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Old 10-11-2020, 02:05 PM   #21
tubman
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

As a point of reference, I have a '51 Mercury engine in my '51 Ford club coupe; it has massaged Edmunds heads, a Mallory dual point, and a 2G on a bored out Merc manifold. It also has 3.55 rear end gears and 2.25/75R15 rear tires; no overdrive (which I intend to remedy). It cruises nicely at 65 mph, turning 2800 RPM. Anything over that is "uncomfortable"; the engine seems to be in a range it doesn't like. Don't get me wrong;, it will easily turn over 4000 RPM, but if you want to just ride down he road, 2700-2800 RPM is all these negines like.
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:16 PM   #22
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

beware the overdrive solenoid is 6 volt...if you are converting to 12v.
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Old 10-12-2020, 12:10 AM   #23
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

For identification of my OD transmission, here are better pictures of the numbers stamped on the 3 speed part and the overdrive part of the unit. The input shaft is a 1" 10 spline. Does anyone know of any vehicles that used an 11 or 10 inch clutch plate to fit this transmission?
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Old 10-12-2020, 10:39 AM   #24
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

The casting marks won't tell much more than what the basic casting part identifier was for the manufacturing process. 1-inch 10-spline is consistent with the transmissions that had the Borg Warner mounting bolt pattern starting in 1949. The late 1951 Mercury used the Borg and Beck 10-inch clutch but a person may be able to use GM diaphragm type clutch from the mid 70s GM products only it would need the modified fingers for the throw out to work. A person can find the L51 Merc clutch on flea-pay now and then. They used the 1-inch 10-spline disk and work well. Ft Wayne Clutch can rebuild them. I use them for my early 51 Merc clutches with the 1 3/8" 10-spline. The cover is almost the same but has a different center hole diameter. I have the Borg & Beck numbers for them in my Hollander Interchange book. A person can also use the 9.5 inch 8BA clutch and flywheel with this spline. Any 8BA flywheel can be redrilled to fit whatever you want. The Borg & Beck or diaphragm type clutches use the same six evenly spaced bolt pattern so that would be the easiest way to go for a 10-inch clutch.
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Old 10-12-2020, 05:49 PM   #25
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

I put that same transmission in my .53 F 100. I swapped the original 3 speed input shaft into a thunderbird OD transmission and everything fit fine. Just make sure the number of teeth on both input shafts are the same.
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Old 10-13-2020, 09:08 AM   #26
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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If the parts were from a T85 then they should interchange. The 259 series transmission parts also will interchange with similar transmissions with rectangular side covers as long as they are diamond gear types produced from 1951 on. The major differences between overdrive and non overdrive transmissions is the case and the main shaft. The 49 & 50 Ford car transmissions are similar to the later 259 series but they have the early gears and different clutch mechanical mountings. The 51 Ford transmissions are similar to the 49 & 50 but they have the new diamond gears. Swing pedals came along in 1952 so the cases changed to reflect that. Ford & Mercury cars used the same basic transmission in 52 & 53 but the late 51 Mercury had the different bell housing due to the frame mounted pedals. The T85 transmission was the heavy duty 3-speed in the Y-block years and the 259 series was one of the two light duty transmissions. The other light duty was the T86 top loader in the Y-block years.
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Old 10-13-2020, 10:25 AM   #27
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

eagle43.. If i have read your tread correctly, your '52 had a floor shift and you are converting to a column shift OD trans.
Many years ago I restored a '37 Ford 1/2 ton.. I used a '47-48 Columbia rear end with a column shift trans. I harvested a steering column out of a 58-59 F100, column shift, shortened it up a bit and installed it on the '37 steering gear box. Very easy installation.
One of the advantages of using the '58-59 Ford F100 column was the built-in turn signal switch. I did have to use the later model steering wheel, which I don't recall if it was a '58 or was it earlier?
I think I have a couple 58-59 F100 columns in my parts stash.
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Old 10-13-2020, 10:34 AM   #28
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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Originally Posted by tubman View Post
As a point of reference, I have a '51 Mercury engine in my '51 Ford club coupe; it has massaged Edmunds heads, a Mallory dual point, and a 2G on a bored out Merc manifold. It also has 3.55 rear end gears and 2.25/75R15 rear tires; no overdrive (which I intend to remedy). It cruises nicely at 65 mph, turning 2800 RPM. Anything over that is "uncomfortable"; the engine seems to be in a range it doesn't like. Don't get me wrong;, it will easily turn over 4000 RPM, but if you want to just ride down he road, 2700-2800 RPM is all these negines like.

