should I just drive it?

Ken Arms

Ken Arms

Well-known member
So I decided that I should change the ****** mount on my 34 before insalling rebuilt 59, in the proccess I found a geartooth at the drain plug! With the ****** on the bench and the top cover off I can see its broken off the second gear in on counter shaft (counting from the front). As I recall the ****** always worked well and I dont feel any binds even when the missing tooth goes by. Since im retired and pennyless should I just drive it? I have no clue what gear that is and the parts book just calls it part of a cluster. Thanks for any advice. Ken
 
Ken, Since you already have the trans sitting on your workbench, I say,"Fix it." as it will not get better over time. I bet there is someone on here who could diagnose and repair it for you for a fair price. As for being "retired and pennyless" that probably won't get better over time either so do it now when the financial pain is still less than it will be in the future. The repair cost will never go down.
 
If you keep an eye on the flee-pay you might find a coutershaft gear from a used box or maybe even a decent shelf rusted NOS part. The older boxes are less desirable so the prices aren't too bad. If you need a part number just post the approximate year model of the gearbox in question and someone will get you a P/N. All the old Ford counter shafts (cluster gear) were 7113 basic part numbers. Check on Mac VanPelt's web-site for parts drawings and some of the numbers are in his lists.

The load on adjacent teeth gets higher when a tooth is busted and when the next one goes, you might end up haveing to find a whole gear box for parts.

Kerby
 
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usually it is first gear and reverse that seem to loose teeth, that being said I think it is first gear that lacks a tooth, mostly caused from putting in gear while moving--I ought to know, done it myself. all the other gears are constantly in mesh so loosing one of those teeth usually results in lots of teeth in the drain plug--also done that, all I need now is the t-shirt!!
 
Change it now, you could possibly ruin a whole lot more by waiting til it stops... I had the same decision to make just a while back... And you don't know when the whole thing will give up... Karl
 
All the advise up to now says "fix it". I'll just add this: Pulling it back out later will be a hell of a lot more work than fixing it now. Most of the work in repairing a Ford transmission is in removal and reinstallation.
 
If it looses another tooth and it gets between the case and cluster it has a good chance of pushing the bottom of the case out. John
 
Count the number of teeth on the big end . Are the gears helical or straight or some of both. I may have a good used one cheap. A picture would be good to see.
 
if the matching gear is in constant mesh, ie shift low to rev, and the gear does not move it is 2nd gear. been a long time since i worked on one. complete early boxes should be pretty reasonable. lol scotty
 
Here's the original Ford repair manual for $10.00 that I used to rebuild my transmission : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1932-1947-Ford-Transmission-Clutch-Repair-Manual-Book-/170570229782?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1934%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item27b6c72816

It is step by step and got me through my very first transmission overhaul with a breeze.

Sounds like you'll at least need the cluster gear. Here's a new one from Mac's for $289.00: http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-t...h-90-hp-48-7113/camid/F30/cp/JS0R3CHL1076534/

Or from VanPelt's for $195.00: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/trans-partsprices-pg2.htm

You pay a lot for new, but, if you watch ebay you can probably get a used one for a lot less. There isn't one for sale there right now but you can put a standing search on there for one and get notified as soon as someone lists one. That's what I do to get those real expensive parts used.
 
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Ken/Alabama said:
Count the number of teeth on the big end . Are the gears helical or straight or some of both. I may have a good used one cheap. A picture would be good to see.
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Ditto, I have some, and May have one I can get rid of especially if it's a redundant part. Also can check end play, thrust washers, & stuff.
 
If the gears are original 34 style, he can find those a bunch cheaper than the 36 and later (all helical) types. We usually have both new and good used cluster gears in stock. I believe our used 32-35 cluster gears sell for $195.00 (new-old-stock for $295.00). He should check everything else in there while he has it open. Replace bearings, thrust washers, etc.
 
Count the Cluster gear when you pull it out. I may have what you need. I'll donate it to your cause if I do. Freshly retired and broke, I say free and unemcubered! Don't leave it in there like it is. It'll just cause more grief down the road. I know this from experience. Pretty soon it'll shave all the teeth off one side. then you are stuck and have to pull it apart all over again.


Tim
 
Thanks everyone for your responses, guess I better fix it! just ordered that book off ebay to help with rebuild. once its apart I will take a pic and hope for a good used set. The box looks simple enough as long as I dont need a ford tool. wish there was a way to change ratio wile in there! would be nice to have a 2010 hwy gear! I do plan to look at overdrives at some point that wont hurt the car's original set up. I love this Ford Barn! Thanks again Ken
 
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