Transmission Swap Out

[joe smith]

I have a 1950 ford with 3 speed & overdrive. Trans is broken. Will a 1951 ford trans bolt up to my flathead & drive shaft without issues? Thanks in advance joe smith

[Vic Piano]

Is your '50's transmission broken beyond repair? If not, I'd check with Mac Van Pelt to get what you need to fix it, you know it will go back in the car without any issues.

[flathead4rd]

The trans will fit but the mount for the cross member will be in a different location. I think you can reverse the mount to make it work.

[blucar]

From experience, I would suggest that you repair the original trans. As a general rule the used trans will be no better, probably worse than the one in the car.. Then after all of the modifications to get the "new" trans into the car, you find that you fixed nothing and went through a lot of work to do it..
I never had a reliable vehicle until I got smart and started doing repairs with known good parts..

[Mac VP]

The rear support on the 51 has wider spacing between the two bolt holes. Overall length is the same as the 49-50. The shifter housing for 51 has a unique clutch release support boss and different levers than the 49-50 type. Swap the 49-50 shifter housing complete with the shafts, forks, and levers onto the 51 trans and you should be good.

Unless you know that the 51 trans functions correctly, you might be trading one can of worms for another. Might be worth checking it out first.

[Alaska Jim]

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I am not sure, but if you are talking about changing an o/d trans for a non-o/d trans,you may have driveshaft length difference's I think the overdrive trans may be longer.

[AnthonyG]

E-mail this guy, Cliff Tipton and mention me Tony Galletta. I bought a rebuild from him and had him rebuild another. He does great work is easy to deal with and the most reasonable $ I have found. Turned them around in 2 weeks. The one I had him rebuild where I supplied the tranny was amazingly reasonable.
Cliff Tipton <[email protected]>;

[AnthonyG]

E-mail this guy, Cliff Tipton and mention me Tony Galletta. I bought a rebuild from him and had him rebuild another. He does great work is easy to deal with and the most reasonable $ I have found. Turned them around in 2 weeks. The one I had him rebuild where I supplied the tranny was amazingly reasonable.
Cliff Tipton <[email protected]>;

[Cecil/WV]

There is no difference in the length of a OD versus a non Od Trans. on '49-50 Ford.

[kameha301]

AnthonyG,

Would you mind if I contacted your rebuilder also? I am in NJ and have a 51 non-od trans that can use some work. Is he located in NJ?

Thanks!

[AnthonyG]

Absolutely, I told the guy if the occasion came up I'd let people know. Great guy to deal with. Go for it. Mine are working perfectly.

[AnthonyG]

Missed the location question, he's in Iowa, the UPS freight is about $70 but well worth it. And the turn around is amazingly quick even with the shipping!

[kameha301]

AnthonyG,

Thanks!!! I appreciate the help!

[Mike51Merc]

Originally Posted by Alaska Jim

I am not sure, but if you are talking about changing an o/d trans for a non-o/d trans,you may have driveshaft length difference's I think the overdrive trans may be longer.

There's no mention of a non-OD trans, but if it is, the rear end ratios are a lot different. You won't want to drive on the interstate without OD with that rear end.