The Ford Barn

hardtimes · 06-20-2014, 03:49 PM

Awhile back , I got a 4 speed trans out of a rodded A pickup. Complete with what is known as a hogshead bellhousing. As fate would have it, just got a 3 speed trans out of a rodded A pickup. Bell looks same/same on both.
My inquiry is ...did Ford put 3 and 4 speed trans in A pickup and did both have hoghead bells ?

Attached are some pictures of the two mentioned A transmissions. I was wrong in stating that the two bell housings are SAME ! Four speed bell is near 5" deep and three speed bell is near 6 1/2" deep. Throwout bearings are different with four speed looking larger/stronger size and four speed is attached with SIX large bolts, whereas three speed is attached with four bolts. However, they both have same holes / pattern for attaching to flywheel cover.
My question now is ....can either or both of these bell housings be used on A and/or B engines ? And, which if any is 'hogshead' ?

Bob C · 06-20-2014, 04:49 PM

There was a heavy duty three speed, open driveline, with a hogs head.
Are your transmissions Model A or later?

Bob

James Rogers · 06-20-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Awhile back , I got a 4 speed trans out of a rodded A pickup. Complete with what is known as a hogshead bellhousing. As fate would have it, just got a 3 speed trans out of a rodded A pickup. Bell looks same/same on both.
My inquiry is ...did Ford put 3 and 4 speed trans in A pickup and did both have hoghead bells ?

Pictures?

redmodelt · 06-20-2014, 06:13 PM

The "hogshead" is a Model T term for the transmission cover and is nothing like the A bell housing. The 4 speed would need to use a truck bell housing which is not the same as the 3 speed housing. The truck/4 speed housing and transmission can be used in a car or pickup. The bolt pattern where the transmission bolts to it is different between the 3 and 4 speed.
Don't know if Ford ever supplied a 4 speed in a pickup but there are later conversions to get the real low 1st gear.

Bob C · 06-20-2014, 08:48 PM

Here is a HD 3 speed and a 4 speed hogs head.

Bob

hardtimes · 06-21-2014, 12:59 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by James Rogers

Pictures?

Thanks guys ! Will add pictures of both trans...side by side tomorrow , if time allows.
BTW, both trans came out of 1929 Ford Model A pickups.

hardtimes · 06-21-2014, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redmodelt

The "hogshead" is a Model T term for the transmission cover and is nothing like the A bell housing. The 4 speed would need to use a truck bell housing which is not the same as the 3 speed housing. The truck/4 speed housing and transmission can be used in a car or pickup. The bolt pattern where the transmission bolts to it is different between the 3 and 4 speed.
Don't know if Ford ever supplied a 4 speed in a pickup but there are later conversions to get the real low 1st gear.

Interesting information. Maybe I'm IDing wrong. Maybe pictures tomorrow will help.

Bob C · 06-29-2014, 03:59 PM

In the first picture the one on the left is the AA 4-speed and the one on the right is
an A 3-speed. I have seen both of the bell housings used for installing 5-speeds
or 4-speed OD transmissions. I think the AA bell housing is preferred because
it gets the trans a little farther ahead of the cross member.

Bob

06-20-2014, 04:49 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,753	Re: 'hoghead' ? There was a heavy duty three speed, open driveline, with a hogs head. Are your transmissions Model A or later? Bob

06-20-2014, 06:13 PM	#4
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: 'hoghead' ? The "hogshead" is a Model T term for the transmission cover and is nothing like the A bell housing. The 4 speed would need to use a truck bell housing which is not the same as the 3 speed housing. The truck/4 speed housing and transmission can be used in a car or pickup. The bolt pattern where the transmission bolts to it is different between the 3 and 4 speed. Don't know if Ford ever supplied a 4 speed in a pickup but there are later conversions to get the real low 1st gear.

06-29-2014, 03:59 PM	#8
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,753	Re: 'hoghead' ? In the first picture the one on the left is the AA 4-speed and the one on the right is an A 3-speed. I have seen both of the bell housings used for installing 5-speeds or 4-speed OD transmissions. I think the AA bell housing is preferred because it gets the trans a little farther ahead of the cross member. Bob