32 Transmission Refresh

[jim1932]

I had a transmission sitting around and decided to check it all out to mate to a newly rebuilt B motor. All the gears look great in it. Should I replace items like the bearings and bushings whil I have it half apart? Or just reassmble and run it with new gaskets?

[DavidG]

If the bearings are pitted, excessively loose, or rusty, I'd replace them. Check the end play on the cluster gear and replace the thrust washers as required. The only bushing are the one in the reverse idler gear and I have yet to encounter one worn out. The other sort-of bushing is that which second gear rotates on and those are more prone to wear.

[jim1932]

Only issue I found were these teeth on the cluster Gear. Not terrible, but probably should replace? All on the same gear.

[DavidG]

I would (replace it).

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by jim1932

Only issue I found were these teeth on the cluster Gear. Not terrible, but probably should replace? All on the same gear.

[petehoovie]

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I agree with David...

[JM 35 Sedan]

With all due respect to those who have already commented, It's difficult for me to see what those gear teeth actually look like, even with the resized pictures, due to the oil film, discoloration, and other particals of crud that appears to be on those gear teeth. If that cluster was cleaned up better, you might get a different verdict on replacement. You will always get some "lead in" wear on the first gear and cluster gear teeth on these early transmissions, but from what I can see on yours, that alone would not be a reason for replacement, IMHO.

[J Franklin]

Clean them up and reshoot the photos. I bet those gears would last many more miles.

[Mac VP]

I agree that a good cleanup of those gears would be helpful in determining their usefulness. The photo images aren’t sufficient to see clearly if there is excessive pitting, galling, or even a badly chipped tooth (a full look around each gear rather than the single angles shown).

Any early Ford closed drive transmission is a pain in the rear to remove and, of course, to reinstall. So it makes sense to pull it apart to inspect everything. Ball bearings can be deceptive….you can’t really see the condition of the races and they could turn smoothly but be “growlers” under load. Thrust washers and correct thickness snap rings are inexpensive and should always be replaced regardless of the overall condition of the transmission.

[jim1932]

I will pull the remaining gears to night and clean up as best I can.

[1952henry]

Thanks for piping in, Mr. Van Pelt. Thought I had read once about replacing thrust washers, this confirms it.

[jim1932]

better shots. All other gears look fine. So gear cluster, bearings and thrust washers plus gaskets.......

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by jim1932

better shots. All other gears look fine. So gear cluster, bearings and thrust washers plus gaskets.......

YES...

[DavidG]

Double that yes, especially given the extra hassle of changing a transmission in a '32 compared to the following model years.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by jim1932

better shots. All other gears look fine. So gear cluster, bearings and thrust washers plus gaskets.......

Jim, thanks for taking the time to clean up that cluster gear and take new pictures. After clearly seeing the condition of those cluster gear teeth, I agree that it would be in your best interest to replace that cluster gear, although I have seen gears that looked much worse in transmisions that were being sold as "having been rebuilt"

[38 coupe]

Something damaged the teeth on that cluster gear. Did a previous repair already replace the 1st / reverse slider gear? If not the slider probably has matching damage.

[jim1932]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

Something damaged the teeth on that cluster gear. Did a previous repair already replace the 1st / reverse slider gear? If not the slider probably has matching damage.

I do not know the history of the Transmission but the 1st/ reverse slider looks perfect.

[jim1932]

Then again....is this supposed to look the same on both sides?
I was focused on the grooves.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by jim1932

Then again....is this supposed to look the same on both sides?
I was focused on the grooves.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by jim1932

Then again....is this supposed to look the same on both sides?
I was focused on the grooves.

That's the reverse idler gear . 38 coupe was referring to the 1st/reverse sliding gear that meshes with the cluster gear.

The reverse idler gear only sees action on one side, as the 1st/reverse gear slides back to engage with the reverse idler gear to reverse rotation of the output shaft.

PS....unless you already have a copy, I would recommend that you purchase a copy of Mac VanPelt's transmission book. It will tell you most everything you need to know about these early Ford 3 speed transmissions.