What happens in a transmission rebuild - Part 1
 

With everyone forced to stay close to home (or the TV, the computer, or perhaps your shop) we decided to give you guys and gals a little peak into the secret happenings in our transmission rebuilding shop. This will be mainly a picture thread with my own comments, and perhaps a few replies to your comments and questions. The patient in this thread is a 1949 Mercury overdrive 3 speed transmission. This unit came out of a customer's 1949-50 F1 pickup truck. The early Merc overdrive is a common transplant into the F1 trucks.

The transmission is shown pretty much totally disassembled and laid out on the floor of the shop. Some of the misc bolts and such are missing from the picture but you get the point. This is how most of the jobs arrive in our shop....a blend of grease, gear oil, rust, and dirt. You can see that the years of use have darkened the oil on the internal parts. As we move through the job we will take photos of the parts as they move through the cleaning process.

So this is it for today. Stayed tuned for progress on the transmission! Here are links to
PART 2:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278395

PART 3:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278551

PART 4:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...95#post1867195

PART 5:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278760

PART 6:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278891

PART 7:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...70#post1872470

PART 8:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...60#post1873060

PART 9:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279621

PART 10:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279746

PART 11:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...72#post1885172

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Thank you . I'll be watching

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Thanks Mac, for sharing. I'll be watching too.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

This is one of the few times I wish we had a Thumbs Up or Like here on the 'Barn.

Mac is an amazing old-Ford guy (Edit: part of an amazing team...), and I'd pay money to just stand around in a corner of his shop. His presentation in Dearborn in '18 was PhD grade educational material.

The company website is a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10! Props to their webmaster.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Speaking of.... I haven't heard a word about the 'Model A Lady' in a long time. I hope all is going well. We haven't forgotten you........

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

And I felt a teeny bit skeevy mentioning it so in my message it is edited out by the time sent this reply.

The switched a gear line was pretty good, but talking about a person's spouse was over the line so I self edited.

I really hope I didn't torpedo this before it's out of the harbor.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Although she prefers to stay in the background, the former Model A Lady is doing fine, and appreciated your asking. So, back to our regularly scheduled program.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

I will be watching. Thanks for taking the time. I for one, really appreciate it.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Mac thanks for doing this. In a time where nothing but bad news is spreading it’s refreshing to see a guy like you give us something to see and escape our minds from the world for a bit.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Thanks Mac for sharing your knowledge!

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

I wish Mac would make a video of the complete reassembly process for this transmission. I am sure there would be a market for it. I for one would buy one, and help me refresh my memory, as I have 2 of these transmissions that need gone through. The overdrive section is what I am not that familiar with, haven't built one since 1970. the regular 3 speed part is not a problem

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Man, except for NO beer and NO 'dome dogs, this'll almost be a perfect replacement for the now-defunct baseball season. DD

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Will be watching! Thanks.
Bob

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

I have a '51 OD transmission mounted on a special fixture on an engine stand just waiting for this. It's even all cleaned up!:)

Let the games begin!:D

If I find I need parts, I know where to go.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Great thread. Thank you!

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Fantastic that you mention baseball, because of your location ID.

Still glowing in the DC 'burbs.

February is usually the worst for baseball fans who glare out sad grey windows... But now? Glad to see the NASCAR dudes tear up some virtual junk today! I really rooted for the 8 car and got out of my chair like I missed for about the last twenty year! Who Hoo!

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Thanks for sharing this information Mac. Because of my remote location I have to "do it yourself" so any and all information is devoured hungrily.

Mart.

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

I am introducing each new segment as a fresh thread. Look for the same title under Part 2 (and followed by Parts 3,4 etc as they become available).

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

Thanks Mac!

Re: What happens to a transmission in for a rebuild
 

I have a ‘’49 or 50 Mercury transmission with overdrive.
I also have nice F1 with a rebuilt engine and broken transmission.
I ve been told by several people
that putting an overdrive tranny in an F1 requires too much frame cutting to be worth the effort.they say too many F1 pickups ended up in the junk because somebody tried to install an overdrive tranny.