1938 trans
 

I'm in the process of rebuilding a 3 speed top loader trans and installing an open drive conversion. I noticed that the output shaft is not set up for the second gear spring lock,no hole for the spring.Do I need to use a different gear,bushing, or is there something else I need. Thanks

Re: 1938 trans
 

The early ones have it but later ones don't. If you have the main shaft without the spring pin then you need the later 51A-7102 second gear. You also need a copy of Mac VanPelt's transmission book. It helps you ID parts and find what works with what. I assume your mainshaft is from a 42 or later pickup since they were open drive.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Thanks for the reply.I have the complete conversion 21C-7049A with intentions of using it on a 35 trans but the gear splines are different.Found a 38 that has all new parts and gears that would work.will I also need the matching bushing for the 51A-7102 gear.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Thanks for reply. I have the complete conversion 21C-7049A that I was going to use on a 35 trans but the gear splines ar.e different.Found a 38 that has all new parts that Im going to use. Will i have to use a different bushing on that particular gear.My parts books kinda overlap on that item.

Re: 1938 trans
 

You will the later input shaft, later synchro assembly with loose synchro rings, an 81A or 51A 2nd gear depending upon your open drive mainshaft and necessary thrust washers. Like was said in an earlier post you really need to get Mac Van Pelts transmission book.
Good Luck.

Re: 1938 trans
 

The intermediate gear P/N 51A-7102 is a fair bit different. It needs no spacers like the earlier one. It doesn't use a loose bushing so no need for a lock. The later post 42 transmissions use pretty much all the same stuff inside with the exception of the long main shaft for open drive. This includes the side shift types which are easier to find. There is some interchangeability with counter shaft cluster gears but not much else when dealing with the pre-1939 transmissions. On counter shaft assemblies you just need the right bearings and thrust washers with the type you have.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Thanks for all the reply's ,I'm still matching up parts for assembly. Still kinda wondering on the sychro for it,have to do some more studying on that. Will hit you guys up when I get ready to put it together.

Re: 1938 trans
 

X2 what rotorwrench said. Do your self a favor and get Mac Vanpelts how to book. Well worth it and he explains things so the average guy like me can under stand it. I rebuilt three transmissions with the help of that book. Good luck with yours.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Just got The Book in the other day,still wondering if the parts that came with the trany are 38 or 39. Will do some more reading to see for sure.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Post a picture or 2 of your parts, somebody will help identify them with you.
Paul

Re: 1938 trans
 

Will try some pictures, have a new phone haven't figured it out yet

Re: 1938 trans
 

Thanks to the daughter I think the pics posted.the syncro pic is the one I got with the parts.The cluster gear is 28-24-18-14,the low reverse gear has a wider shift fork face than the old one.The input shaft is a little different on the end,and that is a pic of the open drive kit that I have.

Re: 1938 trans
 

The imput shaft on the right I think is the one that was used,as it still has the bearing on it.

Re: 1938 trans
 

The synchro is the early type that was used prior to 1939. It won't work with the later input and main shaft. Study up on Mac's book. You can use all the later gears in any of the early transmissions but you can't go the other way when you need the later type main output shaft for open drive. You will also need the 91A type shifter fork set up in the top housing too.

Re: 1938 trans
 

I have looked more into the parts that I have,it appears that I have the wrong gear cluster.The one I have is 8A-7113 which has the loose roller bearings which from looking in the book,wont work for the open drive.I don't think it's cost feasible now to continue on with this. thanks for all the help on this.

Re: 1938 trans
 

The 8A-7113 cluster gear does interchange with the 68-7113 and the 51A-7113 and the 8M-7113. All four have the same tooth count. To use the 8A-7113 you only need the loose needle roller set, the longer spacer tube inside, and the two little thin spacer washers. These pieces would set you back maybe $30 or so. We have these in stock if you need them.

As you're learning from helpful comments above, you had some other parts to change out. A stock 38 trans would be able to keep a few parts when going to open drive, but not a great amount: cluster gear, low-reverse gear, reverse idler gear, countershaft, and idler shaft. The rest must come from the 1940-48 types. Even though the 1938 main drive gear has 16 teeth, and the second gear has 22 teeth, you can't use those 38 gears for your conversion. Same with the synchro assy.

I'm generalizing a bit here, but wanted to let you know that this project is doable if you've gathered up the necessary parts.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Thanks for the info, I think I've located a full gear assembly, need to check the year on it for sure,it's out of a truck trans.I have a 32 3 speed and another with a strange number on it C18H-585. I have read somewhere that you can use a 6 spline bolt on yoke and the 4 speed trans mount for an open drive.Is that possible to do,or has anyone else heard of this application.Thanks again for all the help.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Some of the 18 style gearbox housings only accepts the 9" clutch, that´s another thing to have in mind mixing bit´s and pieces.

Re: 1938 trans
 

Ford light duty transmissions generally only have small casting numbers on the lower back side of the case. Engine numbers may or may not be on the top of the bell on the flat above the inspection port there.

Transmissions that are side shift from 1940 through 1948 have all the right stuff with the exception of the lack of the top shift tower that you would need (91A type). The light duty 3-speed pickup transmission remained top shift and open drive from 1942 through 1950 with all the same gears through that time frame. There was a new set of gears after that for a short period but they have to be used in sets only since they aren't completely interchangeable with the pre 1951 gears.

A 1932 V8 transmission is the first of the light duty 3-speeds but they are shallow in the bell area and have to be used with the small clutch unless a person does some relief work inside the bell. They likely have strait splines and antiquated gear sets. You can put later stuff in there though just like the 38 case but the 38 case can take any gears you want to put in there and it has the deeper bell area. You also have to use the later shift tower on those old cases if you use the later gears. The 91A shift fork is available for retrofit into some of the earlier towers but not the early tower with the shifter that slants back. A person needs either the single detent straight tower or the double detent straight tower to easily use the 91A 2nd/3rd shift fork and the 91A or later sunchronizer assembly.

The three speeds are nothing like the 4-speeds. Nothing is interchangeable.

Re: 1938 trans
 

The gear assembly came in today,not what I thought it would be.The gear cluster is 27 23 17 13 with a 28 count 2nd gear.The book shows that to be 48-51,will this be suitable for the 38 case and will it be a good ratio for my pickup.