Adapter Kit.. ‘39 trans to A/B engine.

[hardtimes]

Is this kit still made ?
If so by whom ?

Also, If you have such Kit , not going to use… I would like to purchase it… used OK also !

[Bob C]

Is Cling's still in business? http://clingsaftermarket.com/addtocart.asp?prod=3000

[Charlie Stephens]

Also try Bert's, (800) 321-1931. I don' know the current status but I think they used to have them.

Charge Stephens

[GeneBob]

Snyder's Antiuqes sells the Cling adapter kit.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=978885&cat=0

[Floats]

Hi Hardtimes,
If you don’t mind me asking. What is the reason for wanting to fit a 39 trans to the back of an A/B engine?
Are there any advantages to the later trans on the A or B engine?

[walls]

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I have had the V8 trans in a previous Model A and am getting ready to put another in a different car.
I bought a kit from clings about 3 months ago. To my knowledge, they’re still doing their thing.
I just don’t like the original non synchro trans.
I also prefer the gear ratio in the 39.
No difference on final drive obviously.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by Floats

Hi Hardtimes,
If you don’t mind me asking. What is the reason for wanting to fit a 39 trans to the back of an A/B engine?
Are there any advantages to the later trans on the A or B engine?

The main reason for installing a later later trans is that it has synchros, which the Model A trans does not have.

[alexiskai]

Is this roughly cost-competitive with the Mitchell synchro? Not sure what the going rate for a’39 transmission is.

[Floats]

Thank you Gents, much appreciated.

[GeneBob]

I put a 1935 trans in. It does not have great synchros but the second gear ratio is much better than the Model A trans. The 1935-1938 transmissions have the better gear ratios and Ford improved the synchros every couple of years but the 1939 (and later gears put into the earlier cases) has the best synchro's of the series.
Mitchell's also offers a sychro trans with improved gear ratios. I think they run about $2500 plus shipping? So a 1939 at about $800 to $900 plus the adapter kit at about $700 adds up to $1600 but when you add two separate shipping costs it would be about 3/4's the cost of the Mitchell but the Mitchell has new gears with a warranty from a good supplier in the hobby.
Part of my choice of the 1935 trans was that it gave me the ratios and I would live with the weaker synchro's because the earlier transmissions are about half the cost of the 1939's.

[alexiskai]

What's the impact of "weaker" synchros? Like, they fail in fewer miles, or they only sort of work?

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

What's the impact of "weaker" synchros? Like, they fail in fewer miles, or they only sort of work?

The only problem I observed with the earlier syncs is that you couldn't shift quite as fast. You should be able to get a hundred thousand plus miles on a properly rebuilt transmission so I have never noticed the difference in life between my '32 with the original transmission and a '39 transmission.

Charlie Stephens

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by GeneBob

I put a 1935 trans in. It does not have great synchros but the second gear ratio is much better than the Model A trans. The 1935-1938 transmissions have the better gear ratios and Ford improved the synchros every couple of years but the 1939 (and later gears put into the earlier cases) has the best synchro's of the series.
Mitchell's also offers a sychro trans with improved gear ratios. I think they run about $2500 plus shipping? So a 1939 at about $800 to $900 plus the adapter kit at about $700 adds up to $1600 but when you add two separate shipping costs it would be about 3/4's the cost of the Mitchell but the Mitchell has new gears with a warranty from a good supplier in the hobby.
Part of my choice of the 1935 trans was that it gave me the ratios and I would live with the weaker synchro's because the earlier transmissions are about half the cost of the 1939's.

1930's gearboxes are rare here but I have a 1935 one in the workshop. If the synchros were updated every couple of years, were there changes made to the case? In other words, can later gears etc be put into the 1935 case?
That Clings adapter doesn't look like it would work for me but I'd have to see the other side of it.
The more I think about it, maybe a Mitchell at about $5,000 is the better way to go because it would cost big $ to graft the '35 box onto the A flywheel housing and be able to mount the clutch and brake pedals.

[alexiskai]

Here’s the RHD adapter.

https://www.clingsaftermarket.com/ad....asp?prod=2000

This page breaks down the different gearbox types.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ed-options.htm

[GeneBob]

Sorry for the confusion. When I said "weaker", I meant they were not as good at synchronizing. I don't know that they won't last just as long as the 1939 synchros. The 1939 (and 40-4?) gears and sychro's can be fit into the older cases. Some cases with some gearsets require some grinding for clearance. I don't know the exact combinations but you cannot just change the synchros, you must change the entire gearset and shafts.
Cling's has the right hand version of the adapter.

