Flathead transmission ID ?

M

mister32

Member
not familiar with all the differences and ID'ing these transmissions...

anyone?
 

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Hard to tell from that photo but if the shifter tower is sloped it would be '33-'34 and would have 40-7222 stamped in front of it. If tower is vertical then prefix 68- is from '35-'37 and 81A-7222 is '38 forward.
There is a number stamped in the rear face of the case below the reverse idler shaft opening. 18-7006 is '32-'33, 48-7006 is '34-'36 and 78-7006 is '37 on up to 1950 in pu trucks. Innards are anyone's guess.
 
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Tell us what the number is that is stamped on that rectangular pad just above that tin cover plate. Probably starts with a "STAR", then an 18-xxxxxxx or 52-xxxxxxx. DD
 
The previous two answers are as good as it gets, but I would question CTAV8's source on why the 78-7006 wasn't also used in 1937?
 
MOST of those common Ford suffix numbers (like 48-, 78-, 99-, 01-, etc.) mean something very specific. It would behoove most of us to learn the basic #s by heart as they relate to 1932 through '48. This knowledge comes in real handy quite frequently. DD
 
That is the easy-to-recognize double-detent shifter housing ... '38 and '39 cars while continuing later in trucks.

Excellent clue for the desired "39" gears BUT used earlier with 1938 gears and smaller 2nd/3rd shift fork.

You can take off the shift top and take the same picture with the gears exposed. That will confirm which style gear set is in there.

Do not rely solely on numbers. Look inside.
 
Ok...more info. I found the "7222" on the shift tower.

And also "18-5xxxxx"...which I believe is 1934.

I can't see the number on the lower back with it in the car.

Engine is supposed to be 39.
It has the integral bellhousing, but Does not have any number cast in that I can see?
 
Hoop said:
That is the easy-to-recognize double-detent shifter housing ... '38 and '39 cars while continuing later in trucks.

Excellent clue for the desired "39" gears BUT used earlier with 1938 gears and smaller 2nd/3rd shift fork.

You can take off the shift top and take the same picture with the gears exposed. That will confirm which style gear set is in there.

Do not rely solely on numbers. Look inside.
Click to expand...

Here's a picture with the top removed.
 

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Excellent! Now go buy a lottery ticket. You have "39" gears. Note the separate brass synchros and the longer "nose" on the synchro hub that the shift fork fits into.
 
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Looks like a '39 syncro for a large second & high shift fork.
Measure the shift fork, if it is right at 3", then it's a '39 or later gear set.
 
mister32 said:
Ok...more info. I found the "7222" on the shift tower.

And also "18-5xxxxx"...which I believe is 1934.

I can't see the number on the lower back with it in the car.
Click to expand...


Mr 32..... Now I'm confused.
You stated that you think that it is a 34. If it's a 34 with a double detent top cover, someone may have put later gears in it.
I think that you can solve the mystery if you remove the top cover and take pictures of the gears and post it like Hoop suggested. That would certainly help us in assisting you with an ID.

OOPS I'm slow with my typing. The mystery is solved.
 
42merc said:
Looks like a '39 syncro for a large second & high shift fork.
Measure the shift fork, if it is right at 3", then it's a '39 or later gear set.
Click to expand...

Better than measuring, look for the part number 91A-7230 on the large shift fork. If it isn't there, it may be an earlier fork that was modified for the '39 synchro, and which won't work properly in any case.

Your case serial number.... you stated that it was 18-5xxxxx, which yes, would be 1934. If it is in fact 18-5xxxxxx, it is 1939.
 
mister 32,
just to really muddy up the water, the * "18" prefix number you are referring to on the bell housing followed by the serial number is the prefix for ALL V8 cars from '32 to'42. This is not to be confused with number stamped on rear lower of case which you cannot see.
 
Good point, Alan, about the modified fork. Simply grinding it to a full 3" doesn't solve the problem. The travel of the shift is in a different spot, and the fork will not fully engage the gear.

Hopefully the shifter came with the gears ... which may have been installed in the '34 case ... thereby preserving the original vehicle ID number on the case.

(Now, if "mister32" lives near Jacksonville, he's one lucky guy.)
 
CT AV8 said:
Hard to tell from that photo but if the shifter tower is sloped it would be '33-'34 and would have 40-7222 stamped in front of it. If tower is vertical then prefix 68- is from '35-'37 and 81A-7222 is '38 forward.
There is a number stamped in the rear face of the case below the reverse idler shaft opening. 18-7006 is '32-'33, 48-7006 is '34-'36 and 78-7006 is '37 on up to 1950 in pu trucks. Innards are anyone's guess.
Click to expand...

CT AV8, just a slight correction on your posted info. '35's also had the tower that slanted back. '36 was the first of the straight up towers.
 
I actually drove it in front of the shop...And was totally surprised and couldn't believe how smooth it was....not like any other 34 I have driven.

I will have to take the top back off and check for numbers.

I did take this picture when I had it off.
 

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