52 stick

C

Clavo

Junior Member
Hi. New to forum, new to Fords. First Ford is a 1952 F1.
Will the floor shift linkage from a 1950 F1 Flathead readily bolt on to my 52 F1 Flathead with a column shift set up or will there have to be a complete transmission swap or is there a column to floor shift kit already available?
Also, any overdrive suggestions, advice, options.. I'd like to cruze from Austin to the PigStand in San Antonio and an overdrive set up would really make the drive a much more pleasant journey.
 
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It's a whole transmission swap. The floor change has the stick coming directly out of the top, no external linkage.
For overdrive options, look up T5 swaps, the necessary parts are available fairly easy. And F150 4 speed overdrive swaps, again parts available but the trans is a bit more difficult to find.
Search on here, lots of info.
Martin.
 
Thanks, Scooder..
So get the whole transmission. That is possible. Is there a different bolt mounting pattern on the 50 an 52 flatheads? Also, is the 52 transmission an improvement in design and performance? I'd hate to do a swap only to find out I was better off leaving everything as it were, stock.
And do you know of an aftermarket shift kit conversion from column to floor?
You are the only one who took the time to respond, answering the most basic of questions. And for that I straight up thank you
 
Generally the transmissions are referred to as either top shift or side shift when looking for parts or assemblies. The 8BA blocks and adapter half bell housings remained the same from 1948 thru 52 on the F1 pickups as long as we are talking 3-speed light duty transmissions. The 4-speed stump puller top shift has a different adapter half bell so it won't interchange with the light duty 3-speeds.

There have been 3-speed gate type shifters since there have been transmissions to put them on but they are harder to find for the early 3-speed side shift transmissions due to placement of parts and places to bolt them on to. I've seen them on flea-pay before but not often. The side shift pickup transmissions are kind of rare. Most were sold with top shift types. You could easily find a buyer for your steering column, shift mechanism, and linkages for folks that want to convert. Some one may even trade you a gear box and a standard column for that stuff.

The only thing that might make the 52 side shift set up unique would be if it was an overdrive transmission which is not likely. FoMoCo started putting them in F100 pickups in 1953.
 
Any trans swap involves cutting the main structural crossmember out to clear. It's a major deal. If you "tune up" your column shift, I'd bet you'll come to like it! The floor shifters are much sloppier.
 
You can also use a 49-E51 Mercury overdrive transmission with your column shift.
It has the same bolt pattern ans your present transmission.

Bob
 
Bob C said:
You can also use a 49-E51 Mercury overdrive transmission with your column shift.
It has the same bolt pattern ans your present transmission.

Bob
Click to expand...

Unless the crossmember is completely removed, it won't clear the pedal assembly. The solenoid falls right smack on the crossmember and sticks over into the brake MC support bracket.
 
I guess there is the answer. /solution.. fix the sloppy in my column stick (Das what she said last nite..)


Thank you, fellow F-1ers for the help. I'm sure I'll eventually run into a couple of F-1ers residing in the Kyle-Buda area.
 
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go with the t-5 swap out of a chevy, the shift lever is more forward and misses the seat, the t-5 swap gets rid of all the electrical wiring which includes solenoid and governor and kick down switch in the cab. to get all the info on how its done and what parts you will need go over to the HAMB and ask the street rodders on there. P/S t-5 trans are plentiful in wrecking yards out of chevy S10's
 
Clavo,
In my opinion your best, as you state, bet is to fix the sloppy shift parts on your truck. In good fetal a column shift is bliss.
As Ross said most trans swaps need crossmember cutting/shifting, is that something you want to get involved in?
I think a stock geared F1 or F100 (around 3.92 rear gear) is perfectly happy whizzing along at 65-70 mph. It'll sound busy compared to New stuff, but it'll be fine.
If you want more relaxed cruising, swap the rear gear or axle. The later F100 9" axle is an easy swap. Ross knows the details for this. Go for a 3.5 ish, it'll still be good at being a pickup and being used as such, just more relaxed on the freeway.
Martin.
 
Thanks Hombres!
The thought of changing from column to floor shift just for change sake has been redirected to an unsloppification of the column stick.

As fer towing n other daily hard "truck work" I use an 84 Chevy Stepside, original factory condition basic truck.

My 52 F1 is 98 % stock. It's purpose is cruising, nothing more. It does get driven on a weekly basis. In it's current state, a strained 55 MPH seems to be it's top speed. So an overdrive or rear gear change should be the ticket, along with turn signals and wider kinda wheels/tires.

One thing is for sure, belonging to an active forum such as the "Ford Barn" is a good way of talking old trucks n stuff in a friendly manner . Plus, it sure helps to ask before modifying stuff..And I don't mind asking questions.
 
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