How many teeth speedo gear should it have in it? 292cu 3 on tree Thanks

 

I started to look it up in my 58 parts catalog (should be the same) so I could give you an idea but quickly found out there are way too many variables to even give you a partial answer but it should be somewhere between 16 and 21 teeth. It depends on whether the transmission is the light or medium duty 3 speed, which rear axle ratio, and even which wheelbase. If you have that information I'd be glad to narrow it down or perhaps Bill (aka: "NumberDummy") will notice and check it in the 59 listings.

Lou Manglass

 

Thank you. Im not sure on the rear end does 3.10 sound right? How can I tell Light or Medium duty trans? It is a short bed. Thanks again.

 

Column shift or floor? (Column = light duty, floor = medium)
3.10 doesn't sound right, 4.10 would be more likely. It should be on the data plate.

 

I can think of 2 ways to tell the transmissions apart:
1. On the driver's side of the transmission check the shape of the side cover where the shift linkage connects to the transmission. If the bottom of the side cover is flat, it's a light duty transmission. If the bottom of the side cover is curved (bulge toward the ground), it's the medium duty trans. I believe that all 3 speeds were column shift as late as 1959.
2. In the "Trans" section of the dataplate (inside glove box door) the transmission code should either be "A" (light duty) or "D" (medium duty). CAUTION! This assumes the truck has the original drivetrain or exact replacement parts.

Axle ratio:
1. While looking at the data plate, check the "Axle" field for the axle code. If it is "01", the truck would have been originally equipped with a 3.70:1 axle ratio. That one seems to be pretty common.
2. The tag may still be on the axle. It is under one of the "pumpkin" bolts. IIRC it is near the fill plug.

There are more definitive methods to check the axle but not necessary unless you suspect your truck has a different driveline from original.

Lou Manglass

 

And...the tire size.

 

Here is the numbers plate and as far as I know it is all original other than paint and wheels. If someone could decode all this for me I would be very greatful. I am trying to learn all I can about the truck as I restore it. Thanks again.

 

The TIRE SIZE is also required to figure out which DRIVEN gear is the correct one.

110" Wheelbase.

E = Colonial White.

F106 = F100 2WD / 5,000 lbs. GVWR.

26F = Assembled June 26th, 1959.

A = Ford 3 Speed Light Duty Manual Transmission.

01 = Ford 9" Rear Axle / 3.70-1 / non Limited Slip / 3300 lb. Rear Axle Capacity.

5,000 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

158 Net HP @ 4,000 RPM.

 

215/70/r15 on front and 235/75/r15 on rear. thanks again

 

I just knew something like this would be posted.

Uh...there was no such thing as those tires sizes in the 1950's (1960's or 1970's either).

You'll have to find someone with a tire chart to convert the rear tire size to what was used back then, because the parts catalog doesn't list any of those sizes.

For examples: 6.70-15 / 7.10-15 / 7.60-15 / 8.00-15 / 8.20-15.

 

Thank you so much for your help. Is there any way to find out what size came on the truck?

 

6.70-15 BW's were standard, 7.10 & 7.60-15 BW's were optional. BW = Black Wall tires.

Also optional were 16" and 17" wheels, though one rarely sees 17" wheels on an F100, which were available thru 1966.

W/W = White Wall tires were a dealer installed accessory back then. Most trucks thru the 1970's did not have white wall tires.

W/W tires were only offered for 15" wheels.

 

Thank you for your help. I know I may ask some simple questions as I am just learning. Everyone on here has been so helpful. Thanks again.

 

Bill, you are way too much of a perfectionist...LOL! Seriously, thanks for the information.

A 235/75R15 is about the same diameter as a 7.60x15 but my 1958 catalog only shows a 6.70x15, 7.10x15, or 6.50x16 on a 3 speed F-100. Regardless of tire size, the light duty transmission lists the same drive gear and a 19 tooth driven gear for a 3.70:1 axle ratio. So you are looking for a 19 tooth gear. I see two part numbers: B5A 17322-B (6.70x15 tire) and B7C 17322-D (6.50x16 & 7.10x15). I don't know the difference as they are both 19 teeth.

Since you are using a larger diameter tire, the speedo may or may not be accurate. I say maybe since they are historically "optimistic" and it may bring the meter reading closer than it was originally. Check against a milepost or drive past one of those "your speed is.." radar signs to see where you stand. If the speedometer reads slower (or shows less distance) than you are actually traveling, you might want to try an 18 tooth gear.

BTW, it was a good question. Just required a lot of digging to acquire all the needed information for a in-the-ballpark estimate.

Lou Manglass

 

Thank you all. I might try the 18 tooth because of lead foot. just kidding thanks