Transmission Conversion
 

Can the gears in the transmission be changed so that 3rd gear would be in the Top Right side of "H" pattern?

Sure would seem much better for leg room on trips!

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Nope. Third has to stay where it is to catch the main shaft on the front of the transmission. Old Dodge Brothers cars had high gear where our second is.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Try lifting the gear shift lever up (against the heavy spring) and rotating it out of the way.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Put a F150 4-speed OD in. Then 3rd gear is upper right.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Crickey! You need more leg room because the gear stick is in the way. You would be in real trouble over here!

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Why not? I do it all the time. When you need to shift just rotate it down and it snaps right into place. I also bent my shifter to make more room. Grab onto it with both hands and bend it where you want it. Try not to apply the pressure against the shift forks. That's what I did.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Wasn't this one of Henry's better ideas and advertised to give more room? At least thats what I was told as a youngster.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Someone once told me that it was so a person could enter and exit the car from the passenger side when parked and easily slide across the front seat.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

I have driven thousands of miles with the shift lever swung up out of the way. Never had a problem. The detents in the shift rails keep everything in place.

Chris W.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Some young lady showed me how that worked in my brother's 37 Roadster. She was correct, much more room.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Jeez, I meant the part about lifting the gear shift up while steering a moving car. Obviously not a problem for you guys... :rolleyes::rolleyes:


I sincerely doubt Henry advertised to move the shifter out of the way while driving. Parked? Maybe? But, hey. What do I know. :p:p

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

It doesn't lift hard, once your used to it, it isn't a problem.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

When I had a 1929 Ford Model A tudor years ago the first thing my older neighbor showed me is by lifting and turning shift lever as described in the other messages;
"Here's how you get your girl to sit closer when you are parked".

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

How about converting to a column shift like Ford did in 1940? There is plenty of info on upgrading to a V8 style case. Just get a '40-'48 trans and steering column with shift linkage, and start wrenching. It will be mostly bolt-in and will be able to return to stock parts easily.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

I heated & bent Minervas' shifter, 3 TIMES:eek:, to get a "little" more leg room!
Bill Torch

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Practice while parked, it's easy!

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

eagle: Are you saying that you bent the shifter WITHOUT applying heat?

I had known about pulling the shifter up but did not have any luck! Maybe I need a little more spinach! So the idea of changing the gears, which several have chimed in and said not possible, so that thought of heating the shifter and bending. I will pursue pulling the shifter up a little more.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Yes. It takes some spinach but its possible. Didn't want to discolor it. Also, if you haven't pulled the shifter up, it can be a little sticky.

Re: Transmission Conversion
 

Put a F150 4-speed OD in. Then 3rd gear is upper right.
Attached Thumbnails https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1511807352

I have the bell housing that is used to make this conversion but haven't been able to find any details about the year model of the Ford transmission I would need or what effect it has on the drive shaft tube. If you are aware of a thread on this subject, would post a link or title to look for.
Thanks