1940 Ford Cluster Gear Question

[19Fordy]

I have a Ford cluster gear # 68-7113A "tagged as NOS". There is no sign of old gear oil or previous use. Tooth count is 28-24-18-14. There are no bushings in the "bore" and the internal bore measures 1.125 in. I know it has never been used but, I am wondering if the first gear tooth shape and configuration is suppose to look like photos below. Are the teeth shaped this way for ease of shifting into first gear? I am told this fits 1936-48 Ford.

The teeth do look the same as another used cluster gear I removed from a 40 transmission. In Mr. van pelt's book, I read about the "Square tooth and Diamond tooth" design changes in 1950 but didn't see any specific info. about "tooth shape" for earlier year gears.

Thank you for your continued help. Jim

[Admiral]

I'm no expert, but that doesn't look NOS to me. I could be wrong, though... it happened once before.

[Charlie ny]

Nice usable but NOT NOS.........
Charlie ny

[Bored&Stroked]

I've had quite a few NOS cluster gears and I do not see this particular cluster as NOS. It has chipping on the initial engagement part of some teeth and also you can see the wear on the sides of the teeth (where first gear starts sliding into the cluster).

[Mart]

I would agree that it doesn't look NOS. It does look in good useable condition, though. It's a classic 28 tooth cluster from a 16/28 gearset.

[19Fordy]

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Thank you all for your valuable experience.
I realize more and more that I have a lot to learn.
The mix and matching of transmission parts is co critical.

Can someone please post a photo showing what the teeth of a NOS cluster gear
(like the one I posted) is suppose to look like when new?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Thank you all for your valuable experience.
I realize more and more that I have a lot to learn.
The mix and matching of transmission parts is co critical.

Can someone please post a photo showing what the teeth of a NOS cluster gear
(like the one I posted) is suppose to look like when new?

How's this, Jim? DD

[19Fordy]

THANK YOU V8: That photo is a big help. My gear is obviously used. I have two old transmissions I took apart and am trying to find out if any of the parts are worth saving or put in the recycle bin. I know the input shafts can be "saved' and used as clutch alignment tools.

Again, Thanks.

[Bored&Stroked]

The cluster you have is very serviceable - especially if somebody takes a high-speed die-grinder and polishes the tips of the teeth in question. It is easy to do and I've done it on quite a few used clusters . . .

[19Fordy]

Thanks Bored & Stroked for that tip. I'll try and find a close up photo of the correct tooth configuration and give it a try. I do have a die grinder. If you happen to have a photo of one you have done, please post it. I do have 2 more cluster gears that need that "touching up" also.
Thanks. JIM

[Early Ford Junkie]

I just picked up a bunch of early Ford stuff from an estate sale I just glanced in some of the boxes I think I counted almost 29 cluster gears in it. I have to go through them and see what they all are

[rotorwrench]

The low/reverse slider gear and its mating gear on the cluster shaft always round off a bit since they aren't synchronized. It doesn't take long for this to happen on new gears. For used gears, it's generally not a big problem since it is already broken in. The main thing is that it passes all other inspection criteria for a used part before accepting it for reuse or before putting up for sale.

1951 & later "diamond profile gears" have a much narrower flat dimension at the apex of the gear teeth than the earlier gears plus the cluster and other gears have different tooth counts.

The 1949 through very early 1951 Mercury has the latest part number gears that will fit the older transmissions and were the replacement parts for some time. The clusters are interchangeable back to 1936 but the counter shaft bearings and thrust bearing for the late type cluster have to be later type as well. Mac has all this stuff. His small parts kit is the hot smokin tip for overhaul. He has them for both late and early type clusters.

[19Fordy]

Thank you all for responding with such helpful info. and photos.