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Old 08-15-2014, 03:32 PM   #1
woodburnranch
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Default '39 transmission shift lever

I've located a good '39 tranny that is only missing the shift lever according to the seller. Will any other shift lever work or do I need a '39? Thanks. Jim
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Old 08-15-2014, 03:36 PM   #2
Bruce Lancaster
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

Any 1936 or later one will fit the trans, the several different shapes may or may not clear dash, seat, etc.
If you measure from the flat top of the pivot near the bottom of the lever to the very bottom, what you need is about 4 7/8". The wrong ones, 1932-35, will be about 4 1/8".
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Old 08-15-2014, 04:09 PM   #3
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

The various shift levers from '36 and later will fit as Bruce indicates, in addition the bend / shape of the Throw Out Bearing lever may or may not line up with your mating linkage to your clutch pedal. It depends on the year your trying to use the '39 tranny in. I did a '39 in my '35 and had to use the '39 shifter and made a profile of the original '35 shifter then rebent the '39 shifter to match the '35. Worked well. But when I went to hook up the Throw Out Bearing Lever, no go. I had to modify the length of the threaded adjustment linkage to get the correct free play in the clutch pedal and bend the Throw Out Lever on the tranny to get it to mate with the '35 pedal linkage correctly.

"39 tranny is a great modification to any pre '39 V8 Flattys. They really shift nice.
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Old 08-15-2014, 06:23 PM   #4
woodburnranch
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

Thanks for the info. Just curious if the 4 speed shift lever from my '38 pickup would fit the '39 3 speed. Thanks. Jim
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Old 08-15-2014, 06:41 PM   #5
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

What vehicle do you want to put the '39 tranny in?
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Old 08-15-2014, 06:48 PM   #6
woodburnranch
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

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I plan to replace the 4 speed in my '38 half ton pickup with a '39 3 speed.
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Old 08-15-2014, 07:54 PM   #7
tamnalan
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

Hey Jim - I have the same problem. My '39 has a crashbox 4-speed and I want to put an original 3 speed back in.

I grew up in Lewistown. I still have a sister there. My '39 comes from Benchland. My avatar pic on the left was taken in Lewistown.

Small world.

Last edited by tamnalan; 08-15-2014 at 08:04 PM.
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Old 08-15-2014, 09:38 PM   #8
quickchange34
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

When using the 39 box in the early cars remove the 39 leaver for the cluch and use the leaver that came with your car 32 to 36.
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Old 08-16-2014, 10:09 AM   #9
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

The 4-speed top cover is different than the 3-speed. I suspect the shift lever is too.
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Old 08-16-2014, 10:27 AM   #10
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Default Re: '39 transmission shift lever

quickchange34, that is the correct combo to make the clutch lever fit. I went back over my notes and remember now I didn't have my '35 tranny at the time I was installing the '39 tranny so couldn't swap out the lever. That was the reason for the modification I did to make it fit. Notes and visual reminded me I didn't bend the lever on the tranny but added to the threaded adjustment linkage and put a dog-leg bend on it to get it to fit. Sorry about that woodburnranch.
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