Ford 150 OD Transmission install in 31 Roadster

[Russ/40]

Ken, thank you much for the clarification. So, the T5 solutions also require torque tube shortening. Is this true with the Clings V8 transmission solution?

[JRN1967]

Ken, After you cut off the tail section of the RTS transmission. How do you
seal the RTS from leaking fluid out of the output shaft? Do you use a sealed
rear bearing? How do you stop fluid from entering the U joint coupling area?

[AL in NY]

JRN1967, if you look at the pictures posted in post #20. You'll see that the tailshaft has been removed and replaced with a flat plate. The rear bearing is replaced with one that is sealed on one side. Also, in regards to your earlier post about the 27% OD trans getting hard to find. Check out this junk yard search site(http://car-part.com/). Depending on how far you want to travel, that transmission is available.

Carlg, David Delume does not replace the internal gears in the F150 transmission with new ones because they are not all available, especially the cluster gear. The cluster gear is unique to each different OD ratio.

[kenparker]

Al has already answered the questions by Russ, but I can answer also and maybe add some more.

The "flat Plate" Al mentioned is the replacment for the tailhousing. A sealed bearing is put in place of the original open bearing, thus, preventing transmission oil from flowing, leaking or sneaking into the Ujoint cavity. Or Ujoint grease from sneaking into the tranny.

Different Kit builders build their "flat Plate" differently, but all versions work the same purpose.

Every T-5 transmission conversion I have seen has been an open Drive conversion. That is why I do not want to mess with them. Never done a comversion that fits behind the early V-8 transmission, but no reason it could not be built with a shortened drive shaft and Torque Tube.

Remember, if one shortens the Torque Tube the Radias Rods have to be shortened accordingly. ken

[JRN1967]

Al & Ken, thanks for the answers to my seal question.

Al, I checked out that parts site. Found two within driving distance, I'm saving it to my favorites.

John

[SteveB31]

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[bettlesr]

I got my kit from Tim Sheridan. His kit uses the standard bellhousing and does not cut the cross member. For the space, the top and bottom ears of the universal joint housing are removed, and the brake cross shaft is shimmed lower by 1/4". The drive shaft is cut 4.5".

[Chris Haynes]

The 7.50x16 rear tires on mine are all the overdrive I could ask for. :-)

[JRN1967]

Originally Posted by bettlesr

I got my kit from Tim Sheridan. His kit uses the standard bellhousing and does not cut the cross member. For the space, the top and bottom ears of the universal joint housing are removed, and the brake cross shaft is shimmed lower by 1/4". The drive shaft is cut 4.5".

bettlesr, This arrangement must put the shifter another 2" further back toward the seat, correct?

Happy Holidays,
John

[duke36]

For the f150 4 SPEED, what fluid is used and how to drain it? Appears to be no lower drain hole. Does one remove the bottom bolt or use a suction gun?

[kenparker]

To duke36. A technical correction for better explanation. The F150 4 speed is just that - a 4 speed. It has an iron case and 4th gear is 1:1. It is a heavy duty transmissioin built for heavy trucks (ie 250 and 350).

The transmission we are (i think) is the F150 RTS 3 speed with OD.

If the transmission is out of the car just turn it upside down and drain then flush.

Now. To answere your question. For 20 years I have been using and recommending whatever is on WalMarts shelf - 80-90 gear oil or 90 wt gear oil or up to 125 wt. Most of the brands come out of the same refinery. 90 wt is what the Ford manual recommends.

There is no drain. The ods of you wearing that gear oil out is none. That is unless your drive into the beach and get salt water in it. he-he.

[bettlesr]

In answer to John (JHN1967) from a while back, sorry for the delay, didn't see your post until today. Yes, the shift lever comes out about 2" closer to the seat. When I welded a Model A shift lever on to the stub sticking out of the transmission I tacked it on and checked the position of the shifter in all gears and then tweaked it until it felt comfortable. The the shift lever was welded solid,

[28]

Who’s good for conversion kits? I just picked up an rts 41od so we’ll see how it does with stock everything soon enough. I can fab up what I need but I’m willing to look at kits from guys that have done this regularly as they probably know what the hell they are doing. I already have an AA bell too. Will be going in a 28 fordor.

[AL in NY]

There's nobody reliable making the kits now except for Gary Bernard in Texas. His kit uses the standard Model A bell housing and requires the cross member to be badly notched and the brake cross shaft to be modified. Ken Parker used to do the kits and David Delume is not that reliable. In an earlier post I see Tim Sheridan's name in reference to a F150 kit, but don't know anything about him expect what that post said. The hardest part of the install is modifying that RTS transmission. All the mods to the Model A are pretty straight forward(this is from personel experience doing the install and mods myself).

[CarlG]

I have the kit made by Dave Delmue, as do several of the guys in our club. All pretty happy with his kit. First class machine & transmission work.

[bettlesr]

I have the kit by Tim Sheridan. It's very good and the cost was quite reasonable.

[AL in NY]

CarlG: As I remember it, you had a lot of trouble getting your kit from David Delume. A fellow in my club also had problems with him to the point he wasn't sure he would get it at all. Delume doesn't want to communicate with his customers in a timely manner. If I was going to get an F150 conversion for my Model A, Delume is the last person I would go to.........

[28]

I read the thread covering the issues with David and I gotta say CarlG you’ve got the patience and forgiveness of a saint. Sounds like a harrowing experience and I don’t know what David was going through but it must have been a lot. Can totally understand people’s reservations too.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by 28

I read the thread covering the issues with David and I gotta say CarlG you’ve got the patience and forgiveness of a saint. Sounds like a harrowing experience and I don’t know what David was going through but it must have been a lot. Can totally understand people’s reservations too.

I looked up David Delhome on Google sometime back when his website was down, and he has a number of other businesses going beside his Model A Only business. I imagine he doesn't much time he has to devote to his Model A business.

David Serrano

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

I looked up David Delhome on Google sometime back when his website was down, and he has a number of other businesses going beside his Model A Only business. I imagine he doesn't much time he has to devote to his Model A business.

David Serrano

Hey David,
Thanks for sharing your research findings.
'tooo many irons in the fire', is an old saying that makes apparent why such things occur. After reading your input, if a guy is informed and still goes on ahead with a source, well maybe patience (and faith) is required ?


I've learned this the 'hard' way, and prefer to avoid such source for my own use.