What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Well, a big thank you to you guys for your insights

After i pulled the side cover i discovered a chipped gear and bit of metal trapped between the gears below it

so, i'd like to see if i can find another trans to swap in

the truck is a '53 Panel - attached are photos

what years will work?

thank you again guys

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1771800979

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1771801008

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1771800987

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1771800995

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1771800969

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

does it work after you cleaned out the bits of steel? It may run fine as is, most old trannys have chips in their gears. they are not to rebuild also , good luck!

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Welcome to another truck guy here at Fordbarn. I will assume you aren't going for strictly original options since you asked. Here's my best answer though. A borg-warner T5 5sp overdrive manual box from a chevy S10. I think it was in 1993 they improved the T5 with better bearings and synchros. With those updates it's called a WC version for 'world class'. I had a stock 3 speed in my '47 half ton for 8 years and installed the T5 2 years ago. You can find the adapter bellhousing quite easily. Totally different driving experience. End of rant.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

that's an interesting idea

are there any build specs for this?

i assume a drive shaft shortening.


a car club also mentioned that - but, not sure hot to implement

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

it does not spin now
that little bit is wedged in good, IF i get that out, should i be able to spin the trans by hand?

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Should be able to but there's a good chance some smaller bits are still swirling around in there. If you were desperate for transportation or marooned in the desert, it would be a good idea, but somehow I don't think that's the case. There is TONS of T5 specs on the 'net. Many parts mix and match, but since it's a pickup, I'm gonna stick to the S10 option. Some say the lower 1st gear isn't what most people want, but I prefer. Most of these trans (if not S10) have the shifter way back on the tailshaft, totally wrong for a pickup with a bench seat. And yes, driveshaft shortened, but mine was pretty cheap and well worth it.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

I had a '53 F100 p/u several year ago as my daily driver. The 4:11 rear end with the stock 3 speed wasn't able to comfortably handle highway speeds so I swapped in a Borg Warner R10 overdrive. Wow, what a difference that made. After the swap, it was a completely different truck...smooth shifting and when it dropped into overdrive it settled down and cruised at much lower RPM's exactly like I wanted it to. I would recommend one if you can find a good one with the controls. You will have to shorten your driveshaft, but that's no big deal.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Maybe someone who actually knows will step in here, but aren't the '53 trucks a one year only transmission? I seem to remember that they mount differently and have a few other differences.

Experts?

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Transmissions were definitely a big change for Ford in '53 and running well up into the 1960's if memory serves me right. You may be thinking about the bell housing for '53 trucks - that was a one year only part which allowed the new-design transmissions to bolt up to the last year of the Flathead in the U. S. Mac Vanpelt would be the best source for more information on this topic.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...truck-3spd.jpg

:)

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Denny, I know for sure there were changes in '53. I figured that occured because of the OHV six coming into play. I one owned a '53 F350 and the engine mounted very differently than the other flathead era trucks. I also recall mine had a synchromesh 4 speed, something previously unavailable. I never had to pull of service that transmission, but assumed the same bellhousing compatible with our V8s was back there, ready for the T5 conversion bellhousing. It is true that I have never heard of anyone installing this desireable synchromesh 4 speed into an earlier truck. When a person wants to get rid of their crashboox T9, they are often instructed to source a HD 3 speed truck transmission. In other words, you might be onto something here. You certainly ARE an expert in the realm of the T-5. Heck you taught me most of what I know about them!

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

T5's are great as long as you switch out the 4.11 gears for something else. I have one old car with a .86 overdrive S10 T5 and a 3.08 rear. Its perfect around town and on the highway. Only pre-1989 S10- T5's have a mechanical speedometer and shifter location in the right spot. None are World Class but you are not giving it anymore HP than it was in the original truck so it will be fine. You can get an electronic to mechanical speedometer convertor but why have the extra expense and complications? That said early S10 T5 trans are getting very hard to find so start looking now. Might be cheaper to buy a whole truck to get one, it is here.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Go to any decent swap meet and pick up just about any 53 through 67 ford three speed with over drive. The car will work ,but you will need a drive shaft end. I'm currently walking my older brother through this vary prosses with our fathers 72 ford high boy. I've swapped more OD's into old fords then I can remember. Un like the S10 chevy overdrives with only 15% overdrive the warner units are a full 33.3 %, made to work with 4.11's. If your lucky you will finde the one that was a made for your truck.Once youve driven your truck with one of these you'll wonder why the didn't all come with one. Tim

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Looks like we found our expert! So, with this info, let me ask this. Since '49,( '48 in trucks) we have the 2 piece bellhousing with a hogs head and the larger section bolted to the block. With the advent of these new trannys in '53, did only the hogs head change? Are the stamped steel bells and the truck cast iron bells the same as they were in '48-'52? If this were the case, one would source a '53 hogs head and be able to bolt up a 3 speed OD with 33% to any 8ba style flathead? Would this also allow for one to install a T-19 in a flathead truck? If so, it seems like a piece that would or should be reproduced.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

The 53 bellhousngs were one piece and had cast in “reliefs” for the crossmember, iirc.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

52Henry is correct. The bell housing on the '53 Flathead V8 bolted into the frame and sat on rubber pads much like the Model A, making it basically a stressed member.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

The 53-64 F100 overdrive transmissions are not the same gear set as the passenger car transmissions. I have a friend locally who just went through this. The main drive gear is longer and has a different bearing inside where the output shaft runs. It isn't as simple as mixing and matching the car and truck gear sets either.
If you do figure it out it makes the truck very driveable, I agree you will wonder why overdrive wasn't in all the vehicles at the time.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

38 coupe makes a good point that the truck gear sets are much more robust and the overdrive unit is as well. If you can find one for the truck application it will bolt in with the arms of your old trans. Ford offerd this trans in their light trucks from 53 thru 72. The car version is a ligh duty with a longer tail shaft. I'm assuming you wont be hauling or towing any gold bars or muti car trailers so the car version should be fine.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Gary, you asked about the hogs head bell and I can't answer on that because I've never had the chance to work with one. on the 42 thru 52 half ton I use the 49 mercury style overdrive trans with a modifacaion to the crossmember and drive shaft. Tim

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

thanks guys

yeah, my head is swimming with "what do i do"

1. repair existing - find a trans shop to swap gears assuming i can locate
is this cost actual make sense?

