Model a transmission

[zimali]

I'm a new Ford Barn member. I would like to get opinions/feedback on the Model "A" transmission made in Denmark from one of the well known catalog/online suppliers. Thanks!!

[Mike V. Florida]

Welcome

This was just discussed a day or so ago. It is a fine unit.

[redmodelt]

He is looking for pro/con on the current new transmission from Mikes. I went back late last night and reread some old post but they were from a while back. At that time there were some issues with the transmission popping out of 3nd(?). So does anyone have experience with the current units?
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...t=cluster+gear

[Mitch//pa]

i have heard of poor reports also

[700rpm]

We hear a lot of talk about "quality of parts" and "why don't they make stuff like they used to" and "buy American". No patch on Mike's, but excellent made-in-USA gears are available. Yes, they cost more than a Danish transmission. But are we going to walk the walk or just talk the talk?

I've put new USA made gears in two transmissions, and I don't ever have to worry about them again. Buy quality, and buy it once.

[ctvpa]

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zimali, may I ask why go with all rebuilt? A reasonable tranny can be rebuilt. There is a great video done by Diablo Model A, they have many different topics (all of them great). You can get the video at their site, the MAFCA or MARC store. I reviewed it, then set my computer on my workbench and watched, hit pause, played some more. The only thing you will need is a press. The local machine shop wanted $50. The local discount tool shop charged $80 for a 30 ton press, so I saved money on the tranny, got a press that has come in handy often, and I can say I did it.

[zimali]

Given the limited responses regarding the "Danish" transmission, I'll probably just have my current transmission rebuilt given the costs will be about the same. I don't have a problem with products produced in Denmark, and it will actually cost a bit more to have my current transmission rebuilt with the problems it has than to purchase an entire new "Danish" transmission. Thanks for your responses and input.

[J Franklin]

Go for the new transmission if yours will cost more to rebuild. I have heard they were good. You can part out what you can of the old trans. Just curious as to what the problems your transmission has. I see rebuilt transmissions for sale on Expay often.
Where are you located?

[zimali]

To J Franklin: If you are a PDX Model "A" club member, we may know some of the same "A" people, as I am located in Vancouver, WA. I am not familiar with Expay. The Model "A" transmission that I have has a bad "roller" type bearing, 1st and reverse sliding gear, 2nd and 3rd sliding gear, main drive gear, and cluster gear. The ball bearings and the u-joint look good. My "A" is not a "points" car so I'm not picky about the transmission origin as long as it's a good one. Est. to rebuild transmission is $600-$700, new foreign transmission is $595 + shipping. I am leaning to rebuild my original "A" transmission at this time.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I'm not sure what is bad about your gears, but I have talked to a few people that thought their gears were bad because of the pointed edge on each tooth. They are made with a pointed edge to help engagement. Badly rust pitted teeth or chipped teeth is bad, as is a gear with non parallel edges. That is when the tooth is thinner one one end of the contact area than the other end. If you look at the tooth main part (not the pointed end) the outside edge of each tooth should have exactly parallel lines, but I've seen some worn to the point of not being parallel, and that would tend to make the gear walk out of engagement. My 1949 Chevy 1 1/2 ton with 4 speed walks out of "granny gear" after about 200 feet. I've never fixed it because I would rarely be in the lowest gear for more than about 50 feet.

[John LaVoy]

We used the USA gears in the sedan when we built it and have been really pleased. While I have not seen the other transmission I have heard some poor reports when they first came out.

We are currently working on an early multiple disk clutch set up and are again using the USA gears in the transmission, they don't make the drive gear but everything else fits like a dream.

Just so you can see the difference on the multiple disk set up to everything else here are the two shafts, the modern one is the USA gear.

[ctvpa]

Still consider rebuilding it yourself. Replacing the bearings or gears is not hard

[1931 flamingo]

Half to two thirds of the battle is getting the tranny out. JMO
Paul in CT

[johnsor]

Rebuild your transmission with USA gears. I wish I had done that instead of buying the new Danish transmission that jumps out of 3rd gear when on compression. It's not the minor cost difference that's important but the results and labor.

[Ron in Quincy]

When removing the transmission cluster gear shaft be sure to drive it out forward;
he rear case hole is a few thousands smaller to seal the hole to avoid leaks.

Ron