How's it going, new to the forum. Been around for awhile, just never signed up. I have a 1949 F-1 I am in the process of bring back to life. i was wondering if anyone could help me identify my transmission. I did some research on the vin and it appears to be a v8 truck yet the p.o. said it had a flat six, which he pulled. Now I know that a lot of old farmers swapped their flathead v8s for sixes for the torque, the tranny seems to possibly be an original four speed, I'm just not an expert. Are there any markings or numbers to look for, or if some one had a picture, that would be good. I'd have a picture if it wasn't howling wind and rain out right now, maybe tomorrow if it calms down (no garage, being yard built...weather permitting)

 

Pells49:
Reference your tranny question, Try Mac Van Pelt, flatheadv8.com, he knows the business and can answer your questions. Just have #s available to give him, and he can ID it for you on the phone. 18002997496. Ralph..Keep us posted on your build.

 

Cool, thanks for the info, I'll give it a try.

 

HI Pells,

Well I guess logic would dictate that if the truck has been re engined from a V8 to a I6, the transmission could also have been swapped out.

But here's the scoop on the 49 F1 transmissions. Two different 3-speed transmission assemblies were used on F-Series Trucks. The 1949 and early 1950 F-1 trucks were equiped with the standard 3 speed center shift (floor shifter) transmission. The late 1950 and 1951 F-1 trucks were equipped with the standard 3-speed remote shift transmission (column shift).

A heavy duty 3-speed center shift transmission was also optional on the F1. The casing on the Heavy Duty is deeper (almost a cube) as opposed to the standard 3 speed which was more "shoe box" shaped. A heavy duty 3-speed remote transmission was made but used only in the F3 and F5 Parcel Deliverys.

The clutch housing containing the clutch release mechanism is bolted to the front side of the transmission case on the 3-speed heavy duty transmission. The 3-speed standard transmission has the clutch housing cast as in integral part of the transmission case.

Also as an option on the F1 was a 4-speed center shift sliding spur gear type transmission.

So, if you have only 3 speeds and reverse, look underneath the truck and if the back section - the "Clutch Housing" (which is mounted behind the Flywheel Housing - both together today would be called the Bell Housing) is cast as part of the transmission case and not bolted on, you have a standard 3 speed. If it's bolted on to the transmission, it's a heavy duty 3-speed. If you have 4 speeds and reverse, (ok this is a test question) guess what transmission you have?

Tee hee - hope that helps.

Julie

 

Hey thanks for all the info, julie.
I would assume that I have a three speed except for the fact that the engine is out of the truck and I can't test that theory out. manually shifting the transmission it feels that it may be shifting into a fourth gear that is not reverse. now this transmission is the one that has three cylindrical, tubes extending front and back of the shifter on top of the transmission, would that be indication of a four speed?

 

yep thats a 4 speed i have that same tranny in my truck

 

cool, thanks mossyoak. Now for my next question, is the four speed like a standard three speed with a super low granny gear or is the highest gear going to allow higher top speed?

 

its a granny gear i belive i have never driven my truck though

 

Yep 95% of all the transmissions (with the exception of the overdrive transmissions) have a top gear (be it 3rd, 4th or 5th) ratioed at 1.0......Direct drive!

J!