1939 transmission in a Model A Ford

O

old skool

Member
Hello,

As I learn more, I want to do more. A friend of my Father had a four Banger (original engine) Model A Sedan back in the 50s and 60s. Dad said that thing was fast! He would "pop wheelies" with it and scare the heck out his friends and my father (he always laughs when he tells me).

He told me he put a Ford 1939 transmission in it. I would like to ask him more about his car, but he died a couple of years back. My last conversation we had, he told me a 39 transmission bolts right up to a model A engine. Is it really that easy? Is there more to it (I am sure there is)? Any do's or don't? Anybody have some pictures they would like to share? I am going to start on a new build and I am doing my research now before I start.

Thanks for your time,
Marty
 
Contact Dennis Cling at clingsaftermarket.com, (480) 777-1202 and ask about his kit. It doesn't just "bolt right up". There are pictures in Cling's catalog. It takes an adapter to mate the engine to the transmission plus brackets for the brake, clutch and wishbone. Probably the biggest "to do" thing is to learn how to identify a '39 transmission with the later syncros (which is what you want) (see http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm and a lot of posts in the archives).

Charlie Stephens
 
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You need an adapter for the bellhousing and the clings kit comes with all that including the adapter for the pedals, parking brake lever, and wishbone. You can run a 32-39 if you want to keep a closed driveline. You can see the bellhousing adapter and e brake lever bracket in the first pic and can sort of see how the pedal adapter goes in the second one. Its a nice setup, good quality and everything bolts up nicely. Excuse the messy floor...its hard to stop and clean up when youre making progress :)
 

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Is there any torque tube shortening required or does the coupling hook right up? Does all the stock V8 clutch stuff work, and do you need to machine the flywheel? Thanks.
 
Should all bolt right up, provided you have the a transmission with closed drive mount . works with stock model A clutch parts or v8. The flywheel will need work if you intend to use a v8 pressure plate.
 
I bought the Clings adapter kit.Love it I hate double clutching all over town when there is stop lites every block. Your knees only last so long.
 
There more than one way to skin this cat. I just picked up a 32 B transmission case that I plan on putting 39 gears in. The gears fit right in the B case and the B case is a bolt on to the A motor, no $$$$ adapter needed
 
TradModelA said:
Jason are the 2nd to 3rd gear ratio an improvement ? Or still a gap? Thanks

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

This is true IF you select the correct gear set ... there are four different ratios. (V8-60 parts do not fit)

1. close to Model A gear set with a higher 2nd gear(1.77). First is same as A.

2. One with higher 1st (2.84 or so) and a higher 2nd gear (1.60). This is the one you want.)

3. (Lincoln Zephyr "lower") gears (too high for Model A).

4. LZ "higher" set Too high even for a hopped up 296 Cu Inch Flathead V8 with 3.78 rear end.

Additional info-02-04-16
For reference Model A ratios are:

First 3.12
second 1.85
Third 1.00
 
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dalton said:
I hear ya! I'd be really interested in learning how that's done.
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I hear its just a matter of putting the later gears in the early box. Of course we all know how these easy tasks go:rolleyes:

Jim I have your book it's currently loaned to a buddy though. When you say bell housing do you mean the flywheel housing? The bell is attached on the B like the V/8's not separate like an A
 
Ansen Automotive also makes or did make an adapter which includes the pedal mod. & wishbone mount. I have one in a modified 29 rdstr. & a new one hanging in my shop to install in another project. Look for a 32 shifter it'll fit a Model A better then the curved later V-8 shifters.
 
asapguy said:
Ansen Automotive also makes or did make an adapter which includes the pedal mod. & wishbone mount. I have one in a modified 29 rdstr. & a new one hanging in my shop to install in another project. Look for a 32 shifter it'll fit a Model A better then the curved later V-8 shifters.
Click to expand...
If you run the '39 gears you will need the later shifter. I cut off a later shifter to shorten it, rethreaded it for the gear shift knob and reshaped it for my '32. It is a little larger in diameter but nothing you would notice.

Charlie Stephens
 
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