The Ford Barn

MyFlattyFord · 02-02-2021, 02:39 PM

Greetings,
Looking for a transmission with OD to put in my 1950 Ford F-1. Floor Shift preferred.
Any suggestions or leads are appreciated.
Thank you.
Marty
C. # 773-four-nine-zero-9747

Aarongriffey · 02-02-2021, 06:16 PM

I am quite sure there never was a floor shift Ford transmission with overdrive.
A few have put ‘49 and 50 Mercury transmissions with overdrive in their F1 pickups but I understand it is a lot of work getting clearance for the rear end of an overdrive transmission.
Probably much easier to get an adapter and install a five speed.
You’ll have synchro first, an overdrive and floor shift.

rotorwrench · 02-02-2021, 07:13 PM

The T170 RTS is a 4-speed with 4th as an overdrive and top center shift. The T5 is another possibility but shifts a bit further back from center. Both have been adapted to flatheads on numerous occasions.

Ford didn't make any top shift overdrives in that time frame but one of our contributors built himself a top shift conversion set up using a truck type shift tower that was modified to shift a side shift 1949 thru early 51 Mercury overdrive transmission. It uses sliding plates under the tower that have vertical arms that engage the custom built shift arms on the side shifter housing. The tower then bolts to the top of the transmission utilizing existing hardware fastening locations.

The F1 cross member has to be modified to fit the transmission due to the solenoid location. One fellow moved the original cross member back and installed a partial cross member in the original location to support the pedals.

Bob C · 02-02-2021, 09:23 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words.

1952henry · 02-02-2021, 09:27 PM

I think I have seen that before. Side shift converted to top shift. Clever.

Newc · 02-03-2021, 12:40 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You're already open driveline-so-- Using a 49-53 car V8 bellhousing -you can bolt up a F150 OD 4speed floor shift trans. I got that trans from an '78 F 150. Those trans are double drilled for the pattern back to '49 car, and use the normal clutch disc '49 up. Also the trans has a splined output for the sliding driveshaft yoke. Ford doubled drilled a lot of the later transmission mount holes. Check the input circle diameter of the large hole in the bellhousing tho. Newc

expavr · 02-03-2021, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newc

You're already open driveline-so-- Using a 49-53 car V8 bellhousing -you can bolt up a F150 OD 4speed floor shift trans. I got that trans from an '78 F 150. Those trans are double drilled for the pattern back to '49 car, and use the normal clutch disc '49 up. Also the trans has a splined output for the sliding driveshaft yoke. Ford doubled drilled a lot of the later transmission mount holes. Check the input circle diameter of the large hole in the bellhousing tho. Newc

Newc. Is this what your 78 F150 transmission looks like? s://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-78-FORD-TOPLOADER-3-SPEED-WITH-OVERDRIVE-MANUAL-TRANSMISSION-RUG-CB-MH-6/164385510565?hash=item264623d4a5%3Ag%3A6lkAAOSw0Kt fWADc&fits=Year%3A1978|Model%3AF-150|Make%3AFord
Do you think it would matchup to the bolt pattern on a hogshead?

rotorwrench · 02-03-2021, 04:56 PM

The T170 RTS TOD's were used on F150, some F250, and Bronco models from 1984 through early 1987 in both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. The 4WD version is set up to accept a transfer case but can still be used for a flathead by modifying the tail shaft & housing for closed drive or using the tail end made for a slip knuckle yoke. There were three gear ratios used. Some are good and some are not so good.

Earlier SMOD & SROD transmissions are different than these and have a different shifter.

pistonbroke · 02-04-2021, 11:42 AM

Be warned , these late model OD's are only 15% or less overdrives. Not the 33.3% like the originals . I put one in my 63 Comet S22. It made little difrence. at 70 mph . I helped my friend put the 49 merc OD in his 51 F1 and we drive it all over the nation. Our first trip was Seattle to Kansas City. Just works like a dream is all that can be said about it.

5851a · 02-05-2021, 10:29 AM

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/TremecT170FT.htm Seems to written for installation with Model A in mind. Lots of info on the 2 different types, charts for different ratios toward end.

