The Ford Barn

Vanspeed · 12-22-2014, 11:39 AM

I am trying to convert a 36 trans to open drive. A guy on here has the parts to convert it from a 48 truck 3spd. trans. Can this be done or is the 36 trans completely different? Thanks.

DD931 · 12-22-2014, 12:48 PM

Vanspeed - read my PM. Norm

Charlie ny · 12-22-2014, 12:55 PM

Van,
This is easily done....all the internals from the truck trans will go into your case.
The one glitch might be the depth of your case. The cluster gear must be able to
drop deep enough into the case to allow the main drive gear to pass over the big
gear of the cluster. Get Mac Van Pelts book....you could not have more questions than Mac has answers in his book.
Just a simple caution....do not assume anything is ok to use....replace the
syncros and bearings and be aware that your '36 1st and rev slider (providing it is
not the early version with 6 internal splines) rev idler and cluster can be used if
those gears in the truck are not so good.
Minor hang ups such as 2nd gear fit to the output shaft and end play here and there are addressed in Macs book.
Charlie ny

Karl Wolf · 12-22-2014, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

I am trying to convert a 36 trans to open drive. A guy on here has the parts to convert it from a 48 truck 3spd. trans. Can this be done or is the 36 trans completely different? Thanks.

Check with Mac VanPelt... He's written a book on the early Ford transmission. Sells parts...

I'm almost positive that you'll have problems, the earlier box is different enough to make the combination you're trying impossible. The next series trans is the one you want- The one that does not have the locked in second gear...

Of course, transmission gears could have been changed already- Have you disassembled the box already?

Karl

Mart · 12-22-2014, 01:52 PM

You would need to fit the whole set of internals from the truck trans. In fact you'd be better just fitting the later trans. If the later trans is side shift you would need the correct top shift parts with the right fork.

Make sure the trans he is offering is the light pickup type trans, not a "Truck" trans as such.

Mart.

rotorwrench · 12-22-2014, 01:55 PM

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29/15 cluster/input wouldn't work but a 28/16 should. You would need to run the shifter top off a 37 through 50 type top shifter with the wide fork for the late type synchronizer assembly.

Charlie ny · 12-22-2014, 02:42 PM

Van,
I just finished building what you are talking about. rotorwrench brings up
the obvious that I forgot....you must have the correct shift tower...model 81a with
the double detents and the 3" 2nd and 3rd fork. The 29/15 cluster would not drop
deep enough into your 48 series case, which you should have unless changed some-
time long ago. If you dug up a 78 series case, which is deeper ,the 15t main drive
gear just makes it past the 29 tooth cluster.
To have a happy outcome get Mac VanPelts book before you but anything.
Charlie ny

Vanspeed · 12-22-2014, 06:39 PM

Sorry guys I guess I was not clear, I have done the swap before, using a set of 46 gears in my 38 case. I do not have the later gear set, all I have is the 36 trans. Norm has the correct open drive trans mount and main shaft. It seems to me like the main shaft is going to be a problem so I guess I will look for a later trans. Too bad, the 36 trans was cheap.

rotorwrench · 12-22-2014, 07:36 PM

The open drive was introduced in 42 so all of them had the late type shorty mainshaft and it has to work with late gears & synchro.

12-22-2014, 11:39 AM	#1
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,385	3spd. tranny question I am trying to convert a 36 trans to open drive. A guy on here has the parts to convert it from a 48 truck 3spd. trans. Can this be done or is the 36 trans completely different? Thanks. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

12-22-2014, 12:48 PM	#2
DD931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PA Poconos Posts: 723	Re: 3spd. tranny question Vanspeed - read my PM. Norm

12-22-2014, 12:55 PM	#3
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: 3spd. tranny question Van, This is easily done....all the internals from the truck trans will go into your case. The one glitch might be the depth of your case. The cluster gear must be able to drop deep enough into the case to allow the main drive gear to pass over the big gear of the cluster. Get Mac Van Pelts book....you could not have more questions than Mac has answers in his book. Just a simple caution....do not assume anything is ok to use....replace the syncros and bearings and be aware that your '36 1st and rev slider (providing it is not the early version with 6 internal splines) rev idler and cluster can be used if those gears in the truck are not so good. Minor hang ups such as 2nd gear fit to the output shaft and end play here and there are addressed in Macs book. Charlie ny

12-22-2014, 01:52 PM	#5
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,755	Re: 3spd. tranny question You would need to fit the whole set of internals from the truck trans. In fact you'd be better just fitting the later trans. If the later trans is side shift you would need the correct top shift parts with the right fork. Make sure the trans he is offering is the light pickup type trans, not a "Truck" trans as such. Mart.

12-22-2014, 01:55 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 3spd. tranny question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 29/15 cluster/input wouldn't work but a 28/16 should. You would need to run the shifter top off a 37 through 50 type top shifter with the wide fork for the late type synchronizer assembly.

12-22-2014, 02:42 PM	#7
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: 3spd. tranny question Van, I just finished building what you are talking about. rotorwrench brings up the obvious that I forgot....you must have the correct shift tower...model 81a with the double detents and the 3" 2nd and 3rd fork. The 29/15 cluster would not drop deep enough into your 48 series case, which you should have unless changed some- time long ago. If you dug up a 78 series case, which is deeper ,the 15t main drive gear just makes it past the 29 tooth cluster. To have a happy outcome get Mac VanPelts book before you but anything. Charlie ny

12-22-2014, 06:39 PM	#8
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,385	Re: 3spd. tranny question Sorry guys I guess I was not clear, I have done the swap before, using a set of 46 gears in my 38 case. I do not have the later gear set, all I have is the 36 trans. Norm has the correct open drive trans mount and main shaft. It seems to me like the main shaft is going to be a problem so I guess I will look for a later trans. Too bad, the 36 trans was cheap. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

12-22-2014, 07:36 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 3spd. tranny question The open drive was introduced in 42 so all of them had the late type shorty mainshaft and it has to work with late gears & synchro.