T170 model A conversion

H

Hipopinto

Member
Hey all

I have been working on my transmission that I plan to install in my 1931 coupe

First off thank you all for the valuable information that many of you shared with me! It has helped me locate the correct people to assist

I have reached out to Gene Sanders ant MEC he is a really nice guy and a pleasure to speak with best of all he is fairly “local” to my location!

My question is as follows:

Genes conversion includes a new casting for the back plate and he can shorten the main shaft to fit his plate.

When Gene sent me the pictures of his transmission it looks a little “different” that what I had been seeing for a model A

Gene said it was for a 1932. I asked him if they interchange and he was not sure.

My question to everyone is what is the difference between a 1932 and a model A? Will these interchange?

I’m using a AA Bellhousing to shorten the package as much as possible

My goal is to not cut the chassis in any way I’m planning to keep the original transmission drive shaft and torque tube so the car can be put back to original at any time.

I know this may be a vague question but I just want to make sure that my choice is correct in the direction I choose!

Thanks in advance everyone this is turning out to be a fun project!

Dave
 
I installed a T170 in my Cabriolet using the AA bell housing. I did cut a little off the flange on the center cross member. you do have to shorten the drive shaft. if I remember right around 2 1/2"
 
you may have your heart set on the T170 that's one thing.
The T5 installed in the same manner will give you much better gear ratios. the T170 has the same huge gap from 2nd to 3rd as the model A does.
 
Butch, most installs of the T5 require a lot of modifications to the frame, brake cross shaft and extra support for the rear axle because of the open driveshaft. Too invasive for my blood.
 
The open driveshaft is sad deal.

there is a design that installs theT5 the same was a T170 goes in with the AA bell housing. a shop in California has the adapters

It connects to the torque tube. this and the Mitchell are best options.
 
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The T170 is the way I’m going to try

I have all of the parts (except the 19 tooth OD Gear) to build that ratio

I am currently making that 19 tooth gear from a jeep input shaft

Just trying to avoid cutting the frame in the event I decide to put it back to stock (which will likely never happen)

My main question is what is the difference between the model A and the 1932 transmission? Is the mounting area where the torque tube connects the same as a 32? Are the spline shafts on the stock transmissions the same diameters?

I currently have one model A transmission and it’s in the car. The car is completely drivable as it sits. My plans are to build all of the parts for conversion then get the car to my home shop and spend the time to convert it. If I bring it home now and tear apart it will be here for some time and I’m just trying to avoid a disassembled vehicle for several weeks if not months.

Thanks once again for the replies I really appreciate all of your input

Dave
 
Sorry I have all of the parts less a factory gear of 19 teeth to build the Goldilocks ratio

Goldilocks" configuration, having ratios of:
1st = 3.0061
2nd = 1.7767
3rd = 1.0000
4th = 0.7874

Thanks again
Dave
 
butch chase said:
you may have your heart set on the T170 that's one thing.
The T5 installed in the same manner will give you much better gear ratios. the T170 has the same huge gap from 2nd to 3rd as the model A does.
Click to expand...

The common RTS B and D ratio gear sets have the same first and second gear issues and second gear gaps as a stock Model A, however the more unusual C ratio, and the even more elusive Goldilocks gear sets have first and second gear ratios and gaps which are better than the 15% Mitchell synchronized transmission.
 
Hipopinto said:
My main question is what is the difference between the model A and the 1932 transmission? Is the mounting area where the torque tube connects the same as a 32?

Thanks once again for the replies I really appreciate all of your input

Dave
Click to expand...

Completely different rear bearing retainers and U joint housings.
If you use any 32 parts, you have to use them all. No mix and match with Model A parts.
 
GYYSF

THANK YOU

I will make the conversion as originally planned

Thank you all for helping

I can’t wait to post the progress

Dave
 
The 1932 transmissions were the basis for the 3-speed units clear up to 1952 on F1 pickups. It has to have the B engine clutch housing to work on a model A. The u-joint is interchangeable but the rest of the torque tube to transmission is only similar in design. A later Ford ball cap and bell retainer will likely mate to a model A torque tube. There used to be several shops doing the mods on the TOD to make it fit and a few of the guys are still around.

The only things bad about the T170 TOD, even with good gears, is that there in no hard parts support from Tremec in Mexico or anywhere else other than the salvage market or rare NOS Ford parts. They also have no drain plug. Whatever goes in has to be pumped back out to change oil. They just weren't used long enough in production to make them a real popular unit like a T5. The Ford spec lubricant for them is equivalent to 75W-90 GL4 such as the Stay-Lube 85W-90 GL4. Ford Dealers may still carry the ESP-M2C83-C gear lube. That's the original specification but knowing Ford, I wouldn't be surprised if it was superseded.
 
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Need help locating a cluster gear , Main input shaft 22 T and OD gear 18T. Any help would be greatly appreciated
 
Try Garage Motorsports in Vancouver, Washington. They have a huge selection of used transmissions parts. You can call them at 360-735-0753 or email Scott at scott@garagemotorsports.com. Be sure to have the part number of the cluster gear you need. You can get that number from the Ford Garage website listed in post #6.

Just looked up your gear ratios........you are building a 37% OD transmission. The cluster gear PN is E0TZ7113B. This OD ratio, IMHO, is too high for a Model A.
 
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Hello all!

It’s been a while since posting and working on my model A but thinking about a path forward I reviewed more here and also look at the ford garage about the T-170 conversion info. It looks as if the ford garage is “gone” does anyone know anything about that? That page as well was a pretty nice wealth of info

Thanks in advance guys!

Dave
 
Hipopinto said:
Hello all!

It’s been a while since posting and working on my model A but thinking about a path forward I reviewed more here and also look at the ford garage about the T-170 conversion info. It looks as if the ford garage is “gone” does anyone know anything about that? That page as well was a pretty nice wealth of info

Thanks in advance guys!

Dave
Click to expand...

There was just another thread on this.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355481
 
Ford Garage listings have to be approached through "Internet Archive." Most everything is there but if you go directly from any links showing on Ford Garage, you get "404 Not Available" and a Tom Petty Youtube reference.

BUT - you can take the Fordgarage.com link and plug it into Internet Archive. Most of Vince's pages have been "walked" by Internet Archive and appear there - you will want to choose the "newest" reference.

https://archive.org/

Not sure why Vince has effectively "non-updated" his page. Nice that a history exists because Vince HAS corralled a whole bunch of useful information on all manner of Model A and V8 information.

Joe K
 
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