Hi guys quick question here iv got a 1952 ford F-2 with the 4-speed spur gear transmission, (please forgive my terminology if incorrect) so on the shift tower there are freeze plug/dust caps sealing what I am going to call the shift pins/guides I noticed there are 3 on the rear side but nothing on the front side...should there be? If so does anyone know what size they are? they seem smaller than the ones on the rear side. Any insight greatly appreciated! Also please feel free to correct my terminology as it all helps me to learn.

 

All of the shifter rail holes should have plugs, see below

 

​​​​​ yeah that's kind of what I thought...thankyou for sharing the diagram definitely helps.

 

I have to respectfully disagree with Ross. I dissembled the T9 from my F3 MH. There were no plugs in front shift rail tunnels (my terminology) Bought some, popped them in, maneuvered shifter, and the rails knocked them out. There are no counter bores to even hold them. Shift rails come right out to end. My parts pickup has no plugs, no counter bores. Spur gear is correct Ford name for this transmission.
Credit to a fellow on Studebaker Truck Talk for idea, which I implemented.
Guy wrote how-to for curbing T 9 leaks from shift rails...

1/8" flat stock long enough to cover three tunnels..

Bore holes roughly size of rails, not all the way through

Cut grooves connecting bores

drill 1/8" holes, one per tunnel, on bottom side, (have to angle drill )near end of tunnels. With small ginder, I used metal end mill in dremel, cut a 1/2" long shallow relief further back, up to holes you drilled.

Measure area on either side of center tunnel, then using this measurement, drill flatstock for #8 flathead screw. Using plate for guide, drill and tap on either side of center tunnel. Counter bore plate so screw head is flush.

He chose to grind relief in clutch cover for plate, I beveled the edges of plate so it would fit. I also shaped it to the tunnels, then peckered it with a needlescaler.
I went a step further and made a plug for vent on side of tunnel, then drilled/tapped base of tower for an 1/8" brass elbow. This is the vent. I shaved off threads, drilled it for cotter pin, and added a brass plumbing cap.

The reason for the bores in plate, and holes/reliefs in tunnels, is so your rails will not hydrolock with oil that gets by them. The man behind the idea claims his T9 stays much cleaner

I have done the mods, but the whole pickup is apart for restoration. Hope it works, was a fun project.

 

Thanks for the better info! That's a clever idea for keeping things cleaner.

 

Although not a Ford transmission, my 1958 Volvo 3-spd had the exact same setup with no plugs. The rails moved freely through very similar openings in the top of the trans case, and even plunged into the reverse switch to actuate it. Everything leaked on that (sort of like my 4 spd crashbox, so I just assumed that was acceptable "seepage".

It's odd that the diagram Ross posted has the expansion plugs, but I can definitely see them being knocked out.

 

Thank you so much for the added info! Definitely the route I will take. Do you have any pictures or videos of before & after or during the process?

 

I will try to post some, otherwise, may have to text them. Most likely be wednesday.

 

I’d be interested to see what this mod looks like as well…

Frank

 

Pm cell#, will text pictures.