Warford transmission in a Model A
- Thread starter Jedediah
- Start date
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
Well, can it be done? It is possible to adapt a Warford (-or a Layne) however the biggest hurdle I think you are going to find is the Main Shaft (Output) is designed to spline into the 'female' portion of the Universal Joint. The T's transmission is designed to have the 'male' section of the Universal Joint engage into the back side of the T's transmission. So something has got to give because there is not an easy way without a fair amount of machining to couple the Aux Transmission to the back of the A Transmission.
Next you need to deal with the Center Crossmember of the Frame since the Aux Transmission's shift lever and housing will be protruding thru the center of the Center Crossmember. Also keep in mind you have the Model-A Service Brake Cross-shaft that will want to share the same space as the Warford aux Transmission will be going into.
Third, not only will the Torque Tube & Driveshaft need to be shortened, but the design and diameter size of end of the Torque Tube will need to be modified so the backside of the Warford can have the arc of the Torque Tube be smooth as the vehicle is driven. Remember that all of the power from the rear wheels going either forward or backwards will be pushing on the Warford which will be pushing on the Model-A Transmission.
Fourth, if you get to this point you will likely be unhappy with the straight-cut gears whining when you are driving this conversion.
Keith True
Well-known member
By the time you have all the machine work done,you are not going to save anything over buying a Mitchell.You might also be shocked at what a serious T guy will give you for that Warford.Then,when it's all done,you will have a somewhat cobbled unit that was meant to go behind a 20 HP engine,not the 40 HP A motor.Now,if you already have the Warford,and have machining and welding skills,and all the equipment to do it,it might be a fun project for a couple hundred hours.
Joe K
Well-known member
Warfords seem to come in two variety: The Model TT variety which seems to be an "underdrive", and a Model AA variety which as said includes typically an "overdrive."
Both of these require the removal of the AA "intermediate shaft" which on the AA was either a connector with no gearing, or the mis-named "Dual High" - which was actually a dual low and offered a step down in speed. (creeper gear.)
Neither were really adapted to their smaller automobiles - it was a "truck" thing.
To adapt a Warford AA to a Model A will require cutting and reassembling the torque tube of the Model A driveline. As was said, a Mitchell Overdrive/Underdrive box is a more likely candidate since you replace the torque tube using fittings made for that - and you don't have to deal with the spherical joint/spline of the Warford, which adapted it to that AA intermediate shaft position.
Mitchell, of course now has the Synchronized Transmission Replacement - which can include an overdrive. (Three options.)
I believe Ruckstell made a Model A car transmission replacement - which replaced the 3 speed Model A with a three speed/flip shift of the Ruckstell. Written up at https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ruckstelldualhigh.htm These however are rare as the proverbial hen's teeth - the last one selling on Ebay in excess of $5K.
Joe K
Both of these require the removal of the AA "intermediate shaft" which on the AA was either a connector with no gearing, or the mis-named "Dual High" - which was actually a dual low and offered a step down in speed. (creeper gear.)
Neither were really adapted to their smaller automobiles - it was a "truck" thing.
To adapt a Warford AA to a Model A will require cutting and reassembling the torque tube of the Model A driveline. As was said, a Mitchell Overdrive/Underdrive box is a more likely candidate since you replace the torque tube using fittings made for that - and you don't have to deal with the spherical joint/spline of the Warford, which adapted it to that AA intermediate shaft position.
Mitchell, of course now has the Synchronized Transmission Replacement - which can include an overdrive. (Three options.)
I believe Ruckstell made a Model A car transmission replacement - which replaced the 3 speed Model A with a three speed/flip shift of the Ruckstell. Written up at https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ruckstelldualhigh.htm These however are rare as the proverbial hen's teeth - the last one selling on Ebay in excess of $5K.
Joe K
Last edited:
J Franklin
Well-known member
Buy a Mitchell overdrive unit and save a lot of work.
The Master Cylinder
Well-known member
The Mitchell Transmission is not really an 'Overdrive". Option 3 has a 15% higher 1st and 2nd than stock trans but 3rd is still 1:1.
Keith True
Well-known member
The Warford three speed was available for cars back in the day.It is not the direct/underdrive units we are used to seeing in the trucks.I've been told the Warford either was or is being reproduced.No idea if that's true or not.
Joe K
Well-known member
So perhaps a syncro mitchell would be best used against a 3.54 or a 3.27 rear?
Yunno - long gearing but the step ups would be better for those than the Model A standard ******?
I haven't seen it for a while but Vince Falter went through what he considered "optimal" gearing for the Model A in his discussion of late model ****** swaps - some are "better" than others in his opinion. And then he specifically applied the thought to the Mitchell. Interesting read. Were dollars found under every tree.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/mitchellsynchrotrans.htm
Joe K
Layne Machine made a Warford for the Model T and there was talk
years ago they were going to make one for the AA but never happened. https://www.texastparts.com/mm5/mer...Code=TTP&Product_Code=Warford&Category_Code=l
years ago they were going to make one for the AA but never happened. https://www.texastparts.com/mm5/mer...Code=TTP&Product_Code=Warford&Category_Code=l
The Master Cylinder
Well-known member
The 15% Mitchell synchro trans really shines because it closes up the gap between 2nd and 3rd, Plus the 15% higher and synchro 2nd and 3rd don't hurt. I also have a 26% Mitchell O/D. Most of my around town driving is in 2nd and 2nd O/D.
And if you are crazy enough, you can shift down to 1st by putting the O/D in neutral...
I have 3.78 gears in my town Sedan.
Last edited:
Keith True
Well-known member
I have a 26% Mitchell running ahead of 3.54 gears in my coupe.Works fine.A poster on here years ago had that setup,and told me I would like it,he was right.I do have a couple sets of 3.27's on the shelf,and I think that is really all I need.Probably 99% of the time the Mitchell is in high.I only wake up to it when I'm in a tight spot and want to creep,then I have to grab the lever and yank it back.I have no idea what kinds of situations folks are getting into where they feel they have to split the gears.Unless they're trying to drive it like a modern car and keep the revs in a certain spot.I run some back roads around here where the road looks like a wall in front of the radiator cap.
