The Ford Barn

JT1930 · 02-24-2019, 08:55 PM

Hi all, new to this forum and looking for an answer. I was going to post in the HAMB but figured I could get a more specific answer here.

I have a f150 trans with the 26% overdrive in it but was wondering should I stick with that or put a ‘39 ford top loader in the coupe instead. Still has the 4 banger in the car. Will the ‘39 trans be better than the stock “A” trans other than the fact it has synchros in it. Would I get more top speed out of it over the “A” trans ? Thanks, Joe

daveymc29 · 02-24-2019, 09:15 PM

Top speed is still 1:1 with the 39. Just has the advantage of syncro 2nd and 3rd. F150 has the OD but may require more work to install. I like the 39 with a 26% Mitchell, or better yet the Mitchell tranny and Mitchell O/D. Love that combo in my roadster. No modification to frame or body and can go back to stock with no sign of alteration if you keep your old floorboards and create new ones for the O/D or get the cable shifter.

JT1930 · 02-24-2019, 10:21 PM

Thanks. Dang. The mitchel stuff sounds great but an extra lever for od and the cost of around 5k not worth it in my eyes. Looks like I’ll be sticking with the f150 trans and getting the Mac’s speed shop bellhousing and parts. I’m long gone from going back to stock since it’s hotrodded now

Charlie Stephens · 02-24-2019, 11:18 PM

The decision depends a lot on how you are going to drive it. I don't drive a lot and would just keep the original transmission. A little time and you can learn to double clutch the non synchro trans. Definitely a lot less costly. My second choice would be the '39 trans using one of the adapter kits. If I was going through the rear end it would get 3.54 gears to increase the top speed.

Charlie Stephens

CarlG · 02-25-2019, 12:07 AM

The F150 gets my vote. I have about 20K miles on mine now and wouldn’t do it any other way.

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 07:31 AM

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I drive it as much as I can and long distances to shows. This is not a bone stock car and hate the straight gear trans. With a 650 tire out back I hit 60mph tops. Looking to get those few extra mph’s to sit in the slow lane on a highway.

Carl that’s what I’m thinking. Thanks.

kenparker · 02-25-2019, 08:01 AM

with the f150 are you using the torque tube or going to an open drive line.?

jquinlan · 02-25-2019, 08:42 AM

The truck I bought last year just so happened to have an F150 transmission in it. I love driving it. The guy I bought this truck from drove it from Reno to Alaska and from the west coast of the United States to the East coast and back. Between that transmission and the 6:1 head it's quite the driver.

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenparker

with the f150 are you using the torque tube or going to an open drive line.?

Torque tube. I’ll have to cut that and the rear radius arms shorter to accommodate the longer transmission

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jquinlan

The truck I bought last year just so happened to have an F150 transmission in it. I love driving it. The guy I bought this truck from drove it from Reno to Alaska and from the west coast of the United States to the East coast and back. Between that transmission and the 6:1 head it's quite the driver.

That’s awesome.

Railcarmover · 02-25-2019, 09:26 AM

The higher the compression the quicker the stock trans shifts,the mitchell od is a 'gear splitter' and is syncho so mated with a stock trans you get some synchro shifts.Flywheel housing alignment is crucial to smooth stock trans shifting as well..

daveymc29 · 02-25-2019, 10:33 AM

With the cable shifter on the Mitchell Overdrive there is no extra lever on the floor. It can be mounted onto the transmission shift lever like the big trucks, Push down it is in over drive, pull up it is out. Real easy to split gears for the hills and onramps.

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveymc29

With the cable shifter on the Mitchell Overdrive there is no extra lever on the floor. It can be mounted onto the transmission shift lever like the big trucks, Push down it is in over drive, pull up it is out. Real easy to split gears for the hills and onramps.

I understand now. But the price still stands. $2800ish. That’s a lot vs doing a f150 swap. If you wanted to leave the car stock appearing and be able to put it back to stock then yes it’s great.

