1949 F1 ******

[rol1949]

I have a 1949 F1 with a 4 speed on the floor. I would like to put in a synchro shift transmission to replace the old double clutch type and a grinding gear type of old ******.

Does anyone know where to buy one and approximate cost?

Thanks,

Rod

 

[D. Jones]

Ebay and Craigs List are two places you can check in your area. There are plenty of old Ford three speed, top loader transmissions around but most will need a rebuild. Many choose to go to later types such as a T-5. Do a search here, there is plenty of information.

Also, if you post where you are someone that lives in your area may be able to help you find what you need.

 

[Jay in Mass]

Some of those early Ford flathead 4 speed truck transmissions have the so called hogshead that is easily adapted to a later transmission. I just made a simple 1/2 inch aluminum flat plate and bolted it to the hogshead and to the later full synchromesh ****** with overdrive. The shifter hole on the floor hump even lined up in the same place. I had to change the clutch disk to match the donor ******.
If you can post a picture of what you have it would be easier to give you some suggestions.

 

[rotorwrench]

Most F1 pickups came with 3-speed but the 4-speed was optional. The later type synchronized 4-speeds are out there but they are bigger and heavier so some mods would be required. The light duty 3-speed was common but only 2nd & 3rd are synchronized. Less common are the heavy duty 3-speed but there are likely still a few of those out there too. They are harder to find and they are larger than the light duty.

 

[4t8v8]

I have a rebuilt 3 speed out of my '48 F1 that I'm not going to use. As it is used as a truck I wanted the low 1st gear but not the "crash box" so I installed a T5. Only trouble is shipping would be expensive depending where you are located.

 

[Ross F-1]

Unless you find a trans out of an F-1, either the "light duty" 3-sp or the HD 3-sp, major surgery is required to the crossmember. The versions of the HD 3-sp that were in F-2's and F-3's has a different rear mount to match the different crossmembers used in those (see below). Likewise, the "SynchroSilent" 4-sp used in the bigger trucks (F-4+) will not fit the F-1 crossmember. No modern 4-sp's will fit either. Once you decide to cut the crossmember, all kinds of possibilities open up. If you cut it, you need to restore the lost structural integrity.

The 48-50 LD 3-sp's and 48-52 HD 3-sp's were floor shift, 51-52 LD 3-sp's were column shift. HD 3-sp's are pretty rare nowadays, as noted above.