Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Is this kit still made ?
If so by whom ?

Also, If you have such Kit , not going to use… I would like to purchase it… used OK also !

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Is Cling's still in business? http://clingsaftermarket.com/addtocart.asp?prod=3000

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Also try Bert's, (800) 321-1931. I don' know the current status but I think they used to have them.

Charge Stephens

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Snyder's Antiuqes sells the Cling adapter kit.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=978885&cat=0

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Hi Hardtimes,
If you don’t mind me asking. What is the reason for wanting to fit a 39 trans to the back of an A/B engine?
Are there any advantages to the later trans on the A or B engine?

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

I have had the V8 trans in a previous Model A and am getting ready to put another in a different car.
I bought a kit from clings about 3 months ago. To my knowledge, they’re still doing their thing.
I just don’t like the original non synchro trans.
I also prefer the gear ratio in the 39.
No difference on final drive obviously.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

The main reason for installing a later later trans is that it has synchros, which the Model A trans does not have.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Is this roughly cost-competitive with the Mitchell synchro? Not sure what the going rate for a’39 transmission is.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Thank you Gents, much appreciated.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

I put a 1935 trans in. It does not have great synchros but the second gear ratio is much better than the Model A trans. The 1935-1938 transmissions have the better gear ratios and Ford improved the synchros every couple of years but the 1939 (and later gears put into the earlier cases) has the best synchro's of the series.
Mitchell's also offers a sychro trans with improved gear ratios. I think they run about $2500 plus shipping? So a 1939 at about $800 to $900 plus the adapter kit at about $700 adds up to $1600 but when you add two separate shipping costs it would be about 3/4's the cost of the Mitchell but the Mitchell has new gears with a warranty from a good supplier in the hobby.
Part of my choice of the 1935 trans was that it gave me the ratios and I would live with the weaker synchro's because the earlier transmissions are about half the cost of the 1939's.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

What's the impact of "weaker" synchros? Like, they fail in fewer miles, or they only sort of work?

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

The only problem I observed with the earlier syncs is that you couldn't shift quite as fast. You should be able to get a hundred thousand plus miles on a properly rebuilt transmission so I have never noticed the difference in life between my '32 with the original transmission and a '39 transmission.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

1930's gearboxes are rare here but I have a 1935 one in the workshop. If the synchros were updated every couple of years, were there changes made to the case? In other words, can later gears etc be put into the 1935 case?
That Clings adapter doesn't look like it would work for me but I'd have to see the other side of it.
The more I think about it, maybe a Mitchell at about $5,000 is the better way to go because it would cost big $ to graft the '35 box onto the A flywheel housing and be able to mount the clutch and brake pedals.

Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Here’s the RHD adapter.

https://www.clingsaftermarket.com/ad....asp?prod=2000

This page breaks down the different gearbox types.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ed-options.htm

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Sorry for the confusion. When I said "weaker", I meant they were not as good at synchronizing. I don't know that they won't last just as long as the 1939 synchros. The 1939 (and 40-4?) gears and sychro's can be fit into the older cases. Some cases with some gearsets require some grinding for clearance. I don't know the exact combinations but you cannot just change the synchros, you must change the entire gearset and shafts.
Cling's has the right hand version of the adapter.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Thanks alexiskai and GeneBob. Very encouraging. I'll do some more research on switching parts from a '39 gearbox. I'll need an input shaft at least because the one in the gearbox now is quite rusty. The gears change smoothly though and there is no water in there

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

So according to the link that Alexskai posted, the later V-8 gears will fit in the "B" box. This sounds like the way the go with a Model A instead of adapting a V-8 box using the Cling adaptor kit. And a whole lot cheaper.

Or did I miss something?

