1939-52 toploader behind a Y-block?

[31pickemup]

I was curious if anyone on here has mated a 1939-52 toploader to a Y-block. Ive seen the adaptors but never seen anybody using them. I'm building my car with a mid to late 50's theme and wanted to use a period trans. I'd love to hear from somebody using one. How well does it hold up, drive? etc etc

[GreenMonster48]

A friend of mine has a 292 Yblock mated to a 39 toploader in his 40 ford coupe. He built it that way years and years ago. As far as I know he never had an issue, but he doesn't hammer on it either. I remember him saying he used an 11" truck clutch disc.

[flatheadz-forever]

Talk to tuck over on the hamb he has a 292 mated to a 39 trans in his 1930 model a pickup build

[ford3]

you have to be careful with those trans, you can knock a couple of teeth off the cluster gear, don't slam it in gear and pop the clutch to get second gear rubber, most early flatheads had 100 h/p or so, the 292 has around 200 h/p, that trans wasn't designed to handle that kind of h/p

[Bruce Compton, Canada]

I agree with ford3. These trannies are just O.K. behind a flatmotor. My choice to maintain a vintage build would be a '49-'55 Borg Warner three speed overdrive and a period correct aftermarket floor-shifter. You would have a tough enough tranny and the overdrive option to boot. Good luck : Bruce

[31pickemup]

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Bruce, Great suggestion. Ill have to keep my out out for one. Those are new to me so im not really knowing what to look for. What bellhousing would I use?

[31pickemup]

Actually what would they use if it was later 50's?

[miker98038]

My 55 bird, with a y block of course, came with a T-86 BW, with the R-10 O/D. Later model cars and trucks used the T-85 with the R-11 O/D. I think the T-85 was the standard trans all the way to the 406 motors, with the T-10 4 speed an option. The T-85's are bullet proof behind a Y block untill you get to full race motors and big tires. They are also bigger, more expensive, and harder to find.

Some truck bell housings were different, made to take the granny low 4 speeds. I don't know if a standard 3 sp will bolt up, but someone here will know.

Both these trans were available with different ratios and in different lengths, I think, and possibly different rear mount positions. I'm no expert, but there is quite a lot of info out there. Here, the HAMB, and Y-blocksforever.

That said, a T-86 R-10 unit will probably take enough torque to break anything earlier than a Dana 44 or a 9 inch rear end. Both came behind the Y's, and junkyards were where we got parts in those days, so period correct.

I don't remember floor shifts being so popular till the early 60's. Certainly not at my income level. We managed to cobble up the 3 on the tree. But early shifters still show up on evilbay. The first one I could afford was the Hurst Mystery Shifter ("it's a mystery how we made it so affordable"), in about '67. Dragfast comes to mind, or something like that, lots of cheaper shifters before and after Hurst took over the market.

With a 27-28 inch tire, and the O/D, rear gears ranged from 3:55 or so in V8's, to 4:27 or so with a 6 cyl wagon. Maybe even higher numerically in the cars.

My first 55 bird, with a .060 312, 11.25 to 1 pistons, and an RPM 300 cam, ran real nice on 27.5" recaps (off Dad's car), with the 4:27 Dana from a junk yard wagon. Back in the 60's.

Hope this helps, or at least gives a start on your research. I've got a Y in a '32, and it's always good to see a Y, instead of the sbc.

[Bruce Compton, Canada]

I have a BW overdrive in my '54 Merc 256 Y block, and it's basically the same as the ones used by all Ford products from '49 to '56, except that there were several tailshaft and rear mount position differences. These are not as tough as the later BW T85 R 11 units but plenty strong enough for almost any Y block. The front mounting bolt patterns are all the same, but you might have to match your clutch disc to the input spline of the tranny that you use. The hardest parts to find are the 12 volt solenoid and relay as the kickdown switch and governor are not voltage sensitive. Bruce

[y'sguy]

Not period correct but how bout a mustang 5speed. no one will know except the happy driver. modify a bell housing, gets done a lot. Mummert can convert for you or you might be able to do it urself. may end up being cheaper and more effecient.

[31pickemup]

Ok can someone please tell me what this is out of? And will it work for my Y-block? I was buying parts today off a old timer and he had this in the corner of his shop. He and I didn't know what it exactly was just knew it was a BW. Luckily it turns out to be a T86 with R10 OD took me a whole day to find one lol. If it's not what I need then I'm only out $50. Internals look great in the Trans.

[miker98038]

I sent you a pm.

[Kahuna]

I think you've found what you need