The Ford Barn

flathead 53 · 06-26-2017, 06:16 PM

Any one out there using the 1979 ford fairmont 4 speed trans in an early car , this was the transmission that ford put behind the 302,so it would be strong enough for a flathead, the S-10 swap would be better but these are getting hard to find also.

rotorwrench · 06-26-2017, 06:21 PM

The T170 RTS that Ford used for a time is a decent 3-speed with 4th as an overdrive. Folks modify these for Model A vehicles as well as V8 types since they can be adapted to closed drive. The T5 can be as well but they have a bit different shifter location.

tubman · 06-26-2017, 06:40 PM

My knowledge on this is kinda sketchy, but isn't the T-170 from an F150 truck. Is it the same as the Fairmont transmission? If it is, (or close), this may be something to pursue.

flathead 53 · 06-26-2017, 06:46 PM

The t-170 are getting very hard to find the SROD is almost the same but has the single rail shifter ,like early mustang 2s . would like to put it in my 53 f-100 with stock 51 merc flathead,

JSeery · 06-26-2017, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flathead 53

the S-10 swap would be better but these are getting hard to find also.

Just a small comment on the S-10 swap, it doesn't have to be an S-10 T5. A lot of folks prefer the S-10, but the gearing is not the best and a lot of T5 other than the S-10 will work. I prefer the Ford T5z for a lot of reasons, but there are a lot of other Chevy (with both Chevy & Ford bolt patterns) that will work. One advantage to the T5z (to me) is they were easy to purchase new! I was getting them from Ford for under $2k with free delivery to the local dealer. However the price was recently increased.

rotorwrench · 06-26-2017, 06:52 PM

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There are several versions of the T170 but the RTS is the "Top Shift" of this series. I'm not sure what all they were used in.

Mac VP · 06-26-2017, 08:21 PM

I have the 79-81 SROD transmission in a 57 Ford behind a mild 292 4 barrel V8......(installed by a previous owner). It wouldn't have been my first choice but it gets the job done ok. The leap from 2nd to 3rd gear is pretty tall. The shifter mechanism is somewhat loosey goosey. The biggest advantage for me is the overdrive 4th gear. It makes for a nice cruiser on the highway. I don't ever plan to sidestep the clutch or slam the shifter into another gear so it should serve me fine.

birdball · 06-28-2017, 08:45 PM

I just picked up an RTS also and purchased an adapter from a Ford Barn member to adapt the torque tube to. Might be another good consideration for you. I know many model A people are running them.

At the risk of hijacking the thread- Do you guys with these RTS transmissions have any recommendations on where to send the main shaft to get cut and machined for Ford splines?

rotorwrench · 06-29-2017, 09:54 AM

I don't think the shafts are particularly hard. A decent size lathe and a horizontal mill can do the machine work required. A person would have to check the local machine shops & find one that's friendly to mods like this. Some vertical mills can be set up to cut splines too but it takes special tooling. A person would just need the dimensions to cut it to.

06-26-2017, 06:16 PM	#1
flathead 53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central nj Posts: 717	3 speed overdrive Any one out there using the 1979 ford fairmont 4 speed trans in an early car , this was the transmission that ford put behind the 302,so it would be strong enough for a flathead, the S-10 swap would be better but these are getting hard to find also.

06-26-2017, 06:21 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 3 speed overdrive The T170 RTS that Ford used for a time is a decent 3-speed with 4th as an overdrive. Folks modify these for Model A vehicles as well as V8 types since they can be adapted to closed drive. The T5 can be as well but they have a bit different shifter location.

06-26-2017, 06:40 PM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: 3 speed overdrive My knowledge on this is kinda sketchy, but isn't the T-170 from an F150 truck. Is it the same as the Fairmont transmission? If it is, (or close), this may be something to pursue.

06-26-2017, 06:46 PM	#4
flathead 53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central nj Posts: 717	Re: 3 speed overdrive The t-170 are getting very hard to find the SROD is almost the same but has the single rail shifter ,like early mustang 2s . would like to put it in my 53 f-100 with stock 51 merc flathead,

06-26-2017, 06:52 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 3 speed overdrive Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are several versions of the T170 but the RTS is the "Top Shift" of this series. I'm not sure what all they were used in.

06-26-2017, 08:21 PM	#7
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: 3 speed overdrive I have the 79-81 SROD transmission in a 57 Ford behind a mild 292 4 barrel V8......(installed by a previous owner). It wouldn't have been my first choice but it gets the job done ok. The leap from 2nd to 3rd gear is pretty tall. The shifter mechanism is somewhat loosey goosey. The biggest advantage for me is the overdrive 4th gear. It makes for a nice cruiser on the highway. I don't ever plan to sidestep the clutch or slam the shifter into another gear so it should serve me fine. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

06-28-2017, 08:45 PM	#8
birdball Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Milford, MI Posts: 56	Re: 3 speed overdrive I just picked up an RTS also and purchased an adapter from a Ford Barn member to adapt the torque tube to. Might be another good consideration for you. I know many model A people are running them. At the risk of hijacking the thread- Do you guys with these RTS transmissions have any recommendations on where to send the main shaft to get cut and machined for Ford splines? __________________ 1932 2 door sedan/ Merc Flathead 1932 5W 1932 Roadster/ SCoT Flathead 1932 Roadster Cadillac power

06-29-2017, 09:54 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: 3 speed overdrive I don't think the shafts are particularly hard. A decent size lathe and a horizontal mill can do the machine work required. A person would have to check the local machine shops & find one that's friendly to mods like this. Some vertical mills can be set up to cut splines too but it takes special tooling. A person would just need the dimensions to cut it to.