My '36 has had an OD, Columbia, under it since new.. Believe me an OD under a EFV8 makes the car into a very nice, economical vehicle. even with my well built engine I have gotten as high as 22 mpg on on the highway. Kick the OD down to be a smart ass, or in the hills.
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Old 10-13-2020, 10:44 AM   #29
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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Never seen a 1952 with overdrive.Was this from the factory?My 52 is all stock with 3.92 rear end and will run 65mph all day long with plenty of pedal left!

I was with my father when he drove the '52 out of Stoddard Ford in Idaho Falls, ID..
In 1954 my father traded the '52 in on a new F1, six cylinder, three on the tree, Sea Foam Green, I hated that truck, a gutless wonder.
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Old 10-13-2020, 11:07 PM   #30
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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eagle43.. If i have read your tread correctly, your '52 had a floor shift and you are converting to a column shift OD trans.
It would originally have come with a floor shift but I got it with a FE 352, an automatic transmission and the car steering column. I need a side shift column to go with the OD transmission I want to install.
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Old 10-14-2020, 01:05 PM   #31
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

This link shows the 3 on the tree for pickups. They didn't start using them in 1948 but they were retro fit on some occasions. The later F100 set up is different but might be usable with some mods.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#&gid=1&pid=1

There is also a link on there for the F100 diagram and it looks similar in some ways. The 3 on the tree was not as common in the F1 years as it was in the F100. There are likely a few still out there though.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 10-14-2020 at 01:13 PM.
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Old 10-31-2020, 09:27 PM   #32
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

I finished cleaning up, painting and bolting in the transmission today. I think everything on the transmission and overdrive is good. I'm looking for a 16 spline slip yoke and a new modern seal for the back. There was a lot of dirt in the overdrive since it was open at the back end but it cleaned up nicely. It is an R10.

There does seem to be a problem with the clutch. I used the truck pressure plate and throwout bearing and made a sleeve to fit it on the car bellhousing clutch arms. I bought a new clutch plate to fit the transmission - 1" 10 spline. I have no idea why I cannot move the clutch with a wrench so it's back to the drawing board. Maybe I need to use more force but I'm scared of breaking things.

I'm still looking for a side shift steering column and a clutch pedal. I found what appears to be a 1953 Ford sedan (correct me if I'm wrong) at a local wrecking yard. It has a side shift steering column. It may have a useable clutch pedal but I forgot to check when I was there last week. This is one of those yards where you take out your own parts. This is where I got my motor mounts and cross member almost two years ago. Does anyone know if a car steering column will work in a pickup?
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Old 11-01-2020, 11:44 AM   #33
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

The length may be different. If it's close to the same it may work. If it's too far off then it may not work without some modification. I don't have to tell you how critical a steering shaft is to your personal safety so take modification seriously.
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Old 11-01-2020, 11:48 AM   #34
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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Originally Posted by blucar View Post
My father bought a new '52 Ford F1 with V8 and an overdrive trans. the gear shift was on the column.
...
Quote:
Originally Posted by 40ford View Post
Never seen a 1952 with overdrive.Was this from the factory?My 52 is all stock with 3.92 rear end and will run 65mph all day long with plenty of pedal left!
OD wasn't a factory option in '52 on any F-series truck, '53 and newer had them. Blucar, do you have a picture of that truck? I have to believe it was a '53 that was sold in '52 and titled as such.

