The Ford Barn

Cape Codder · 11-27-2017, 11:25 AM

Can the gears in the transmission be changed so that 3rd gear would be in the Top Right side of "H" pattern?

Sure would seem much better for leg room on trips!

Great Lakes Greg · 11-27-2017, 12:22 PM

Nope. Third has to stay where it is to catch the main shaft on the front of the transmission. Old Dodge Brothers cars had high gear where our second is.

Jim Brierley · 11-27-2017, 12:27 PM

Try lifting the gear shift lever up (against the heavy spring) and rotating it out of the way.

Y-Blockhead · 11-27-2017, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Can the gears in the transmission be changed so that 3rd gear would be in the Top Right side of "H" pattern?

Sure would seem much better for leg room on trips!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

Try lifting the gear shift lever up (against the heavy spring) and rotating it out of the way.

Jim, Not sure I would try that while driving...

CarlG · 11-27-2017, 01:23 PM

Put a F150 4-speed OD in. Then 3rd gear is upper right.

Synchro909 · 11-27-2017, 05:17 PM

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Crickey! You need more leg room because the gear stick is in the way. You would be in real trouble over here!

eagle · 11-27-2017, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Jim, Not sure I would try that while driving...

Why not? I do it all the time. When you need to shift just rotate it down and it snaps right into place. I also bent my shifter to make more room. Grab onto it with both hands and bend it where you want it. Try not to apply the pressure against the shift forks. That's what I did.

klawockvet · 11-27-2017, 10:01 PM

Wasn't this one of Henry's better ideas and advertised to give more room? At least thats what I was told as a youngster.

Bill G · 11-27-2017, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klawockvet

Wasn't this one of Henry's better ideas and advertised to give more room? At least thats what I was told as a youngster.

Someone once told me that it was so a person could enter and exit the car from the passenger side when parked and easily slide across the front seat.

CWPASADENA · 11-27-2017, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Jim, Not sure I would try that while driving...

I have driven thousands of miles with the shift lever swung up out of the way. Never had a problem. The detents in the shift rails keep everything in place.

Chris W.

daveymc29 · 11-27-2017, 10:35 PM

Some young lady showed me how that worked in my brother's 37 Roadster. She was correct, much more room.

Y-Blockhead · 11-27-2017, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

Try lifting the gear shift lever up (against the heavy spring) and rotating it out of the way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle

Why not? I do it all the time. When you need to shift just rotate it down and it snaps right into place. I also bent my shifter to make more room. Grab onto it with both hands and bend it where you want it. Try not to apply the pressure against the shift forks. That's what I did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWPASADENA

I have driven thousands of miles with the shift lever swung up out of the way. Never had a problem. The detents in the shift rails keep everything in place.

Chris W.

Jeez, I meant the part about lifting the gear shift up while steering a moving car. Obviously not a problem for you guys...

Quote:

Originally Posted by klawockvet

Wasn't this one of Henry's better ideas and advertised to give more room? At least thats what I was told as a youngster.

I sincerely doubt Henry advertised to move the shifter out of the way while driving. Parked? Maybe? But, hey. What do I know.

eagle · 11-27-2017, 11:06 PM

It doesn't lift hard, once your used to it, it isn't a problem.

25tford · 11-27-2017, 11:35 PM

When I had a 1929 Ford Model A tudor years ago the first thing my older neighbor showed me is by lifting and turning shift lever as described in the other messages;
"Here's how you get your girl to sit closer when you are parked".

40 Deluxe · 11-28-2017, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Can the gears in the transmission be changed so that 3rd gear would be in the Top Right side of "H" pattern?

Sure would seem much better for leg room on trips!

How about converting to a column shift like Ford did in 1940? There is plenty of info on upgrading to a V8 style case. Just get a '40-'48 trans and steering column with shift linkage, and start wrenching. It will be mostly bolt-in and will be able to return to stock parts easily.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-28-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Can the gears in the transmission be changed so that 3rd gear would be in the Top Right side of "H" pattern?

