on the output on the trannies .. just some of the lil' nitpicking things that are at present slowing me down and driving me crazy .... oh and did i mention the cross shaft / ujoint i gotta go find . one side a bigger size the other a smaller size ........ give me a lil' bit and i'll be back to edit / add more !!!!!!!!!!!!
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 257
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From: Minnesota
Shouldn't a '42-'50 truck light duty 3 spd just bolt in, the 1/2 bell on the engine should match and the clutch setup should be the same. I know some of the larger trucks had a different cross member under the trans, but assuming you have a 1/2 ton based on your F150 designation. You will need a different drive shaft since the light duty has a splined output and the 4spd has the saddle output. That will not give you the overdrive though and from what I have seen has pretty weak gears (I have yet to find one with good gears)
There are a lot of people swapping in the 80s S10 T5 transmission, search here for that swap. Your setup should take the after market parts to do this swap also. It is also possible that the trans side of the 1/2 bell on your setup will unbolt and can be used as an adapter for swapping in a newer style transmission.
There are a lot of people swapping in the 80s S10 T5 transmission, search here for that swap. Your setup should take the after market parts to do this swap also. It is also possible that the trans side of the 1/2 bell on your setup will unbolt and can be used as an adapter for swapping in a newer style transmission.
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