Help ID a 3 speed transmission

N

NoahVail

Member
My goal here is to get a new slip yoke and rear seal.

I need help identifying a 50s/60s 3 speed, sideloader, non-synchro 1st, non OD transmission. Output shaft is 28 splines. Slip Yoke has 1.5" OD (son reinstalled drive shaft before I could measure the yoke).

The only number I have is AB-7222-B; it's on the side plate. On a Ford truck forum that number is (repeatedly) ID'd as a "Ford light duty 3 speed", widely used on cars & trucks. No model number is ever given. It's reportedly a BW design and 1962 was the last application year.

I don't know how to find parts for "Ford light duty 3 speed". Any ideas on model numbers?

Trans is in a 1961 Galaxie Sunliner behind a 292. No way to know if it's the original gearbox. Every time I order rear trans seals for this model, I get the wrong ones.

notes: I've read that all BW T-86s are toploaders but I've also found pics that are purported to be sideloaded T-86s. Those could be misidentified.

Somewhere (here?) I saw posts that mention a Ford 259 3-speed but hardly anyone had heard of it.

I asked this same Q before here but I think we got it wrong.

edit: This page has tons of transmission drawings. Maddeningly, my best candidate is labeled as "Three Speed Std Trans for 1960-62 Ford Six & V8 (221-260-292)".
 
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Ford light duty 3-speeds were made in both top shift and side shift applications for early cars and trucks clear up into the early 50s. In 1951 the new diamond type gears replaced the early heavy cut gears. After Ford started using several different 3-speeds types, the old design became the 259 series which lasted up through the 50s for certain applications in both 3-speed and R10 overdrive types but with larger engines coming on line, the heavier duty transmissions like the T85 and T85-R11 overdrive 3-speed units started being used more commonly. The light duty T86 top loader was also being used in there during the 3-speed years of the 50s & 60s.
 
Just a note -

FORD MPC lists only one 3/S OD in it's 1960-64 FINAL ISSUE, and that is the BW T85. FORD ID's it as a 2 5/16 (CL DISTANCE between INPUT and COUNTER-SHAFT).

For reference the T&C 3/S is cataloged as 3.03.

It is hard to determine how the BW MODELS (BW259 - T-86 - T-85) were used prior as the MPC did not have a standard use chart. That is what causes the confusion (IMO).
 
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