Truck Flathead

If you want a floor shift, the best way to go is to look for a 39 style transmission, with a double-detent top, the necessary shifter, etc.. You might contact Mac VanPelt and see if he has the parts - so you can use the "guts" out of your side-shifter. I'd go ahead and rebuild the resulting transmission with good quality parts, etc..
 
In an ideal world "B&S" is right. However, I built my last '39 box more than 25 years ago, and parts were hard to find and expensive then. Perhaps things have gotten better since then; I hope so. Probably the cheapest way to go would be to get one of the cheap generic floor shift conversions and modify it for your use. Then keep your eyes open for the parts you need. Double-detent tops and even the large (2 1/4"?) forks are getting hard to find. I sold a spare fork I had for $100 to a guy in New Zealand 10-12 years ago.

Again, hitting the old car swap meets works, and it's a lot of fun. It all depends on who you are. "B&S" is a pro with a ton of experience and lots of resoures and contacts, while I'm just an "Old Fart" that likes to play with old cars. I think that's why we approach this hobby in different ways.
 
tubman said:
In an ideal world "B&S" is right. However, I built my last '39 box more than 25 years ago, and parts were hard to find and expensive then. Perhaps things have gotten better since then; I hope so. Probably the cheapest way to go would be to get one of the cheap generic floor shift conversions and modify it for your use. Then keep your eyes open for the parts you need. Double-detent tops and even the large (2 1/4"?) forks are getting hard to find. I sold a spare fork I had for $100 to a guy in New Zealand 10-12 years ago.

Again, hitting the old car swap meets works, and it's a lot of fun. It all depends on who you are. "B&S" is a pro with a ton of experience and lots of resoures and contacts, while I'm just an "Old Fart" that likes to play with old cars. I think that's why we approach this hobby in different ways.
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Agreed and also want to share my experience within the past few years. Keep your eyes peeled. Whenever I see them, I buy any 91A forked (3") double detent tops. Average price has been around $150. I'm patient and jump on them when they come up.

I've amassed about ten and that's good for me for now. The reason I've been collecting them is I was also fortunate to pick up 12 empty #78 cases at an auction. It was online, but close to me and nobody bid on them. I got the lot of them for $10. Seven of them are are full rib cases.

I mention this not to brag, but to reinforce that deals are out there if you are patient, keep your eyes peeled and look around.

If the gears are good in the OP's side shift, hit swap meets, watch Instagram and I'm certain a case and top will pop up for a decent price. Stuff is starting to come out of the woodwork recently.
 
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Thanks B&S. But could elaborate why those would be the better option ? You mean performance wise ? Ghey work much better ?

Bored&Stroked said:
If you want a floor shift, the best way to go is to look for a 39 style transmission, with a double-detent top, the necessary shifter, etc.. You might contact Mac VanPelt and see if he has the parts - so you can use the "guts" out of your side-shifter. I'd go ahead and rebuild the resulting transmission with good quality parts, etc..
Click to expand...
 
Im too far away for swap meets. At least for those worth the effort there in the US :rolleyes:


tubman said:
In an ideal world "B&S" is right. However, I built my last '39 box more than 25 years ago, and parts were hard to find and expensive then. Perhaps things have gotten better since then; I hope so. Probably the cheapest way to go would be to get one of the cheap generic floor shift conversions and modify it for your use. Then keep your eyes open for the parts you need. Double-detent tops and even the large (2 1/4"?) forks are getting hard to find. I sold a spare fork I had for $100 to a guy in New Zealand 10-12 years ago.

Again, hitting the old car swap meets works, and it's a lot of fun. It all depends on who you are. "B&S" is a pro with a ton of experience and lots of resoures and contacts, while I'm just an "Old Fart" that likes to play with old cars. I think that's why we approach this hobby in different ways.
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tubman said:
Hoarder? I thought one of the reasons we're here is to help each other.:confused:
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Mercjoe, where are you located? Are you willing to swap the gears out of your side shift trans into a top loader case or are you looking for a complete transmission?

Since your truck is already open drive, you can use the tail shaft, yoke, rear mount, speedo drive, etc from your side shift transmission. You just need to transfer the entire gear cluster assemblies over to a top loader case with the correct shifter top.

Depending on what you are looking to do, I may be able to help you out.
 
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"mercjoe", Are you located overseas? That makes a big difference. You should add your general location (state or country) to your profile; it'll help with stuff like this.
 
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