[Synchro909]

Thanks alexiskai and GeneBob. Very encouraging. I'll do some more research on switching parts from a '39 gearbox. I'll need an input shaft at least because the one in the gearbox now is quite rusty. The gears change smoothly though and there is no water in there

[Ruth]

So according to the link that Alexskai posted, the later V-8 gears will fit in the "B" box. This sounds like the way the go with a Model A instead of adapting a V-8 box using the Cling adaptor kit. And a whole lot cheaper.

Or did I miss something?

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by Ruth

So according to the link that Alexskai posted, the later V-8 gears will fit in the "B" box. This sounds like the way the go with a Model A instead of adapting a V-8 box using the Cling adaptor kit. And a whole lot cheaper.

Or did I miss something?

You still need the parts of the kit that mount the pedals and support the wishbone. I am not sure they will work with the "B" transmission.

Charlie Stephens

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by Ruth

So according to the link that Alexskai posted, the later V-8 gears will fit in the "B" box. This sounds like the way the go with a Model A instead of adapting a V-8 box using the Cling adaptor kit. And a whole lot cheaper.

Or did I miss something?

Not sure it would be cheaper – as Charlie says, you still have to adapt the B transmission to the A motor. It doesn't bolt right on. And it seems like there would be a greater supply (and thus lower cost) for V8 transmission housings and parts.

[PC/SR]

I think most parts are interchangable 32-39. I have a mix and match with a 37 case, 38 gear set, 39 synchro. I have the 39 gearset which came in the 37 case when I bought it but I liked the 38 ratios better. Van Pelt mentioned above has about everything you need to know about these trans. Buy his book.

[GeneBob]

I called Van Pelt about swapping out the gears/synchros and the person I spoke with said it would be very expensive to buy the whole set from them. He suggested finding the 39 or the 40-48? gears and synchros in a trans, then buying the parts that need to be replaced from Van Pelt.
The attachment of the Model B trans is different than the Model A so you have to match the flywheel housing/oil pan or something like that.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

You still need the parts of the kit that mount the pedals and support the wishbone. I am not sure they will work with the "B" transmission.

Charlie Stephens

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Not sure it would be cheaper – as Charlie says, you still have to adapt the B transmission to the A motor. It doesn't bolt right on. And it seems like there would be a greater supply (and thus lower cost) for V8 transmission housings and parts.

Thanks, I was thinking since the A and B blocks were basically the same the B trans would bolt up.

[jeepguy1948]

All I have to say about it all is that I have a Mitchell transmission and I love it. Still no synchro for first gear, Steve Mitchell tells me that there is simply not enough room in the case for them (for anybody that cares the synchros they use are from an early Mustang trans). They will sell you a trans with the stock ratios, or, they offer one with 15% higher second gear, and you can also get it with 15% higher first gear. Mine has the stock gear ratios (I bought it used) if given the opportunity I would get the higher second gear in a heartbeat. I would not get the higher first gear because you lose your “parade gear”. Also, I would add that I have never done business with anyone as nice as Cyndi and Steve Mitchell (Mel Gross is up there too).

[johnneilson]

Ruth,

The blocks are very similar, the pan and flywheel housings are very different.
The flywheel can be used in either case, the "B" is lighter stk and well, others are given a diet.
I have both the '39 box conversion and the T5 conversion. Both work well, it just depends on the application.

John

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by johnneilson

I have both the '39 box conversion and the T5 conversion. Both work well, it just depends on the application.

How would you describe the optimal application for each of those?

[johnneilson]

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Originally Posted by alexiskai

How would you describe the optimal application for each of those?

For me, the '39 trans with Mitchell OD is good for touring and parading.
Mine has a healthy flathead motor and will cruise all day long.

My other coop is more of a hotrod, QC rearend, T5 and OHV motor.
Full synchro and quicker to shift with really light flywheel.
It also makes removing trans for access to clutch easier with open driveline.

Thanks for asking, YMMV, John

[hardtimes]

Hey Floats,
I use a zephyr gear set… in the ‘39 ford gear box.
Best synchros for more smooth shifting , zephyr gear set for higher gear ratio… second gear.
There are TWO zephyr gear set ratios.. better/ best.
Van Pelt trans book is worth the $.