V8 Transmission adaptation

[Tiny]

Hey Guys
I'm looking at putting a 39 box in my coupe. I picked up a really clean tranny for a great deal from a buddy. Is the Clings adaptor kit the only aftermarket adaptor available? I know about using a B case also but they seem to be a little difficult to come up with. The Clings adaptor looks like a great product, but its over twice what I paid for the tranmission!!

[Charlie Stephens]

Remember if you get a "B" case you sill need the wishbone and pedal mounts from somewhere. You might try Bert's for an adapter kit, (303) 293-3673.

Charlie Stephens

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Tiny

Hey Guys
I'm looking at putting a 39 box in my coupe. I picked up a really clean tranny for a great deal from a buddy. Is the Clings adaptor kit the only aftermarket adaptor available? I know about using a B case also but they seem to be a little difficult to come up with. The Clings adaptor looks like a great product, but its over twice what I paid for the tranmission!!

Have you completely lost your mind Don't worry about it cause I did to It has changed the drive ability of my car so much and I highly recommend it. Its nice to be able to slide it in the 2nd without any work and it lowers the urge to lug the car around instead of shifting when you should. But the biggest improvement is the elimination of all transmission noise. I could have went with the Mitchell tranny to keep things looking original but it would have been twice the cost. I paid $400.00 for a nicely rebuilt 39 with the new type synchronizers and $495..00 for the adapter.

Yea I know it takes away from the cars originality but as I get older I like things easier. You can get the adapter from any of the Model A suppliers and the price seems to be about the same. Make sure you use the 1939 throw out hub(you probably already knew that) I didn't and had to pull the tranny back out

Charlie is right about the other parts you will need to make this work and if you start pricing the parts separate from the kit you won't save much money. Buy the kit and do it,you will be most pleased.



dusty

[Tiny]

WW Dusty, that green paint is everywhere on your car!!
I have a friend that has the Mitchel Transmission in one car and the V8 in the other. He likes the V8 better, The helical cut gears are quieter than the straight gears in the Mitchel according to him. Is Clings the only one who makes an adaptor?

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Tiny

WW Dusty, that green paint is everywhere on your car!!
I have a friend that has the Mitchel Transmission in one car and the V8 in the other. He likes the V8 better, The helical cut gears are quieter than the straight gears in the Mitchel according to him. Is Clings the only one who makes an adaptor?

I did not know the Mitchel had straight cut gears, real glad I went with the 39 now. helical gears are not just quieter, I can't hear any tranny noise at all...pure bliss I have looked and looked and Clings is the only one that I know of, I would not try to save money by trying a work around. You will cuss enough as it is, I wrote three new chapters for the cuss book while laying on my back under the car this winter. But I do love it!!!

[Jim Brierley]

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Cling's makes quality products, buy it and enjoy.

[PC/SR]

The Cling adapter kit is a nice deal. Makes the job fairly easy. I then fabricated some brackets from the center cross member to the rear bearing retainer ears for additional stablizing support back there. The rear FAM donuts squished a bit before I did that.

[Tiny]

Looks like I'll be saving my bread for the Cling's adapter. If Jim says its quality I can't argue with that. I can't believe only one company makes this adapter. That's great news for him.

[Patrick L.]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but, are there other year transmitters that will work with the cling adapter other than just the '39 ? Is the '39 a transmission all by itself?

[Purdy Swoft]

I think 33? through 48 for cars and a little later on trucks all have the same bolt pattern at the bell housing. Thirty nine is a term often used for the top loader transmissions after 32. Thirty nine was the last year for this style top loader transmissions in Ford cars. I think 48 gears are best and fit the early transmission cases, all the way back to 32 . Ninteen fifty was the last year for a top loader three speed transmission in a Ford pickup and used the same bolt pattern at the bell housing but was open drive on the pickups all the way back to 1942

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but, are there other year transmitters that will work with the cling adapter other than just the '39 ? Is the '39 a transmission all by itself?

Prior years will work but the earlier years still have straight cut gears for low which wouldn't really be a problem but the late 39 has the improved synchronizers. My understanding that is the one you want.

dusty

[Patrick L.]

Thanks Purdy and Dusty. This is some of the info I was looking for, good info. I thought '39 had a change to the earlier syncros and have a higher gear ratio for both 1st and 2nd. I don't know about the ratios for other/earlier years. I also didn't know that gears to '48 would fit the earlier cases, good info. Thanks again. Thats basically what I'm looking for, higher gear ratios.

[Mark in MT]

Also be aware that there are at least 4 different gear ratio sets between the Ford and the Lincoln Zephyr. I prefer the one that uses the 16 tooth input gear, 1st gear is a little faster than an A, 2nd gear is half way between 1st and direct. Those from a 60 hp commercial use the full size 85 hp gears in a 60 hp case, but the gear ratios are worse than the A. (Don't ask me how I know.)

[Patrick L.]

OK, thanks again again. I guess I'm looking for a good '39 transmitter, or, a good mid-30's case and some good/new '48 gears. I'm thinking a bit higher 1st and 2nd would work well on todays roads. And here I was brought up in a Ford garage, but, I've still got a lot to learn about these early monsters.

[Purdy Swoft]

Another thought while we are talking gears. Zepher gears will also fit. Lincoln Zepher had a higher ratio with a long winding low gear but was used with a 4.44 ratio backend to compensate .

[juke joint johnny]

Do you have to modify the torque tube on the rear axle to fit the 39 trans ??

It looks longer in the picture than the A trans.

[Purdy Swoft]

The model A torque tube doesn't need any mods . With the Clings adaptor the length works out perfectly. The universal joint housing for the V8 transmission connects with four bolts instead of six like the model A.

[1931 flamingo]

Major differences between early (32-38) synchros and forks and the later (preferred) 39 synchros and forks, but the later 39 can be put into the earlier housings. All the way up to 48.
Paul in CT

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

The model A torque tube doesn't need any mods . With the Clings adaptor the length works out perfectly. The universal joint housing for the V8 transmission connects with four bolts instead of six like the model A.

Right so when shopping for a tranny make sure you get the bell universal cover and clam shell with the 39 tranny and as I stated early also make sure you get the throw out bearing hub.

As to gear ratios I have no clue other than mine seem to be a touch higher in first and second. Than again it may just be an illusion because its so much more quite

dusty

[chiliman]

seams to me after 37 had the spiral spline earler was a straight spline is that right?