Bob C · 02-25-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT1930

I understand now. But the price still stands. $2800ish. That’s a lot vs doing a f150 swap. If you wanted to leave the car stock appearing and be able to put it back to stock then yes it’s great.

The F150 swap is not a simple bolt in swap. Read through the whole
thread in the link especially posts 20, 63, and 66. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ht=dave+delume

Bob

Russ/40 · 02-25-2019, 11:50 AM

The total cost for me was lowest with the '39 transmission. I already had the 39 box, so it was just the cost of the Clings kit. The kit is a very sanitary setup, well engineered and less than $500. As I have a rdstr PU, I was not looking for any more top end, as I'm not even running a top. No messing with the torque tube, and no modifications to the chassis.

Railcarmover · 02-25-2019, 12:03 PM

Doing the f150 conversion holds two options,open or closed driveshaft.Open includes altering the rear suspension,closed includes costs for adapters.Often folks just put heim joints on the radius rods and weld them to the frame,changing the suspension geometry and transferring load to the frame rail which isnt designed for it.Not to mention the torque tube is a critical part of stabilizing the rear axle.

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

The F150 swap is not a simple bolt in swap. Read through the whole
thread in the link especially posts 20, 63, and 66. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ht=dave+delume

Bob

Obviously. I wouldn’t say it’s very challenging either, maybe for some but buying the Mac’s bellhousing and rear of trans plate it helps. I just have to cut my rear shaft and spline it on my bridge port by indexing it. Cut the torque tube/driveshaft and arms also.

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 12:13 PM

Railcarmover. I will be keeping the torque tube. I’ve seen what someone has done with a hiem joint torque arm type of setup and open drive line. Seems like more work vs keeping the torque tube.

JT1930 · 02-25-2019, 12:23 PM

JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR.......

- I know what it takes to put a f150 transmission into a model A. I know many are helping with information on putting the trans in the car and I thank you but it is not needed. Original post was asking does the 39 trans have a better gearing ratio to go faster over the A trans. Thank you.

I know everyone is trying to put input on how to f150 trans or 39 trans into a model A but i don’t understand how many can just disregard the original posts question and start stating other information and snowballs from there.

Jim Brierley · 02-25-2019, 01:04 PM

The '39 does not have overdrive, its advantage over the stock A is syncro on 2nd and 3rd and better gear ratio-split. Top speed will not be much different as you don't have enough power with a stock engine to take advantage of the O.D. but cruising with the F-150 will be easier and more comfortable, with the V8 cruising at 60 would be straining the engine ... not good. Cruising speed with a V8 would be 45-50.

02-24-2019, 08:55 PM	#1
JT1930 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glocester, Rhode Island Posts: 81	F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? Hi all, new to this forum and looking for an answer. I was going to post in the HAMB but figured I could get a more specific answer here. I have a f150 trans with the 26% overdrive in it but was wondering should I stick with that or put a ‘39 ford top loader in the coupe instead. Still has the 4 banger in the car. Will the ‘39 trans be better than the stock “A” trans other than the fact it has synchros in it. Would I get more top speed out of it over the “A” trans ? Thanks, Joe

02-24-2019, 09:15 PM	#2
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? Top speed is still 1:1 with the 39. Just has the advantage of syncro 2nd and 3rd. F150 has the OD but may require more work to install. I like the 39 with a 26% Mitchell, or better yet the Mitchell tranny and Mitchell O/D. Love that combo in my roadster. No modification to frame or body and can go back to stock with no sign of alteration if you keep your old floorboards and create new ones for the O/D or get the cable shifter.

