F-150 transmission w/overdrive

[Bob's '30 Cabriolet]

Greetings all,

I'm curious with those that have the F-150 transmission w/overdrive conversion for the Model A, what weight of gear oil you recommend using in it?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[Grumps]

If it was me and I had one, I would use what the builder of the F-150 kit recommends. I think that Dave Delmue builds them and puts all new gears in the gear case and should know what should be used. His contact number is (408) 722-2518.

[AL in NY]

I use 80/90-140 gear oil in mine. I believe the Ford repair manual recommends straight 90 weight. Grumps, your information about Dave Delume using new gears in his transmission kits is wrong. You can only find new synchro rings, bearings and gaskets for that transmission. If you are very, very, very lucky you may find a new gear on eBay. It's even really hard to find a good used gear from most parts dealers.

[Big hammer]

What year of transmission, I would use what Ford suggests for that year !

[AL in NY]

Big hammer.............1984-1987

[Jim/GA]

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The shop manual says fill with 4.5 pints of 80W gear oil.

If anyone needs a copy of the 1984 shop manual pages for this transmission (22 pages), I can email you a PDF file. Shoot me an email requesting them.

[AL in NY]

Here's a screenshot showing the recommended lubricant.

[old31]

I have Dave's F150 trans and use 80/90.

[Grumps]

Hey AL, you're right on the parts that Dave puts in his kit. Poor choice of words on my post. Old31 how was Dave's kit? Was it as easy to install as he says it is and how do you like the gear ratio's in his trans?

[Steve in Denver]

Anyone have a picture of that transmission and overdrive out so we can see it? How long is it? Does the cross member have to come out of the flathead frames?

[rotorwrench]

The Tremec T170 RTS TOD has no drain plug so old lubricant has to be drawn out with a suction gun or a fluid hand pump. I've heard of some folks drilling with care into the bottom of the case and installing a drain plug. This kind of stuff should be done during an overhaul when the case is bare. The aluminum casting in the bottom of the case is not all that thick so this isn't an easy job. The 80W-90 GL-4 gear lube should work OK. GL-5 is not recommended. These transmissions used anaerobic sealer so there are no gaskets. This link is a good read about them.
https://www.fordgarage.com/pages/TremecT170FT.htm

They have been modified for torque tube drive for model A cars and later V8 Fords but things like shortening the torque tube and fabricating the pedal brackets are done for the model A installations. V8 cars require shortening of torque tube as well. The transmission is longer than either design of early Ford 3-speed transmission. As far as I know, the model A center cross member is not affected but a person should contact one of the kit fabricators for more information if any are still out there producing kits. These transmissions are growing more scarce all the time and many hard parts are no longer produced.

Here is another link.
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249198

Dave Delmue in CA was also doing conversions,

[old31]

Grumps, Daves kit is 100% first class and he has made it easy to install. The ratios are good, I have a 3.78 rear end, but would prefer the next one lower for highway use.

I spoke to Dave a few weeks ago about getting another kit and he said that he could no longer find any more trans to build. Not sure, maybe he found some.

[Phil Brown]

X2 and X3 on 100% first class for Daves's kits as we put one in my dad's car and also my CCPU. Everything for the changeover was supplied and it fit together perfectly with NO cutting of the frame or crossmembers needed. Not only is the car nice to drive in overdrive when needed, the lack of gear noise from a gearbox with modern gears is really nice
Ratios in the trans work well for me with the 3.78 out back and also use the 80-90w gear oil

[Phil Brown]

A few pics of my dad's car during the install that show the trans length and fitment

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Phil Brown

X2 and X3 on 100% first class for Daves's kits as we put one in my dad's car and also my CCPU. Everything for the changeover was supplied and it fit together perfectly with NO cutting of the frame or crossmembers needed. Not only is the car nice to drive in overdrive when needed, the lack of gear noise from a gearbox with modern gears is really nice
Ratios in the trans work well for me with the 3.78 out back and also use the 80-90w gear oil

Same here. 10 years & 25K miles, still going strong. Dave will still build kits, you just have to source your own donor transmission.

[Grumps]

Talked to Dave the last of November and he said that he had the parts to do one, so I sent him a deposit. He said I should get the first shipment after Christmas and that I will receive 3 separate shipments. I still haven't told the wife that she bought it for me yet, but I'm sure she will be happy about it. We have been married 55 years.

[Raaf]

Gary@AAAA Transmissions In Fort Worth will rebuild and offers a conversion kit, but you have to supply the transmission.

Mine should be back home early January. I'll document the install and report back.

[F1_1950]

I crated a T170 and sent it from VA to Ohio to vintagemetalworks.com and they machined, cut, re splined the output shaft and put it all back together. Shipping back to me was reasonable as was the labor cost, etc.