V8 Transmission Gears Photo Thread: When OK to use and when Not To.

[Bud]

I struggle with evaluating used transmission gears in V8 transmissions regarding what is usable versus too damaged to use. I am talking about all the components actually: main drive gears, second/low gears, and cluster gears (etc). I have purchased the Van Pelt rebuild manual and it is a fine reference which I would recommend to anyone. However I would like to ask the Fordbarn members to post photos of used gears and maybe state why they would use the gear or not use it. How much pitting is permissible? How much wear on the gear teeth and/or the synchronizer teeth? Where does one draw the line?
I am referring in particular to late 1930's toploader transmissions.
Thanks in advance for any information you are willing to share.

[rotorwrench]

What one person may consider OK another won't. Some parts can have a fair amount of normal wear and be OK and others can cause stuff like slipping out of gear and the like. Very small pits largely due to light surface corrosion would be considered OK by most folks. Deeper pitting can cause fractures and tooth breakage under use. Large pits or gear teeth with a piece broken off are getting a bit beyond serviceability but some folks will run stuff until is completely fails. The problem can be that other parts may be damaged when a breakage occurs which will render even more parts unserviceable. I stop at light wear and surface corrosion myself. I'm too old and lazy to want to lick that calf over again.

[cas3]

i look at the sides of the syncro teeth. some have nice sharp points and look good, but the side is worn short, so less depth when its engaged. also, both sides of the teeth should still be parallel so it dosent want to "walk out" of gear. good topic, hope we hear more

[Russ/40]

Bud, you raise a good point. I too would like to see more info in VanPelts book on assessment of the serviceability of components. What you ask though is a worthy project the Barn could accomplish, and end with Macs review.

[Hoop]

Don't know how many have personal experience with badly pitted gears and can add their results.

A while back I was helping a buddy with transmissions for his Model A hillcimb car. We went through a phase of using early V8 transmissions. I had a set of Lincoln Zephyr gears that were pretty badly pitted ... most would have tossed them.

I put them in a case and warned my friend that the noise would be awful but they should at least provide the gearing test we wanted.

We drove the car. NO noise and "smooth as budda." He then raced the car but was not satisfied with the set up. Slammed the crap out of everything with no problems. I still have the transmission and would not hesitate to use it.

BUT, that's my experience ... first hand ... others may have had pitted gears fly apart that proved to be caused by the pitting.

Interesting thread.

(... and I'm not going to tear it apart to take pictures.)

[Highboy34]

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I have a script Lincoln Zephyr 26 tooth cluster gear that may be NOS it has so little wear. But it obviously lay on it side on shelf, or floor, and was exposed to moisture. The sides of the gear teeth on one side of the gear are okay, but the flat outer edges of some of the teeth are pitted. If anyone wants it, make me an offer. It's not for the faint of heart, but a good welder and competent machinist might be able to make it usable. Nickle plated it would make a nifty lamp base.

[Dick Webber]

I'm using a cluster gear with a small chip in low as a temporary transmission (that has been 10 years in use. It functions normally but sometimes shifting across it you can feel the tic as the slider jumps across the little gap. It's lightly used maybe about 3000 miles but it's working just fine. You wouldn't hear it if you weren't looking for it.

[svm99]

Very good thread. I sort and use quite a few gears and parts. I'm very particular with synchro units, especially the sleeve. If I can feel the burr on the ends of the splines and see noticable notching on the splines I don't use the part, same with the hub. I don't worry much about light pitting on the teeth though don't run a gear if there is pitting in the bearing bore (input and cluster gears).

I believe the "Ford Script" gears are "tougher" than the aftermarket Borg Warner, Perfection and the such typically because I don't see as many chips or broken teeth on the Fords as I do the aftermarket gears which are possibly harder(?). I'll run a slightly worn Ford gear low gear over a chipped aftermarket low gear, a bit of whine is better than a destroyed trans due to a loose tooth running around inside.

I think proper clearancing is very important in transmission assembly so the gears don't have room to "move" about in operation. I'l post a pic or in a day or so.
Paul J.

[Mart]

The LZ gear pictured a few post above looks used to me. The ends of the first gear teeth are rounded over. that is typical of a used part.

Mart.

[John R]

Here is a used cluster gear showing the worst areas of pitting. Pretty typical condition. Overall, I'd call this "light" pitting. Probably OK to use. But I'd look for something a little better myself.

[Bud]

Thanks for everyone's input. I appreciate it. I hope others add more. Thanks again!

[Peterooster]

Is this rebuildable. Pete

[cas3]

it is, but teeth are hard to find

[svm99]

Originally Posted by Peterooster

Is this rebuildable. Pete

.......an after market input with no teeth, just the point I mentioned in my previous post.

[cas3]

agree. alot of the nos i see on ebay are borg warner, which i normally would say is good stuff, how ever, ford had the metallurgy thats for sure

[Peterooster]

Originally Posted by svm99

.......an after market input with no teeth, just the point I mentioned in my previous post.

I think this one was made in Brazil. Pete

[tubman]

Give me that, my old "buzz-box", some hard-surface rod, and an angle grinder and I'll have that good as new in an hour!