Synchronize Transmission

W

wv raven

New member
Hello,

I own a 31 Ford AA.

What Ford era synchronize transmission that could mate to the Ford Model A Engine?

My truck is far from perfect, so making some adjustments won't matter to me.

Thank you for your time and looking forward of hearing you all's answers.
 
It has been known to put a Ford RTS transmission is a AA. I have one in my '31 PU.
 
CarlG said:
It has been known to put a Ford RTS transmission is a AA. I have one in my '31 PU.
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Carl, is this the transmission you are referring to ?

T170FT (Code-RTS)
Top loaded 4 speed with 4th being overdrive. Aluminum case and shift tower. Found in Ford F100-250 light duty trucks from 1984-85, also known as a TOD (top shift overdrive) Produced in 2 and 4 wheel drive versions.
 
wv raven said:
Hello,

I own a 31 Ford AA.

What Ford era synchronize transmission that could mate to the Ford Model A Engine?

My truck is far from perfect, so making some adjustments won't matter to me.

Thank you for your time and looking forward of hearing you all's answers.
Click to expand...

Well, IMO, it is best/easiest to install a '39 trans with available adaptors . The '39 had the best synchros available then and are good choice. There are other choices, more exotic/work/alterations.
You say 'won't matter to me'. I think that as soon as you drive an A with a synchro '39 trans...it will matter and you will not look back :)
 
Bob C said:
I'm sure since it's an AA he would welcome the overdrive.

Bob
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Exactly!

The AA I saw a picture of was in a fire truck down in California somewhere. No need for "granny" gear 99.99% of the time anyway. The synchros are nice, and the OD lets you drive with traffic a little more comfortably.
 
CarlG said:
Will a '39 car transmission work in an AA environment?
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I see no reason why not, the hardest part would be finding a good machine shop that would be willing to make the connecting shaft between the trans and the torque tube, nobody in my area seems interested in doing custom machine work.
Carl is that RTS transmission from the ford Bronco? my understanding is that the 1st and 2nd gears are much higher geared than the pickup transmission.

One benefit of installing a syncro trans in a Double A is you do not need a 4 speed clutch housing as there is more room to work with, just the inconvenience of a good machinist'
 
My RTS came from a mid '80s F150. And it uses the AA bell housing. Here is what I have as far as ratios go:

---RTS --Stock
1 3.25 - 3.12
2 1.92 - 1.85
3 1.00 - 1.00
4 0.78
R 3.25 - 3.12
 
I think if you are going to use your truck as a truck you will want the granny gear and a heavy duty transmission. I would look for a more modern multi ton Ford truck transmission with synchro, if they exist. Otherwise just stick with the original transmission. Getting the modern transmission might be the easy part, but adapting it will be difficult and expensive.
 
John.Hosken@usa.net said:
WTB Ford-Temec 3+1 transmission installation kit (w/ or w/o the transmission itself) for a Model A using an AA bellhousing as described here: https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/TremecT170FT.htm
"modelaonly.net" seems to be gone
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There are 2 or 3 sources out there if you keep searching the forums. Dave Delmue in California was one, a shop in Texas was another (don't remember the name) and I think a third somewhere. The names are in forum threads here and on the HAMB.

The problem is, those transmissions are getting rare. There were 3 or 4 different gear ratio combinations and the ratio set that works in a Model A are very rare now. Beware that you do not get the wrong ratio as it will not work well with your 4 cylinder engine. The fordgarage article lists the codes and ratios.
 
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