The Ford Barn

kirkf · 05-10-2023, 11:51 PM

A couple years ago when I rebuilt a late 3 speed transmission, I was able to buy countershafts with O-rings on them for better case sealing.

I think at the time they came off of Ebay. Now I can't find them anywhere.

Does anyone know who sells these now?

Kirk

Pete · 05-11-2023, 04:47 PM

It is no big deal to machine the grooves yourself.

kirkf · 05-11-2023, 08:40 PM

Quote:

It is no big deal to machine the grooves yourself.

Well I think for me that would be outside my skillset.

I haven't got a lathe, and i've never tried to cut a groove in case hardened steel.

Last time I bought these I remember them being inexpensive, So given a choice I would just buy a set.

I'm pretty sure the last ones came off ebay of all places, but its been a few years.

I see lots of them available for the model A.

Kirk

JM 35 Sedan · 05-12-2023, 02:11 PM

Check with:

VANPELT SALES LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486,
www.vanpeltsales.com
www.classictransmission.com

Michael Driskell @ Third Generation
Automotive, +1-844-327-5988,
2600 Old Nashville Hwy,
McMinnville, TN 37110

Charlie Schwendler, aka charlie ny,
716-662-9159,
[email protected]
5845 Cole Road
Orchard Park, New York 14127

*Hopefully, these phone numbers and addresses are the latest, up to date info.

Tim Ayers · 05-12-2023, 02:26 PM

I believe I have a set that I would sell. Let me look in my stash and I'll send you a message if I do.

Terry,OH · 05-13-2023, 10:34 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

John Kovar (Hot Rod John) had them at one time.

Mac VP · 05-13-2023, 11:11 AM

John Kovar has been gone for several years now. If the original poster is determined to have this, I recommend cutting the grooves into an original Ford shaft. I don’t think the aftermarket shafts are sized or heat treated like Ford did. FWIW we don’t do this to any of them, whether it’s installed in a rebuild or sold through our parts business.

40cpe · 05-13-2023, 11:05 PM

My transmission was leaking at those shafts. When I installed my flathead I went through the trans. I had the exposed ends of the shafts drilled and tapped for small bolts. Upon assembly I covered the ends of the shafts with RTV and bolted discs on the ends using the threaded holes. I also sealed the locking pin with RTV. No leaks in 6 years.

JM 35 Sedan · 05-14-2023, 10:14 AM

The last early Ford 3 speed transmission that I assembled (50 pu, top loader, w/open drive) the counter shaft had such a neat/tight fit in the case, that I doubt much, if any gear oil will leak out of that area.

* Also, some years ago I purchased a new cluster gear counter shaft and new caged roller bearings for this cluster/counter shaft assembly, and during assembly of these parts in the transmission I determined the shaft and the rollers on the bearings were both undersize. These new parts came from a well known dealer/supplier. I was lucky to catch this problem before final assembly. My point is....check and double check your parts very carefully, whether they are used, new/repro, NOS, or otherwise.

kirkf · 05-18-2023, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the input guys.
I know not everyone uses the seals on the countershafts, but it seemed like an elegant solution to the oil leak problem.
Unfortunately from what Mac VanPelt says, the person who was supplying them is no longer with us.

Kirk

Lawrie · 05-18-2023, 05:49 PM

I do an easy (for me) fix on them, I set up the empty case on the mill, bore the worn bore oversize, then machine a sleeve to fit in the bore, while its still set up on the mill ,I pull the new sleeve in then bore it to size ,to fit the new shaft,
Lawrie

05-10-2023, 11:51 PM	#1
kirkf Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 272	3 spd Counter Shafts A couple years ago when I rebuilt a late 3 speed transmission, I was able to buy countershafts with O-rings on them for better case sealing. I think at the time they came off of Ebay. Now I can't find them anywhere. Does anyone know who sells these now? Kirk __________________ 1953 Ford F100 1950 Ford F47 (F1) 1940 Ford Pickup

05-11-2023, 04:47 PM	#2
Pete BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,423	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts It is no big deal to machine the grooves yourself.

05-12-2023, 02:11 PM	#4
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts Check with: VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486, www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com Michael Driskell @ Third Generation Automotive, +1-844-327-5988, 2600 Old Nashville Hwy, McMinnville, TN 37110 Charlie Schwendler, aka charlie ny, 716-662-9159, [email protected] 5845 Cole Road Orchard Park, New York 14127 Hopefully, these phone numbers and addresses are the latest, up to date info. __________________ John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 05-12-2023 at 02:19 PM.

05-12-2023, 02:26 PM	#5
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 7,226	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts I believe I have a set that I would sell. Let me look in my stash and I'll send you a message if I do.

05-13-2023, 10:34 AM	#6
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,394	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) John Kovar (Hot Rod John) had them at one time.

05-13-2023, 11:11 AM	#7
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,465	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts John Kovar has been gone for several years now. If the original poster is determined to have this, I recommend cutting the grooves into an original Ford shaft. I don’t think the aftermarket shafts are sized or heat treated like Ford did. FWIW we don’t do this to any of them, whether it’s installed in a rebuild or sold through our parts business. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

05-13-2023, 11:05 PM	#8
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,161	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts My transmission was leaking at those shafts. When I installed my flathead I went through the trans. I had the exposed ends of the shafts drilled and tapped for small bolts. Upon assembly I covered the ends of the shafts with RTV and bolted discs on the ends using the threaded holes. I also sealed the locking pin with RTV. No leaks in 6 years.

05-14-2023, 10:14 AM	#9
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts The last early Ford 3 speed transmission that I assembled (50 pu, top loader, w/open drive) the counter shaft had such a neat/tight fit in the case, that I doubt much, if any gear oil will leak out of that area. * Also, some years ago I purchased a new cluster gear counter shaft and new caged roller bearings for this cluster/counter shaft assembly, and during assembly of these parts in the transmission I determined the shaft and the rollers on the bearings were both undersize. These new parts came from a well known dealer/supplier. I was lucky to catch this problem before final assembly. My point is....check and double check your parts very carefully, whether they are used, new/repro, NOS, or otherwise. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 05-20-2023 at 08:03 AM. Reason: Addendum to original post

05-18-2023, 11:14 AM	#10
kirkf Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 272	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts Thanks for the input guys. I know not everyone uses the seals on the countershafts, but it seemed like an elegant solution to the oil leak problem. Unfortunately from what Mac VanPelt says, the person who was supplying them is no longer with us. Kirk __________________ 1953 Ford F100 1950 Ford F47 (F1) 1940 Ford Pickup

05-18-2023, 05:49 PM	#11
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,728	Re: 3 spd Counter Shafts I do an easy (for me) fix on them, I set up the empty case on the mill, bore the worn bore oversize, then machine a sleeve to fit in the bore, while its still set up on the mill ,I pull the new sleeve in then bore it to size ,to fit the new shaft, Lawrie