My 1950 has a non syncro 4 speed, and I'd like to upgrade it. At this stage, I'm keeping the 750x17s on the original rear axle.
It looks to me that I may have some options: GM automatic, Mopar automatic, late Ford small block automatic, Toyota Crown 4 speed overdrive automatic (only for pre 1949 flatties?).
I think I'd like to stay with a standard...is the Mustang Tremac 5 speed the way to go, or is there something else I can use? Is 5th an overdrive ratio? I'd like to get up to an overdrive ratio without changing the rear end.
I tried to crawl under my '51 Studebaker to have a look at it's od unit (I wasn't very successful....I'm pretty big, and the stude's pretty close to the ground, especially with two flat tires)...has anyone tried to hook one of these up to the back of a tranny like mine? Or maybe offenhauser made an adapter to hook up a flathead to a studebaker tranny and I could slip in the tranny and od?
You guys always have lts of good advice. Thanks. Keith.

 

The Chevy S10/GMC S15 T5 is supposed to be the hot ticket. That's the one that the Cornhusker conversion is made for. The Mustang T5 will have the shifter located too far back for the hole in the floor. I am considering this for my 1950 F-1 in the future.

 

Travis;
Thanks for the info. Regards.......Keith.

 

 

Hey Tim;
Sorry to jump back in to this thread......but I just got back home to a snowy cold Canada from 2 weeks in sunny Florida, Louisiana, and Texas........and I can't seem to do anything on this site. I've had to change my password 3 times (and it still doesn't work in the chapters), I lost my classified ads, and I can't access the online store....geez, I'd think that would still work! Did I lose my mind when I was away, or is anyone else having trouble with the new format? Thanks.......Keith.

 

There are always more than two ways getting from point A to B. There is a synchronized transmission that is a bolt in operation for your truck, the f-6 model trucks that are equiped with the 6-cylinder (M-series) engine used the 4-speed synchro-silent transmission as standard euipment. It is also optional equipment in the F-4,5,6 with the R-series 8-cylinder and H-series 6-cylinder. This is straight out of the 1949-51 Ford F-series Trucks Shop Manual( with the 52 supplement). This is also a very good reference. My next suggestion would be to find the 5-seed overdrive transmission that was standard in the F-7 series, there is also a non-overdrive that was standard in the F-8 and optional in the F-7, however, I can not tell from the diagrams and it doesn't state it explicitaly that these transmissions have synchros, they don't appear to. I don't seem to find the overdrive ratio listed anywhere in the text, maybe someone out there knows? The only problem is insuring that there would not be any clearance problems, the cabs on the big trucks may set higher of the frames than the f-1,2,3. Just some suggestions.

 

bpoznich;

Thanks for some good ideas. You're correct, I checked my salesmans 1950 TRUCK HANDBOOK, and the F-7 with the "NEW ROUGE 337 TRUCK V-8", came with the "heavy five-speed overdrive type transmission standard, with constant mesh helical gears in third, fourth, and overdrive speeds, engaged by sliding gear collars for silent operation and easy shifting"......."direct in fifth type optional". Overdrive ratio is .799:1. My 17 inch tires have an outside diameter of 34 inches; I'm guessing that the 20 inchers on the F-7 have an outside diameter of 39 or 40 inches (I'm guessing, I'll measure tomorrow), but that would still give an overdrive final drive with the 17 inch wheels. Worth checking out!

My 1950 truck handbook seems to indicate that the F-4, F-5, and F-6 all have the spur gear 4-speed transmission, but that may have changed in '51! It's a good start.

Thanks.........Keith.

 

Keith, I haven't had trouble with the new format, but as this thread shows there was some bleeding between threads when the change took place.

Re: the rear ends: The shop manual p. 375 shows the od 5 spd std in F7 and optional in F8 to have helical gears in 3,4, and od with spur gears 1,2 and R.

 

Tim; Thanks.......Keith.

 

the t-98 syncro tranny in the f6 will bolt an 8 cyl flathead. i don't believe the trannys out of the f7 and f8's will fit anything but the
big 337 ci flatheads. tim

 

Im looking to swap my trans in my 1940 1 1/2 ton
to a sync trans also what would be a good trans
to put in? would the f6 trans work?

DAn

 

A Warner T98 or T98A should be bolt on replacements, that is what I believe was used in the F-6 with M series, and also later Ford Trucks 53-56 or maybe thru to 64. They should have both large and small bellhousing patterns on them. After that Ford went to the T18, T19, and NP435 which probably will not fit the flathead. When swapping other transmissions in, especially with larger trucks think about the emergency brake as they were driveline brakes mounted on the back of the transmission.

 

2speed, is the T-98 or T-98A both 5-speed overdrives??? If so, this is a good solution for lots of guys that wnat a stock appereance, but a taller gear!

 

No they are just syncro 4 speeds. 5sp OD's are rare and are only with the larger trucks. F-7, and then into F-700, F-750's. There are two versions a light duty and heavy duty. I don't know what make or numbers they are....I've been looking for one for a while. I know that Clarks might work....haven't found any to try yet.

 

I was thinking of trying a trans from a 1969
F500 it looks like it has both bolt patterns on it
and has the brake drum on it also.

Dan