Model A banger trans/gears

[kevinwalshe]

So I'm going to start a Model A banger build as soon as I get the chassis, classic 40's style without fenders, but with juice brakes and wire wheels. I am going to put a higher compression head and possible down draft carb. I have searched quite a bit on here and couldn't find my answer. I'm wondering if there is a relatively simple trans swap or if banjo gears are available for a little more enjoyable top speed on the freeway. I don't mind going 55 but 70 would be amazing. I hope that I don't get torn apart for wanting to swap a trans or gears! Thanks in advance guys!!!
Kevin

[700rpm]

What is a banger?

[Charlie Stephens]

You can get 3.27 or 3.54 gears for the Model A rear end which should solve you problem. This is the relatively simple solution. Adapting a late model trans with high gear an overdrive is the other alternative. Remember you need to run adapters if you run wire wheels on hydraulic drums. See http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t.../#post-8330045 if you don't know what I mean about the adapters.

Charlie Stephens

[redmodelt]

banger = 4 cylinder ford A engine

[modelAsteve]

700- a "banger" is something the Brits eat! How come you guys named a chapter after a wonderful part of my wife's anatomy?
Kev- 3:54's are ok- 3:27 a little to much.
70 is amazing and very scary in a banger powered A. Warm the engine up a little like you are talking about, think about an over drive and keep the speeds down.
A '39 trans is almost a bolt in and gives you a syncro 2nd/3rd and better ratios.
Your question might be better off asked over on the HAMB- they even have a monthly banger discussion!

[kevinwalshe]

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Thanks guys! I just purchased the '29 Model A, its a complete chassis, just no body. I've been doing more research and some steel wheels from the 40's might be the ticket to be able to fit the brakes and run radials for a smooth ride. Is a gear swap to 3:54's very difficult? I'm pretty handy spinning a wrench but have never built a rearend.
Kevin

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by modelAsteve

700- a "banger" is something the Brits eat! How come you guys named a chapter after a wonderful part of my wife's anatomy?
Kev- 3:54's are ok- 3:27 a little to much.
70 is amazing and very scary in a banger powered A. Warm the engine up a little like you are talking about, think about an over drive and keep the speeds down.
A '39 trans is almost a bolt in and gives you a syncro 2nd/3rd and better ratios.
Your question might be better off asked over on the HAMB- they even have a monthly banger discussion!

Says who?? Not from my experiences!!

[denis4x4]

Gear choice has more to do with tire diameter and width. Ran 3:27 gears with a '39 transmission and Lincoln Zephyr gears. Switched back to 3:54 years and all around performance was much improved. With the higher gears (lower numerically), there is a tendency to slip the clutch to hook up.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

banger = 4 cylinder ford A engine

Hmmm. Not where I grew up.

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

What is a banger?

It is a engine that needs rebuild.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

What is a banger?

It is interesting that this term varies so much. I live and grew up in Southern California. Among my peer group a "banger" meant a 4 cylinder engine, usually a 1928 to 1934 Ford. I guess it is like what do you put i a turkey at Thanksgiving, stuffing or dressing? The answer depends on where you live but it still tastes the same.

Charlie Stephens

[PC/SR]

You might looks at a Mitchell overdrive, designed to put in a Model A. Mitchell also has an optional higher ratio gear set with 2-3 synchro that is close to the 28 tooth V8 gear set.

[Nasukau]

Denis4x4,
What steering box is that in the photo?

Denny

[just plain bill]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

It is interesting that this term varies so much. I live and grew up in Southern California. Among my peer group a "banger" meant a 4 cylinder engine, usually a 1928 to 1934 Ford. I guess it is like what do you put i a turkey at Thanksgiving, stuffing or dressing? The answer depends on where you live but it still tastes the same.

Charlie Stephens

In the 40's and 50's in the part of southern ca where I grew up a banger was a noisy 4 cylinder ford A. Quite a few had blown mufflers caused by retarding the spark with throttle wide open and switching the ignition on and off causing a very loud backfire. A good running A or B was called a "4 barrel" until the more general use of 4 barrel carbs.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

What is a banger?

The pushing of the Model A engine way beyond it's stock specifications, and placing it into a rather stock body (no chop).

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...-engine-build/

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

The pushing of the Model A engine way beyond it's stock specifications, and placing it into a rather stock body (no chop).

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...-engine-build/

Hey Mike,
Times 2 !
Any guesses as to what percentage of Model As fit into this statement/category today !!

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by kevinwalshe

Thanks guys! I just purchased the '29 Model A, its a complete chassis, just no body. I've been doing more research and some steel wheels from the 40's might be the ticket to be able to fit the brakes and run radials for a smooth ride. Is a gear swap to 3:54's very difficult? I'm pretty handy spinning a wrench but have never built a rearend.
Kevin

So easy that a 22 year old with benefit of only a Rick Freeman's "Model A Shop Manual" book can do it.



Rick was ok, but you have much better resources today including Tom Endy's celebrated Rear End Rebuild paper seen at http://www.santaanitaas.org/technica...tech-articles/

Dunno about the radials though.

Joe K

[kevinwalshe]

I thought they were called bangers because guys would drive them so hard to keep up with bigger motors, they would float valves and generally thrash the motors. I've always known a 4 cylinder engine as a 4-banger.
Kevin

[Big hammer]

Joe K that's one I started with and Ford Service Manual age 17

[Turkey Broth Trading]

Denny

Looks like the steering box denis4X4 shows in his photo is probably a Schroeder sprint car box.

Craig