39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

i am just going through my trans to make sure everything is right with it before i try driving the car again and noticed the two detent springs in the shift tower are completely different lengths. one is about 1 1/4" but the other is only about 3/4" - so which one is correct? ive got other springs i bought a long time ago from ebay but they are a different length from both the ones in the shift tower already - these are just a little bit longer than the longest one that's in the tower already, maybe 1 3/8?

i have heard of people using longer/stronger springs in the shift tower to try and help keep the box in 2nd gear but i just want to go back to what should be there.

Re: 39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

This would be a great question for Mac van Pelt, looking through the "In's and Out's" I did not see a length given for the detent springs, possibly you have a side cover spring #7234. I never recorded the spring lengths when I refurbished my 39 toploader.

As far as keeping thing in gear that usually is a worn thrust washer, also wear @ the thrust washer locations in the case should be checked.

Let us know how you make out. The spring from Fleabay could be for anything, do yourself a favor and talk to the expert, vanpelts.com for the correct part.

Re: 39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

Should be the same length.

Just out of interest and for others, without a long story, I have used the "stiffer" springs and smaller balls and it helped about 50% for me. Can be a bit hard to get first gear sometimes.

Re: 39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

78-7234 is 1.42" L X 0.405 O.D. with 0.044" wire D. They collapse over all the years in use and compression. Your local hardware store may have some that can be cut down in length.

Re: 39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

thanks terry, I will measure how long the ones I have off ebay are - I just took a rough guess yesterday. I guess i should check the balls are the correct ones too.

heres a pic of two of the springs, the top one is 1.3 inches long and the bottom is .98 inches long. the wire on the long spring is .046 and the wire on the short one is .064. the top one came from ebay and the bottom one was in the box when I bought it. the balls in the shifter are 7/16 so are correct.

http://www.garagescene.co.uk/stuff/springs.jpg

Re: 39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

When rebuilding my '39 trans, about dozen yrs ago, I came across a guy who sells the 'kit' for improving the double detent trans top performance.
Glad that I installed this kit and it made an audible snapping sound when shifting...positive engagement. Equal length springs an just a little different size balls. Works great, even today.

Re: 39 trans shift tower detent springs
 

was that hotrodjohn? or plainjane038 on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-Ford-Ne...AuP4omd7LggPoA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/plainjane...p2047675.l2562