Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

A couple of days ago I picked up a 1937 Transmission from a guy I know. He called me this morning to tell me that in the interest of full disclosure, he seems to now remember that this transmission might have come out of a 60 horse power car, and that I can return it and get my money back from him if I wish.

I didn't know there were any differences between the V8 60 and V8 85 transmissions. It looks to be a full size gear box. If it is a V8 60 transmission, is it weaker, or geared differently? Would it be a bad choice to go behind a healthy, post-war flat head V8? It appears to be recently rebuilt (which he said that it is), but it is missing the shifter stick, so if it is a V8 60 tranny, will it only take a V8 60 shifter stick?

Help please.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

The 60hp transmission will not bolt up to the 85hp engine. What are the numbers on the bellhousing ? That will be the easy way to tell if it is indeed a 60hp. Rod

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

And the gears are a lot smaller. I would think that they also would be weaker and the 85 horse gears are merely adequate.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

60 HP transmission bell housing numbers are 54-xxxxxx ?

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

The 37-39 60 trans is 2/3 the size of the 85hp trans, in 1940 the larger trans is used but the case had differences to fit to the 60 engine ---as has been said in previous posts ---look up the serial # on the bell housing

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

If you could put some pictures up here we could probably tell you what you have. A couple views of the outside of the case, plus one that shows the gears. The numbers on the bell above the clutch inspection plate would also help. I believe there were 60hp commercial vehicles that did have the same gears as the 85hp used.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

top load cases have a 78-zzz number on the lower rear of case, this is the case most people look for. I believe that 60 hp cases have a 22-zzzz?? on them

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

There was a V8-60 commercial case that took the big gears. There is a big case for sale in the classifieds...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148383

Does yours look like that this one?

Neal

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

Going from memory (because the transmission is down at the barn right now), I'm pretty sure that the SN number stamped on the bell housing of the transmission started out with "I8-".
Looking at the Vanpelt SN listing answers the question - it's NOT a from a 60 HP car (if my memory of the prefix is right). As Tamnalan mentioned, a V8 60 SN would start with "54". Whew, I think that I'm alright then, unless somebody stuck a set of V8 60 gears in the case at some time). Does anybody have a shifter stick?

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

In the floor shift years, 60 commercials and taxis got the big case and gears with a cutout and can to house the 60 starter drive, which goes way inboard from where it is on an 85. JC Whitney used to sell modified 85 transmissions as replacements for 60's...I assume they just ran a holesaw through and pressed in a shield. I do believe that if you look up the 29 tooth gearset you'll find the cluster carries a 60 prefix...

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

Seams like a photo of the starter can would help ID the tranny.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

Easy to spot...on 85 the starter can is outside the trans casting on the oil pan, with only a slight clearance notch on the trans casting. On a big case 60 it is entirely on/in the trans bell casting inboard at about the same rotation as on an 85.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

Anemic, wimpy little critter. Note only four bolts securing shifter cover. DD

https://s.yimg.com/vw/api/res/1.2/jK...0-A.jpg.cf.jpg

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

Here is a picture of a V860 commercial case which will accept the standard 29T cluster.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

Is that first picture a RHD version with the starter on the left? ;)

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

I wish RHD starters were on the left, it would help make things fit better.

For those that don't realise Neal is kidding, it must be a flipped image.

Mart.

Re: Transmission Differences V8 60 Vs V8 85?
 

I wonder if the V8-60 (non commercial) used the same gears as the English fords. (Anglia / Prefect type) It couldn't be if the input is the same as the bigger V8's, but I'm not sure if it is the same or smaller.

Just wondering out loud.

Mart.