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

You still need the parts of the kit that mount the pedals and support the wishbone. I am not sure they will work with the "B" transmission.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Not sure it would be cheaper – as Charlie says, you still have to adapt the B transmission to the A motor. It doesn't bolt right on. And it seems like there would be a greater supply (and thus lower cost) for V8 transmission housings and parts.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

I think most parts are interchangable 32-39. I have a mix and match with a 37 case, 38 gear set, 39 synchro. I have the 39 gearset which came in the 37 case when I bought it but I liked the 38 ratios better. Van Pelt mentioned above has about everything you need to know about these trans. Buy his book.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

I called Van Pelt about swapping out the gears/synchros and the person I spoke with said it would be very expensive to buy the whole set from them. He suggested finding the 39 or the 40-48? gears and synchros in a trans, then buying the parts that need to be replaced from Van Pelt.
The attachment of the Model B trans is different than the Model A so you have to match the flywheel housing/oil pan or something like that.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Thanks, I was thinking since the A and B blocks were basically the same the B trans would bolt up.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

All I have to say about it all is that I have a Mitchell transmission and I love it. Still no synchro for first gear, Steve Mitchell tells me that there is simply not enough room in the case for them (for anybody that cares the synchros they use are from an early Mustang trans). They will sell you a trans with the stock ratios, or, they offer one with 15% higher second gear, and you can also get it with 15% higher first gear. Mine has the stock gear ratios (I bought it used) if given the opportunity I would get the higher second gear in a heartbeat. I would not get the higher first gear because you lose your “parade gear”. Also, I would add that I have never done business with anyone as nice as Cyndi and Steve Mitchell (Mel Gross is up there too).

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Ruth,

The blocks are very similar, the pan and flywheel housings are very different.
The flywheel can be used in either case, the "B" is lighter stk and well, others are given a diet.
I have both the '39 box conversion and the T5 conversion. Both work well, it just depends on the application.

John

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

How would you describe the optimal application for each of those?

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

For me, the '39 trans with Mitchell OD is good for touring and parading.
Mine has a healthy flathead motor and will cruise all day long.

My other coop is more of a hotrod, QC rearend, T5 and OHV motor.
Full synchro and quicker to shift with really light flywheel.
It also makes removing trans for access to clutch easier with open driveline.

Thanks for asking, YMMV, John

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Hey Floats,
I use a zephyr gear set… in the ‘39 ford gear box.
Best synchros for more smooth shifting , zephyr gear set for higher gear ratio… second gear.
There are TWO zephyr gear set ratios.. better/ best.
Van Pelt trans book is worth the $.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Update on availability of the Cling's adapter. As you may know, Dennis Cling retired earlier this year. Bert's Model A Store took over manufacturing the V8 transmission adapter. I've been informed that the first production run is being shipped out now to those on the waiting list. Pricing when it goes on the Bert's website will be $695, same as it was before.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Very good news!

Thank you
J

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

Advantages of the later box is much better gear ratios, synchro 2nd & 3rd and they are stronger. In the B case, and V8 from '32-'48 Ford cases, you can put any gear set, '32-'48 Ford and even early Lincoln Zephyr gears. The Zephyr gears have different ratios too, and are sometimes preferred by racers.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

If you ever drive a car with a Mitchell transmission in it you will never want to go back to the original, it’s that good. If you REALLY enjoy the challenge of drive a non synchro transmission, the by all means, do it. In addition, Mitchell offers a better first gear ratio than original (not quite so low) and a better second gear ratio (higher than stock, much better of a spit between 2nd and 3rd. Ford advertised that a woman could drive a Model A by only using 2nd gear (not first and not 3rd) obviously 2nd gear would have to be pretty low to allow for that. Just so you know, only 2nd and 3rd have synchros, there is not enough room in the case to have synchros on 1st as well. You are still going to have to come to a full stop before shifting into 1st. FWIW the synchros used are from a 60’s Mustang. Steve Mitchell’s father started out designing the synchro trans so his wife (Steve’s mother) could drive a model A. It’s only a matter of a few hours to swap one in because they are exactly the same on the outside.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

We’re all entitled to our opinions. I don’t find driving the original unsynchronized a challenge and part of the ,model a experience. I can drive some of my more modern manual transmission cars for the synchronized experience.

The Mitchell is a nice transmission, and is comparable to the 39 trans people also like to use. I’m glad we still have choices in the transmission area.

Re: Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.
 

I added a '39 Trans. My upgraded "A" engine now puts out 85 HP. I didn't want abuse that little Model A transmission.