Transmission for '46 flathead?

J

joebags

Junior Member
Recently picked up a 1946 flathead, and plan to put in a '30 roadster I am building. I would like to keep it a ford transmission instead of going for a s10 transmission. Also Im not in to an automatic transmission.

So my question is what would you recommend for a transmission?
 
You can use the Ford T5 (Fox Mustang type). To me the Ford T5 has better gearing, but the location of the shifter is aft of the Chevy S10 style. There are several ways to deal with it, switch tail cones and the shifting rods to the S10 ones, use a remove shifter, or deal with it where it is (if you are not using a bench seat). The Ford T5 requires a different adapter than the S10 and again there are several ways to go. Contact Cornhuskers they can tell you what you need and where to get it. They were also telling me about a source of Ford T5s that were something like new car takeouts.

There are also more traditional transmissions you could go with. The original 3-speeds or some later model 4-speeds and some with overdrives.

You might find this interesting: http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192048&highlight=transmission
 
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4 speed with over drive would be great. Would they be ok with a 59a? How would I search for them specifically, any year or details to help?
 
I'm a T5 guy and really do not know much about the other transmissions. I think the one they were referring to in the like I posted is F150 T170 RTS.
 
The Ford F150 that used the T170 RTS 3-speed with overdrive giving it a fourth gear and all synchronized would be a good choice. It has been successfully converted to torque tube closed drive and has a top shift like the old Ford 3-speed.

Traditionally, the old Ford 3-speed top loader was the choice from 1939 for cars & pickups and up to 1950 for pickups alone. Mac VanPelt has a very good little book for the overhaul of these old cog boxes if a person chooses to go that route. They require modifications to the torque tubes depending on what year of rear axle you choose. Mike Bishop & Vern Tardel's book "How to Build A Traditional Ford Hot Rod" contains a lot of good info for some of the mods required.
 
If you choose a Mustang T5, stay away from the ones behind the 4 cylinder models. The input shaft is longer and they have about a 3.97 to 1 first gear. Unless you have about a 2.7 rear end, you will have to shift into second after only traveling a few feet. Probably worth doing some gear ratio and tire size calculations My roadster cruises at 60 mph at about 2225 rpm. Seems to work ok for a 2300 lb car.
 
This is the Ford 4-speed OD conversion.

Bob
 

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JSeery said:
I'm a T5 guy and really do not know much about the other transmissions. I think the one they were referring to in the like I posted is F150 T170 RTS.
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JSeery.......Have ya ever seen a T5 like this one? I'm a "T5 guy" too. It's amazing the number of iterations of a T5 that one can concoct using ONLY factory Borq-Warner T5 parts....... if you know T5s, and realize how diverse the design really is. We've assembled this one to bolt-up to a Ford torque tube. Plus, it's got the desirable 2.95 Camaro gear set. DD

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V8COOPMAN said:
JSeery.......Have ya ever seen a T5 like this one? I'm a "T5 guy" too. DD
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No, I have not. Have seen the Jeep style of modification, is it similar? I run an open driveshaft with a 38 rear end. The 38 axle is modified with a QC center and 9 inch axles.

I like the T5z gears, but think they are very similar or identical to the late Camaro gear ratios.
 

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JSeery said:
No, I have not. Have seen the Jeep style of modification, is it similar?
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This IS the Jeep mod........Jeep mainshaft which directly accepts the Camaro gear set, along with the Jeep extension housing......ready to have a torque tube bolted-up. DD

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JS........I really like the peace of mind of "real" 9-inch axles and bearings in these banjo rears. DD

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V8COOPMAN said:
JS........I really like the peace of mind of "real" 9-inch axles and bearings in these banjo rears. DD
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Installing the 9 inch axles (at least the way I did it) is a LOT of work, but I really like the result and learned a lot in the process.
 
Just a side note: All the talk about Speedway using off-shore sources (and they do!), a lot of their parts are made in the U.S. In the photo of the QC rear axle if you look at the low left of it you will see a pile of tube front axles on a crate getting ready to be welded up and shipped to Speedway. The tubing is cut, bent, fitted and welded up right here in the U.S, Wichita KS to be specific.
 
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JSeery said:
Just a side note: you will see a pile of tube front axles on a crate getting ready to be welded up and shipped to Speedway. The tubing is cut, bent, fitted and welded up right here in the U.S, Wichita KS to be specific.
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Would those be known as Wichi-dago axles? DD
 
Have no idea, never heard the term! Dago is Santiago as far as I know, LOL :D And stock dropped axles!!! I'm really not sure if these were Hot Rod / Street Rod axles or Racing Axles, the former I think. I'm not a fan of tube axles! Guess I need to look in Speedways catalog sometime and see what they are listed for. I was just using the equipment at the shop that manufactures them, Jellies if you know who that is (old time Hot Rodder and Dirt Track racer and builder).
 
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