The Ford Barn

Robert Dip · 01-08-2013, 11:02 AM

Since I am in the process of re-building a few trannys for my projects, I’ve been reading on the cluster shaft inner bearings. There is a short one and a longer one. Some say to place the longer bearing in the front, which makes more sense to me, but, Mac’s replacement bearing package clearly states that the shorter one goes in the front. The green book mentions this 1.44” length shorter bearing is at the front. It does not specify the length of the rear, but the part # is different. Vern T mentions in one of his books that the longer one is in the front. Seems like ole Henry went to a lot of trouble to save half a penny….two long ones could have done. Can anyone clarify as to which one is correct, and possibly WHY. Robert

bbrocksr · 01-08-2013, 12:26 PM

The greatest load on the cluster gear is at the rear (greatest reduction) so the need for the largest bearing.
Bill

JM 35 Sedan · 01-08-2013, 12:38 PM

I just looked in Mac Van Pelt's Early Ford Transmission Book and the exploded parts drawing of typical 36 to 48 internal parts shows the short bearing to the front of the cluster (end w/large dia. gear). The short bearing is #7118 and the rear (end w/small dia. gear) has the long bearing #7121. This makes some sense to me considering the small diameter end of the cluster is under more of a load. Plus...as Henry once said "a penny saved is a penny earned". However, you could probably shorten the spacer and use the longer bearing at both ends.

fordscript · 01-08-2013, 03:27 PM

Inside the cluster gear, you will see that the bearing surface at the front is shorter than the bearing surface in the rear.

Robert Dip · 01-08-2013, 05:29 PM

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Another day older, another day smarter....Thanks guys,

Robert

01-08-2013, 11:02 AM	#1
Robert Dip Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Candiac, Qc. Posts: 483	Trans cluster shaft bearings Since I am in the process of re-building a few trannys for my projects, I’ve been reading on the cluster shaft inner bearings. There is a short one and a longer one. Some say to place the longer bearing in the front, which makes more sense to me, but, Mac’s replacement bearing package clearly states that the shorter one goes in the front. The green book mentions this 1.44” length shorter bearing is at the front. It does not specify the length of the rear, but the part # is different. Vern T mentions in one of his books that the longer one is in the front. Seems like ole Henry went to a lot of trouble to save half a penny….two long ones could have done. Can anyone clarify as to which one is correct, and possibly WHY. *Robert*

01-08-2013, 12:26 PM	#2
bbrocksr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yakima Washington Posts: 913	Re: Trans cluster shaft bearings The greatest load on the cluster gear is at the rear (greatest reduction) so the need for the largest bearing. Bill

01-08-2013, 12:38 PM	#3
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Trans cluster shaft bearings I just looked in Mac Van Pelt's Early Ford Transmission Book and the exploded parts drawing of typical 36 to 48 internal parts shows the short bearing to the front of the cluster (end w/large dia. gear). The short bearing is #7118 and the rear (end w/small dia. gear) has the long bearing #7121. This makes some sense to me considering the small diameter end of the cluster is under more of a load. Plus...as Henry once said "a penny saved is a penny earned". However, you could probably shorten the spacer and use the longer bearing at both ends. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 01-08-2013 at 02:30 PM.

01-08-2013, 03:27 PM	#4
fordscript Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oamaru, New Zealand Posts: 419	Re: Trans cluster shaft bearings Inside the cluster gear, you will see that the bearing surface at the front is shorter than the bearing surface in the rear.

01-08-2013, 05:29 PM	#5
Robert Dip Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Candiac, Qc. Posts: 483	Re: Trans cluster shaft bearings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Another day older, another day smarter....Thanks guys, *Robert*