Tower vs Tranny

[mountinpie]

I got a partially restored 30 Tudor that appears to have an older transmission (no emergency mounting holes on shifting tower). I do have the original tower. Can I just swap the tower without replacing the entire transmission?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes you can just swap the tops.

[JohnLaVoy]

There are three variations of towers. Early has no emergency brake, next they put the emergency brake to the front and then they moved it to the right side. All will work for the transmission the location of the emergency brake handle is decided by the production time of the car.

[mountinpie]

Awesome, thanks for your help!
Now to deal with the spring... I'd rather not spend $40 on a tool that I'll use one time, but I will to be safe. Any cheaper methods?

[Pinesdune]

Originally Posted by mountinpie

Awesome, thanks for your help!
Now to deal with the spring... I'd rather not spend $40 on a tool that I'll use one time, but I will to be safe. Any cheaper methods?

Which "spring" , if it's the rear leaf spring, do a search on here about it, all the guys say it's a killer (and it is)


Saving iron from the scrap pile one piece at a time

[Al 29Tudor]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have not had the tower spring out but a friend has used this method.
He compresses it in a vice and uses two or three pieces of wire to hold it compressed while installing it.

[Pinesdune]

Ok, different spring than what I was thinking, sorry, I'm not trying to confuse the issue


Saving iron from the scrap pile one piece at a time

[Tom Wesenberg]

I made 3 different tools to deal with the spring. Each was an improvement over the previous tool, but the third design is by far the best. Vince posted a picture of this tool, and I found the perfect tubing from a free exercise bike on the curb.

If you don't have a tool, I have seen people squeeze the spring together in a vice, then wire it, install it, then cut the wires.

[Rancho Deluxe]

Originally Posted by mountinpie

Awesome, thanks for your help!
Now to deal with the spring... I'd rather not spend $40 on a tool that I'll use one time, but I will to be safe. Any cheaper methods?

That spring is of a different length on some of the early ones & has a metal cup and a round piece of felt in it.. Don't think you can use it in the later type tops ??..

[Utopia Texas]

Please be sure to use safety glasses when compressing and working on the springs. A $3 pair of plastic safety glasses from Lowes or Home Depot may save you eye sight.

[Y-Blockhead]

Do you have a Model A Club near you? Most Clubs have specialty tools in their Tool Crib to loan to members.

I agree, always use proper tools and safety protection.

[Bob C]

If you are swapping your shift lever to a new tower make sure you have the
right lever, 28-29 are different than 30-31. See the link to Vince's site.
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/tran...hiftlevers.htm

Bob

[Tom Wesenberg]

I try to make most of my own specialty tools, but I still have to buy some. If I think the price is too much, then I think how much would it cost if I injure myself from not using the right tool. Also you can resell the tool when you're done using it.

[Mitch//pa]

Here ya go:::: it's very safe...

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...ift+tower+tool

[PC/SR]

Get the tool. Tried the vise/spring method, could not get it right. And that spring is really loaded when in a vise.

[1955cj5]

I bought the tool...

Fiddled with other methods just enough to realize that I could be seriously injured..

I tried to find a short section of 1 1/4" copper pipe to try Mitch's method but couldn't....buying a 8 or 10 foot section didn't make sense..$84 at Lowes.......buy the tool...