32 transmission with 39 gears

[my4dv8]

Our 32 B4 transmission has major health issues. Just a tired original 32 B4 trans. Even holding it in 2nd it gets angry and does not appreciate that. It shifts sort of between other gears.
We are doing a rebuild on the 32 and have a couple of driving (i rebuilt these many years ago) 39 trans and a 39 with 47 gears. I Know it seems a shame to pull a good working trans. Ok we do have a couple of unknown donors of similar vintage here also ,so should we pull one of these?
I know the gears swap over but does the case need massaging at all. What other pitfalls do we need to look out for.
Does a vendor do some sort of rebuild type kit ,minor or major, it would just save searching for individual components.

[jimTN]

The original shift forks will not work for the later synch and low gear. If your 32 is not original and has hyd brakes with a stop light switch on the master cyl, then you could use a later top and shift forks. Case itself should accept the later gears but will not accept a later centrif. pressure plate.

[rotorwrench]

Most folks do this mod for a transmission in the V8 applications. I'm not sure it will work for the model B engine applications. The B-7005 case may have some limitations. Mac VanPelt would be the go to guy for parts in any case. His transmission book, "Ins and Outs of Early Ford Transmissions", is a very good thing to have access to.

[62pan]

The gears do swap with no problem. You will need the later 39 shift tower and forks. Mac Van Pelt's book was a big help for me when I did this a few years back. Assembly is a little different because it is tight in the case.

[Hoop]

"What other pitfalls do we need to look out for."

"The gears do swap with no problem."


my4dv8,

Couple things here. First, you have not given the guys enough information to get adequate, correct advice ... therefore, you are told there will be "no problem."

One key piece of information is the gear ratio of the donor gears ... it could be one of 4 or 5 different sets. COUNT the number of teeth on the Main Drive Gear, the front top small gear in the transmission.

Tell us what it is.

Determine the rear end gear ratio.

Tell us what it is.

The gear ratio is important because it will determine how much trouble you're going to have installing the gears. They all do not simply drop right in.

The rear ratio will help you determine the drivability of your choices.

(edit: Yes, been there. Done that.)

(Mac Van Pelt is the best source for quality parts and can provide you with a rebuild "package" depending on your specific needs.)

[my4dv8]

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Thanks Hoop
The trans I have selected from my stash is 16/28 gear set, I believe I pulled these from a 46 coupe way back. There are other donors here if you feel this does not suit;

Rear end ratio i feel is 4.11 ( untouched 32 ) Though I am contemplating seriously a switch to 3.54 rear gears ,I have a 3.54 35/36 v8 rear but our early32 torque tube probably wont match this . Will a shortened 34 one work?
Swap the original 32 rear to 3.54??

The rear tires are 750 x 16. (31”)

The Motor will be a mild B4 with a cragar OHV , mild cam , 2x81 strombergs , headers.
The aim is to be able to cruise at 60mph (hopes)

[NealinCA]

Originally Posted by my4dv8

Rear end ratio i feel is 4.11 ( untouched 32 ) Though I am contemplating seriously a switch to 3.54 rear gears ,I have a 3.54 35/36 v8 rear but our early32 torque tube probably wont match this . Will a shortened 34 one work?
Swap the original 32 rear to 3.54??

The rear tires are 750 x 16. (31”)

The Motor will be a mild B4 with a cragar OHV , mild cam , 2x81 strombergs , headers.
The aim is to be able to cruise at 60mph (hopes)

Model A gears will work in the early B rear end. I put a set of 3.54's in an early B rear in a 32 sedan. Also had 16/28 gear combo with 7.50-16's. Main difference was a mild 239 flathead V8 instead of the 4cyl. The car was a pleasure to drive.

Neal

[my4dv8]

Thanks Neal, ours is the early 32 rear with the round pinion/torque tube face. Love the look of your Deuce , ours will be similar , old original worn paint , user friendly. We have a few hot rods with flatheads and Y blocks , but trying to go with only more original old ford parts on this one.

[Hoop]

Sounds like a good start. 16/28 should fit, but had you been thinking about 15/29 in a B case ... not so easy.

The 15/29, however, is a good match with a 3.54 rear in a heavier later V8 car. You probably have enough torque to get it rolling without excessive slip, especially if the car is light with the 16/28.

As you are already aware, tires are a poor man's quick change rear.

Good work.

[62pan]

I should have mentioned that the swap I did was 16/28. Therefore no problem.

[Hoop]

62pan, it's a combined effort to cover it all. Plus, some of us have tried doing things the hard way and learned the hard way.

[my4dv8]

Have ordered Mac vanpelts transmission book last week.
According to the formula 3.54 ( rear ratio) x 60mph x 366 (fixed number) divided by 31 (tire diameter) = 2507 rpm @ 60 mph. Is this still too high for a B4 to cruise at safely all day?

[my4dv8]

Mac Vanpelts book arrived today and looks very thorough in explanation and details.
It does not touch on late gears in an early B4 case at all , he says he doesnt get involved in modifications, “ you are on your own” .
While what i am doing is not a modification , I am hoping his book will guide me .

[Hoop]

It's there.

[my4dv8]

Thx Hoop. When my left eye is open do the same for the right eye,
yes on page 52 he covers fitting an open drive to and early 18 or model B case. Sounds interesting.

[Andy]

I have a B case with open drive and 39 up gears. It will work

[Mac VP]

Ahhh...my words come back to haunt me. What I was trying to say was mostly regarding the sort of dramatic mods that some people have tried over the years. Things that involve cutting, welding, and machining parts or cases in order to change the regular selection of Ford parts to create a special “one off “ sort of transmission build to suit the builders special custom build.

Putting the late style gears (ie: 39-48) into a 32 B type case is certainly doable.....provided you use the correct blend of gears and the matching shifter housing and forks that will work with it. The book wasn’t intended to delve into every possible variation of custom rebuilds but was more oriented to the stock transmission rebuilds for the 32-48 era. Our website has a special section devoted to some of the unusual Ford transmissions and custom builds. Perhaps this information, along with the book, will help guide you on your quest. Naturally, you can always email us with specific questions, as well as post them to this forum for a broader range of responses. Here’s the link to our site’s transmission section.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...sID_3speed.htm

Each section has some information beyond what you might find in the book.

[qmdv]

Mac is a very helpful fellow. Always shop with him. I do know that other vendors have some of the same stuff he sells but I also know that if he sells it it will meet high standards.

Tim

[my4dv8]

Thanks Mac VP. Your web site was very informative, I certainly learnt a lot more.
Another Question , is there an advantage fitting a later 37-48 type front bearing retainer with pressed in seal ,presuming it fits, to the early B4 case. Rather than the early 32 front retainer with only a spiral groove.

[Mac VP]

Yes on the front bearing retainer question. The 78-7050 retainer will fit back to 1932 cases. Same fit to the case and to the throw out bearing hub. This retainer accepts the 78-7052 press in oil seal. We make this upgrade on all our 32-36 rebuilds. You can also put them on the 49-50 Mercury transmission, which also came with a spiral groove (no seal) retainer.