The Ford Barn

curleeman · 04-14-2011, 11:35 AM

Need a little help from you guys again. Can anyone tell me what type of transmission is in my 1952 ford F1 1/2 ton pickup? The truck has a 239 ci flathead and 3 speed on the column. The VIN plate tells me the transmission is '3-HD', rear axle-3.92....I know the HD is for heavy duty but is this transmission a T-87,borg warner????

Not sure about it,any info would be appreciated...Thank you

gearhead1952 · 04-14-2011, 11:42 AM

The 3 spd on the column is the light duty 3 spd. The shift linkage would be on the side of the trans. Basically the same style of trans used in cars starting in the 30s.

rotorwrench · 04-14-2011, 07:05 PM

It would be interesting to know what the serial number codes before the actual linear number are. If it was F1R2DL it would confirm that it is an F1 with a 239 V8 made in 1952 at the Dallas plant. The "3HD" indicates a heavy duty 3-speed center shift transmission. As Gearhead1952 mentioned the side shift or "remote control" transmission was considered to be regular duty or light duty from 1948 thru 1952. It's possible either parts were traded somewhere in the past or the glove box lid was traded. There are a lot of chassis parts that can be traded around in the F1 series pick ups from 48 thru 52. The 3.92:1 rear axle ratio indicates it was geared for higher road speeds but that ratio was fairly common to the Dana 44 pick up rear axles.

Kerby

curleeman · 04-14-2011, 08:00 PM

Thanks rotorwrench...I do have the #'s...F1R2KC20049 I take it as: F1=1/2 ton pickup, R=V8 flathead, 2=1952 yr, KC= built in Kansas City,MO...Yeah who knows what parts were exchanged on my truck??? I'm not sure of the whole history,my grandpa passed away when I was very young and never got the chance to get the history...Thanks for the info...

Barry-ct · 04-15-2011, 06:38 AM

The side shift or remote control 3 speed did not appear until mid 1950. From 48-early 50, it was the LD center shift ( floor ) trans.

Barry

50 F-1

mtflat · 04-15-2011, 08:29 AM

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Crawl under with a flashlight and a scraper. The passenger side of the trans case will have a cast number T-87D and maybe WG. The back half of the bellhousing is bolted to the trans case. It comes apart in a chunk just about as long as it is wide. The case size is physically the same as the 4 spd - big and heavy.

The 3 spd LD is much smaller and the back half of the bellhousing is part of the trans case.

Both could be remote shifted - the HD version was used in F3 and F5 parcel delivery trucks so it's possible someone swapped one into your truck.

mercuryct · 10-13-2014, 11:04 AM

I can't tell for certain from the literature I've been digging into if the '52 F-1 with the 215 Six was available with overdrive. Anyone know?

04-14-2011, 11:35 AM	#1
curleeman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Haslet,Texas Posts: 23	1952 F1 truck transmission?? Need a little help from you guys again. Can anyone tell me what type of transmission is in my 1952 ford F1 1/2 ton pickup? The truck has a 239 ci flathead and 3 speed on the column. The VIN plate tells me the transmission is '3-HD', rear axle-3.92....I know the HD is for heavy duty but is this transmission a T-87,borg warner???? Not sure about it,any info would be appreciated...Thank you

04-14-2011, 11:42 AM	#2
gearhead1952 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Julesburg, Colorado Posts: 714	Re: 1952 F1 truck transmission?? The 3 spd on the column is the light duty 3 spd. The shift linkage would be on the side of the trans. Basically the same style of trans used in cars starting in the 30s.

04-14-2011, 07:05 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: 1952 F1 truck transmission?? It would be interesting to know what the serial number codes before the actual linear number are. If it was F1R2DL it would confirm that it is an F1 with a 239 V8 made in 1952 at the Dallas plant. The "3HD" indicates a heavy duty 3-speed center shift transmission. As Gearhead1952 mentioned the side shift or "remote control" transmission was considered to be regular duty or light duty from 1948 thru 1952. It's possible either parts were traded somewhere in the past or the glove box lid was traded. There are a lot of chassis parts that can be traded around in the F1 series pick ups from 48 thru 52. The 3.92:1 rear axle ratio indicates it was geared for higher road speeds but that ratio was fairly common to the Dana 44 pick up rear axles. Kerby

04-14-2011, 08:00 PM	#4
curleeman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Haslet,Texas Posts: 23	Re: 1952 F1 truck transmission?? Thanks rotorwrench...I do have the #'s...F1R2KC20049 I take it as: F1=1/2 ton pickup, R=V8 flathead, 2=1952 yr, KC= built in Kansas City,MO...Yeah who knows what parts were exchanged on my truck??? I'm not sure of the whole history,my grandpa passed away when I was very young and never got the chance to get the history...Thanks for the info...

04-15-2011, 06:38 AM	#5
Barry-ct Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Newington, Connecticut Posts: 1,374	Re: 1952 F1 truck transmission?? The side shift or remote control 3 speed did not appear until mid 1950. From 48-early 50, it was the LD center shift ( floor ) trans. Barry 50 F-1

04-15-2011, 08:29 AM	#6
mtflat Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalispell Montana Posts: 344	Re: 1952 F1 truck transmission?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Crawl under with a flashlight and a scraper. The passenger side of the trans case will have a cast number T-87D and maybe WG. The back half of the bellhousing is bolted to the trans case. It comes apart in a chunk just about as long as it is wide. The case size is physically the same as the 4 spd - big and heavy. The 3 spd LD is much smaller and the back half of the bellhousing is part of the trans case. Both could be remote shifted - the HD version was used in F3 and F5 parcel delivery trucks so it's possible someone swapped one into your truck.

10-13-2014, 11:04 AM	#7
mercuryct Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 15	Re: 1952 F1 truck transmission?? I can't tell for certain from the literature I've been digging into if the '52 F-1 with the 215 Six was available with overdrive. Anyone know?