02-24-2019, 10:21 PM	#3
JT1930 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glocester, Rhode Island Posts: 81	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? Thanks. Dang. The mitchel stuff sounds great but an extra lever for od and the cost of around 5k not worth it in my eyes. Looks like I’ll be sticking with the f150 trans and getting the Mac’s speed shop bellhousing and parts. I’m long gone from going back to stock since it’s hotrodded now

02-24-2019, 11:18 PM	#4
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,032	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? The decision depends a lot on how you are going to drive it. I don't drive a lot and would just keep the original transmission. A little time and you can learn to double clutch the non synchro trans. Definitely a lot less costly. My second choice would be the '39 trans using one of the adapter kits. If I was going through the rear end it would get 3.54 gears to increase the top speed. Charlie Stephens

02-25-2019, 12:07 AM	#5
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? The F150 gets my vote. I have about 20K miles on mine now and wouldn’t do it any other way. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

02-25-2019, 07:31 AM	#6
JT1930 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glocester, Rhode Island Posts: 81	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I drive it as much as I can and long distances to shows. This is not a bone stock car and hate the straight gear trans. With a 650 tire out back I hit 60mph tops. Looking to get those few extra mph’s to sit in the slow lane on a highway. Carl that’s what I’m thinking. Thanks.

02-25-2019, 08:01 AM	#7
kenparker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Van, Texas Posts: 1,122	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? with the f150 are you using the torque tube or going to an open drive line.?

02-25-2019, 08:42 AM	#8
jquinlan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Foley, Al Posts: 142	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? The truck I bought last year just so happened to have an F150 transmission in it. I love driving it. The guy I bought this truck from drove it from Reno to Alaska and from the west coast of the United States to the East coast and back. Between that transmission and the 6:1 head it's quite the driver. __________________ Jim

02-25-2019, 09:26 AM	#11
Railcarmover BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,262	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? The higher the compression the quicker the stock trans shifts,the mitchell od is a 'gear splitter' and is syncho so mated with a stock trans you get some synchro shifts.Flywheel housing alignment is crucial to smooth stock trans shifting as well..

02-25-2019, 10:33 AM	#12
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? With the cable shifter on the Mitchell Overdrive there is no extra lever on the floor. It can be mounted onto the transmission shift lever like the big trucks, Push down it is in over drive, pull up it is out. Real easy to split gears for the hills and onramps.

02-25-2019, 11:50 AM	#15
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? The total cost for me was lowest with the '39 transmission. I already had the 39 box, so it was just the cost of the Clings kit. The kit is a very sanitary setup, well engineered and less than $500. As I have a rdstr PU, I was not looking for any more top end, as I'm not even running a top. No messing with the torque tube, and no modifications to the chassis.

02-25-2019, 12:03 PM	#16
Railcarmover BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,262	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? Doing the f150 conversion holds two options,open or closed driveshaft.Open includes altering the rear suspension,closed includes costs for adapters.Often folks just put heim joints on the radius rods and weld them to the frame,changing the suspension geometry and transferring load to the frame rail which isnt designed for it.Not to mention the torque tube is a critical part of stabilizing the rear axle.

02-25-2019, 12:13 PM	#18
JT1930 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glocester, Rhode Island Posts: 81	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? Railcarmover. I will be keeping the torque tube. I’ve seen what someone has done with a hiem joint torque arm type of setup and open drive line. Seems like more work vs keeping the torque tube.

02-25-2019, 12:23 PM	#19
JT1930 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Glocester, Rhode Island Posts: 81	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR....... - I know what it takes to put a f150 transmission into a model A. I know many are helping with information on putting the trans in the car and I thank you but it is not needed. Original post was asking does the 39 trans have a better gearing ratio to go faster over the A trans. Thank you. I know everyone is trying to put input on how to f150 trans or 39 trans into a model A but i don’t understand how many can just disregard the original posts question and start stating other information and snowballs from there.

02-25-2019, 01:04 PM	#20
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,089	Re: F150 trans or 39 Ford trans for banger? The '39 does not have overdrive, its advantage over the stock A is syncro on 2nd and 3rd and better gear ratio-split. Top speed will not be much different as you don't have enough power with a stock engine to take advantage of the O.D. but cruising with the F-150 will be easier and more comfortable, with the V8 cruising at 60 would be straining the engine ... not good. Cruising speed with a V8 would be 45-50.