Sure would seem much better for leg room on trips!

I heated & bent Minervas' shifter, 3 TIMES, to get a "little" more leg room!
Bill Torch

Jim Brierley · 11-28-2017, 12:37 PM

Practice while parked, it's easy!

Cape Codder · 11-29-2017, 03:04 PM

eagle: Are you saying that you bent the shifter WITHOUT applying heat?

I had known about pulling the shifter up but did not have any luck! Maybe I need a little more spinach! So the idea of changing the gears, which several have chimed in and said not possible, so that thought of heating the shifter and bending. I will pursue pulling the shifter up a little more.

eagle · 11-29-2017, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

eagle: Are you saying that you bent the shifter WITHOUT applying heat?

I had known about pulling the shifter up but did not have any luck! Maybe I need a little more spinach! So the idea of changing the gears, which several have chimed in and said not possible, so that thought of heating the shifter and bending. I will pursue pulling the shifter up a little more.

Yes. It takes some spinach but its possible. Didn't want to discolor it. Also, if you haven't pulled the shifter up, it can be a little sticky.

1930.68B · 11-29-2017, 04:45 PM

Put a F150 4-speed OD in. Then 3rd gear is upper right.
Attached Thumbnails

I have the bell housing that is used to make this conversion but haven't been able to find any details about the year model of the Ford transmission I would need or what effect it has on the drive shaft tube. If you are aware of a thread on this subject, would post a link or title to look for.
Thanks

11-27-2017, 11:25 AM	#1
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Transmission Conversion Can the gears in the transmission be changed so that 3rd gear would be in the Top Right side of "H" pattern? Sure would seem much better for leg room on trips!

11-27-2017, 12:22 PM	#2
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: Transmission Conversion Nope. Third has to stay where it is to catch the main shaft on the front of the transmission. Old Dodge Brothers cars had high gear where our second is.

11-27-2017, 12:27 PM	#3
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,089	Re: Transmission Conversion Try lifting the gear shift lever up (against the heavy spring) and rotating it out of the way.

11-27-2017, 05:17 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Transmission Conversion Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Crickey! You need more leg room because the gear stick is in the way. You would be in real trouble over here! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

11-27-2017, 10:01 PM	#8
klawockvet Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Klawock, AK/Kanab, UT Posts: 301	Re: Transmission Conversion Wasn't this one of Henry's better ideas and advertised to give more room? At least thats what I was told as a youngster.

11-27-2017, 10:35 PM	#11
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,554	Re: Transmission Conversion Some young lady showed me how that worked in my brother's 37 Roadster. She was correct, much more room.

11-27-2017, 11:06 PM	#13
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Transmission Conversion It doesn't lift hard, once your used to it, it isn't a problem. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

11-27-2017, 11:35 PM	#14
25tford Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 1	Re: Transmission Conversion When I had a 1929 Ford Model A tudor years ago the first thing my older neighbor showed me is by lifting and turning shift lever as described in the other messages; "Here's how you get your girl to sit closer when you are parked".

11-28-2017, 12:37 PM	#17
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,089	Re: Transmission Conversion Practice while parked, it's easy!

11-29-2017, 03:04 PM	#18
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Re: Transmission Conversion eagle: Are you saying that you bent the shifter WITHOUT applying heat? I had known about pulling the shifter up but did not have any luck! Maybe I need a little more spinach! So the idea of changing the gears, which several have chimed in and said not possible, so that thought of heating the shifter and bending. I will pursue pulling the shifter up a little more.

11-29-2017, 04:45 PM	#20
1930.68B Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Canton, IL Posts: 186	Re: Transmission Conversion Put a F150 4-speed OD in. Then 3rd gear is upper right. Attached Thumbnails I have the bell housing that is used to make this conversion but haven't been able to find any details about the year model of the Ford transmission I would need or what effect it has on the drive shaft tube. If you are aware of a thread on this subject, would post a link or title to look for. Thanks