Eagle43, have you laid out the trans on the frame yet? The biggest obstacle on making these fit in a 48-52 F-1 is that the solenoid falls right on the trans crossmember, requiring a large cut. The crossmember in F-2's and larger is further back and has a much larger clear area.
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Old 11-01-2020, 12:36 PM   #35
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

"Does anyone know if a car steering column will work in a pickup"


I put a 1950 Mercury OD in a 1948 F2. I took the mast off an early 50's
Ford car and installed it on the F2 column, had to shorten the mast a little.
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Old 11-01-2020, 10:29 PM   #36
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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Eagle43, have you laid out the trans on the frame yet? The biggest obstacle on making these fit in a 48-52 F-1 is that the solenoid falls right on the trans crossmember, requiring a large cut. The crossmember in F-2's and larger is further back and has a much larger clear area.
You're right. I just checked with a tape measure and the solenoid lines up with the crossmember. The mount on the transmission doesn't line up with the crossmember as I thought but will be an inch or so behind the crossmember. I can move the crossmember since it's bolted in but that will probably screw up the master cylinder and pedals. Any suggestions? I also don't know how I'll mount the tranny. How did you mount yours?
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Old 11-01-2020, 10:55 PM   #37
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

I bought an OD trans at a swap meet, and after measuring it up, sold it. I can't say I've ever seen a successful transplant, but I have heard changing the crossmember to an F-2/3 type gives the clearance. Not sure what else is required, and the F-2/3 crossmember normally mounts further back than the F-1 type. Honestly I doubt it will work in the F-1 position. The bottom line is, it's less work to install a T5.
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Old 11-02-2020, 02:08 PM   #38
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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You're right. I just checked with a tape measure and the solenoid lines up with the crossmember. The mount on the transmission doesn't line up with the crossmember as I thought but will be an inch or so behind the crossmember. I can move the crossmember since it's bolted in but that will probably screw up the master cylinder and pedals. Any suggestions? I also don't know how I'll mount the tranny. How did you mount yours?

First thing, don't give up! You will love having that overdrive! The naysayers like their T5's and their measly 5 speeds, but you will have a 6 speed trans! (Although an extra switch is usually needed to get overdrive in low.) When the T5 guys need to downshift they have to push in the clutch and tug the shift lever, while all you have to do is floor the gas pedal to kick down into direct third (or fifth gear if you are counting all six)! Then just let up on the gas and you're automatically back in overdrive (or sixth)!

There is an adapter to relocate the solenoid, but I can't remember what car used it or how hard it is to find one.

Last edited by 40 Deluxe; 11-02-2020 at 02:46 PM.
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Old 11-02-2020, 02:49 PM   #39
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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First thing, don't give up! You will love having that overdrive! The naysayers like their T5's and their measly 5 speeds, but you will have a 6 speed trans! (Although an extra switch is usually needed to get overdrive in low.) When the T5 guys need to downshift they have to push in the clutch and tug the shift lever, while all you have to do is floor the gas pedal to kick down into direct third (or fifth gear if you are counting all six)! Then just let up on the gas and you're automatically back in overdrive (or sixth)!

There is an adapter to relocate the solenoid, but I can't remember what car used it or how hard it is to find one.

I just found a reference on Hemmings to a special solenoid with a longer nose to clear the crossmember on trucks and convertibles. Said it was very rare. This may have been what I was thinking about. Will look further
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Old 11-05-2020, 08:02 PM   #40
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Default Re: Overdrive Transmission in a 1952 F1

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My father bought a new '52 Ford F1 with V8 and an overdrive trans. the gear shift was on the column.
I loved that truck, I put thousand's of miles on that truck driving around Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming and Utah. With the OD the truck had the best of the best, low gearing for hills and high gearing for the open road. IF I ever run into a '52 F1 that is green, V8 & OD, radio and deluxe heater I'll buy it.
I had a '59 Ford F100 V8 OD, PS, big window, custom cab 6' fleet side, for many tears. One day a man offered me a lot of money for the truck, much to my regret, I sold it.
Ive never heard or seen any material in the data books showing an F1 in 52 that was able to be purchased with an overdrive? Have you ever found any thing that says that? Just curious as how you know that the truck came with that option originally? Thanks for any info or clarification on this. -john
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