2. find a direct replacement

3. find an Overdrive Trans and swap in and deal with some modifications

or

4. the T5 swap
here's my discovery in doing that
53 bell housing has 2 supports points that secure the rear of drivetrain (from rotation) and 1 mount under water pump - leaving front outer engine mounts unused
so....id have to do the following
obtain 3" stamped bellhousing and attach 2 mounting locations to take place of original (to be removed
get Speedway or equal trans to bell house adaptor
get T5 (S10 with shifter forward) - non world class is fine
somehow create an attachment of clutch Z bar to trans or nearby
crossmember for trans support - with hopes it doesn't interfere with gas tank

......meeting a guy this weekend who has some transmissions in his shop....wants like $150 for one....that's fair, assuming i can find one that will work for my application...

feel free to weigh in and thank you thus far

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

thanks guys

yeah, my head is swimming with "what do i do"

1. repair existing - find a trans shop to swap gears assuming i can locate
is this cost actual make sense?

2. find a direct replacement

3. find an Overdrive Trans and swap in and deal with some modifications


......meeting a guy this weekend who has some transmissions in his shop....wants like $150 for one....that's fair, assuming i can find one that will work for my application...(old Ford 3 speed ones)

or

4. the T5 swap
here's my discovery in doing that
53 bell housing has 2 supports points that secure the rear of drivetrain (from rotation) and 1 mount under water pump - leaving front outer engine mounts unused
so....id have to do the following
obtain 3" stamped bellhousing and attach 2 mounting locations to take place of original (to be removed
get Speedway or equal trans to bell house adaptor
get T5 (S10 with shifter forward) - non world class is fine
somehow create an attachment of clutch Z bar to trans or nearby
crossmember for trans support - with hopes it doesn't interfere with gas tank


or
T5 option????
is there some sort of mounting plate that allows me to retain the original bellhousing and goes in-between the orig BH and new Speedway adaptor?



feel free to weigh in and thank you thus far

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

Too bad there's so many hurdles to jump over going with the T5. I think in your case it makes the most sense to get an OD tranny that bolts right up. If you can find an S10 T-5 for 150.00 I think you should snag it. I paid 225.00 for the WC one I installed in my woodie and honestly I have seen very few of them listed in the years since. You never know... Once 'flathead fever' enters your bloodstream you just might find another truck to drag home. I've heard that happens.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

i fixed my post above (moved my comment up)
he wants $150 for the old FORD 3 speeds (again, fair it seams)
NOT a T5

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

jonahboo,
I didn't notice if you had the Flathead V8 or the stock 6 cyl, but you could also consider this option if you have the V8. Installing this kit would get you close to the finish line, but you would still have to decide between a floor shift and keep your stock steering column or swap in an aftermarket steering column and linkage to keep the shifter on the column. Yes, it's pricey.


https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flath...-Kit,8947.html

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

[QUOTE=mcgarrett;2439280]jonahboo,
I didn't notice if you had the Flathead V8 or the stock 6 cyl, but you could also consider this option if you have the V8. Installing this kit would get you close to the finish line, but you would still have to decide between a floor shift and keep your stock steering column or swap in an aftermarket steering column and linkage to keep the shifter on the column. Yes, it's pricey.




Thanks
Very pricey

And I would still have issues with needing the (2) rear bell house to cross frame supports which prevents the motor from rotating
Only has 1 front (centered) mount

Flathead V8

Last year of flathead v8
First year of new body style ((f100))

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

If you like the idea of having the original style 3 speed column shift transmission, and are watching the budget for the truck, I would recommend rebuilding the unit you have. Then you can look at perhaps changing the rear end/differential unit to one from a Ford 9” from a Ford pickup truck…..probably something from the 1960’s give or take. Especially one from a truck that had an automatic transmission. You’ll get a higher ratio gearing and the bolt pattern for your wheels will be the same as what you have now. Parts for the 9” are readily available including multiple choices for gear ratios. We have parts for your transmission and can also rebuild it if you need that service.

Changing to the 9” truck rear would involve very little modification. Moving the spring mounting pads perhaps, and having the driveshaft modified are the main issues.

If you could locate a 1953-56 Ford pickup truck 3 speed transmission with the Borg Warner overdrive you could also gain the highway speeds you’d want with minimal modifications. However, these are pretty difficult to find plus the chances are that it would also probably need to be gone through.

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

another good solution

thanks

........the plot thickens.........

Re: What is a compatible transmission for 1953 F100
 

I think any Ford pickup overdrive transmission from 1953 through 1964 will bolt in. The earlier units are Ford transmissions with the Borg-Warner overdrive on the back. The later units are Borg-Warner T-86 transmissions with the input shaft length and spline count sized to work in that era Ford truck. Either unit is rare.

The local friend of mine with the 53 F-100 put an overdrive in. He started with his 1953 three speed truck transmission and a 1953 car overdrive transmission. I talked to my friend today, he precision ground down the pilot on the main shaft and used metric roller elements; he made sure not to grind through the case hardening and verified with file test before and after machining. It worked, but only because my friend has a lot of machine tools and can do things like precision grind the OD to size with a tolerance in fractions of a thousandth of an inch.