Frank Miller · 02-06-2021, 09:29 AM

Why do people steer people away from what they are looking for. The coolest thing is to modify something and make it look stock or at least period correct. I've wondered if you can put the side shift internals into a top loader box. That would solve the problem if he had a stock transmission and came across a car one.

rotorwrench · 02-06-2021, 02:37 PM

The top shift transmission cases were never designed for use with the Borg Warner electric overdrive. The bolt up and lock out provisions make the overdrive cases completely different.

02-02-2021, 02:39 PM	#1
MyFlattyFord Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 25	1950, F-1, OD trans available? Greetings, Looking for a transmission with OD to put in my 1950 Ford F-1. Floor Shift preferred. Any suggestions or leads are appreciated. Thank you. Marty C. # 773-four-nine-zero-9747

02-02-2021, 06:16 PM	#2
Aarongriffey Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Hayward,CA Posts: 513	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? I am quite sure there never was a floor shift Ford transmission with overdrive. A few have put ‘49 and 50 Mercury transmissions with overdrive in their F1 pickups but I understand it is a lot of work getting clearance for the rear end of an overdrive transmission. Probably much easier to get an adapter and install a five speed. You’ll have synchro first, an overdrive and floor shift.

02-02-2021, 07:13 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? The T170 RTS is a 4-speed with 4th as an overdrive and top center shift. The T5 is another possibility but shifts a bit further back from center. Both have been adapted to flatheads on numerous occasions. Ford didn't make any top shift overdrives in that time frame but one of our contributors built himself a top shift conversion set up using a truck type shift tower that was modified to shift a side shift 1949 thru early 51 Mercury overdrive transmission. It uses sliding plates under the tower that have vertical arms that engage the custom built shift arms on the side shifter housing. The tower then bolts to the top of the transmission utilizing existing hardware fastening locations. The F1 cross member has to be modified to fit the transmission due to the solenoid location. One fellow moved the original cross member back and installed a partial cross member in the original location to support the pedals. Last edited by rotorwrench; 02-02-2021 at 07:23 PM.

02-02-2021, 09:27 PM	#5
1952henry Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,618	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? I think I have seen that before. Side shift converted to top shift. Clever. __________________ I dig coal, which provides motivation for EVs.

02-03-2021, 12:40 AM	#6
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,484	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You're already open driveline-so-- Using a 49-53 car V8 bellhousing -you can bolt up a F150 OD 4speed floor shift trans. I got that trans from an '78 F 150. Those trans are double drilled for the pattern back to '49 car, and use the normal clutch disc '49 up. Also the trans has a splined output for the sliding driveshaft yoke. Ford doubled drilled a lot of the later transmission mount holes. Check the input circle diameter of the large hole in the bellhousing tho. Newc

02-03-2021, 04:56 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? The T170 RTS TOD's were used on F150, some F250, and Bronco models from 1984 through early 1987 in both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. The 4WD version is set up to accept a transfer case but can still be used for a flathead by modifying the tail shaft & housing for closed drive or using the tail end made for a slip knuckle yoke. There were three gear ratios used. Some are good and some are not so good. Earlier SMOD & SROD transmissions are different than these and have a different shifter. Last edited by rotorwrench; 02-03-2021 at 05:05 PM.

02-04-2021, 11:42 AM	#9
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 481	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? Be warned , these late model OD's are only 15% or less overdrives. Not the 33.3% like the originals . I put one in my 63 Comet S22. It made little difrence. at 70 mph . I helped my friend put the 49 merc OD in his 51 F1 and we drive it all over the nation. Our first trip was Seattle to Kansas City. Just works like a dream is all that can be said about it.

02-05-2021, 10:29 AM	#10
5851a Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NE Iowa Posts: 1,664	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/TremecT170FT.htm Seems to written for installation with Model A in mind. Lots of info on the 2 different types, charts for different ratios toward end.

02-06-2021, 09:29 AM	#11
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? Why do people steer people away from what they are looking for. The coolest thing is to modify something and make it look stock or at least period correct. I've wondered if you can put the side shift internals into a top loader box. That would solve the problem if he had a stock transmission and came across a car one. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

02-06-2021, 02:37 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: 1950, F-1, OD trans available? The top shift transmission cases were never designed for use with the Borg Warner electric overdrive. The bolt up and lock out provisions make the overdrive cases completely different.