Transmission endplay

[Mercmarc]

Hello everyone,

Stock 1935 ford slantback 221 V8 with a 3 speed.

Question is, does anyone know the acceptable endplay tolerance for the input shaft for a 3 speed transmission? Straight cut gears on first and reverse.

Is running a sealed bearing on the output shaft recommended? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[RalphM]

Contact Mac Van Pelt, he knows these tranny's inside out. He literally "wrote the book" on them.

[Mercmarc]

Thank you RalphM

I have Van Pelts book and others, I will contact Mac Van Pelt to see what he can share.

Thanks again

M

[Talkwrench]

Open bearing are there for a reason..

[Mac VP]

Ford never gave a specification for endplay of the main drive gear (input shaft). However, like practically everything else in the transmission, it's best to have minimal endplay. The location (and thus the movement) of this gear is controlled by its ball bearing.....and that is controlled by its snap ring. This is the B-7026 snap ring which is supposed to be .075-077" thick. A worn snap ring is no better than a thinner ring. Either one will allow the ball bearing (and thus the main drive gear) to move forward.....away from the synchro assembly, by the slop of a snap ring that should not be used.

Be careful when considering using old snap rings. You can measure .075" thickness but miss the wear on the inside edge. This is the part that sits in the groove of the bearing, and thus, the part that could allow your bearing to move.

With some gasket kits, the front bearing retainer gasket is too thick. This gasket should be approximately.007 to .011" thick. Never double up this gasket as that would move the front bearing retainer to be situated too far forward, and create space that the bearing and snap ring could move into.

So, I guess one could rig up a dial indicator and attempt to measure the for/aft movement of the main drive gear. We simply grab the shaft by hand and push/pull on it. You can feel if you're getting any movement, plus you can see it if you watch the inside part. We aim for virtually no movement..... no endplay.

Note, there will be a small amount of up any down movement on the drive gear when you grasp it for this test. This is normal since the front or pilot end is not yet planted in the flywheel pilot bearing.

[Mac VP]

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Forgot to answer your question about using sealed ball bearings. You could use one up front.....it would be an extra expense if you had a 1937-48 front bearing retainer since those already have oil seals in them. Try to stay with a good quality bearing here.

As for the rear ball bearing, I don't recommend using a sealed bearing here. We believe that Ford intended for some gear oil to migrate through this bearing into the u-joint cavity to help mix with the grease around the U-J. The rear oil baffle controls that pretty well.

[Mercmarc]

Many thanks Mac, that is the exact information I was looking for. Thanks again

[Lawrie]

I machine the housings where the bearing and snap rings sit to the exact dimensions of the bearing and snap ring,this was the cure for a noise in my 33 trans that took ages to find.
When you add up the play in both the front and rear bearings in their housings it will surprise you.
lawrie