Hi Folks - my 1952 3100 3-speed column shift has given up the fight and now sticks in 3rd and is very difficult to shift out, and almost impossible if you wait until the truck comes to a stop. The clutch is good and goes between 1st and reverse without hesitation or noise. I pulled the transmission and the input shaft and output shaft wobble side to side quite a bit, to the point of binding the 2nd/3rd gear slider - likely the cause of my problems. Anyway, I have another trans, and is identical in all dimensions and spline count, except that the replacement trans input shaft is tapered down to a smaller size as it enters the trans. It looks like it might be a car trans and my old one might be a truck one (might be from the original 216 or the 1955 235 currently in the truck). Any ideas if this 'new' trans will work OK? I'm trying to attach a photo of each. Thanks. Richard
I wish I could help as far as answering your questions! However, I just picked up an old inline-six mated to a three-speed transmission... so if neither of your transmissions fit the bill to get you back on the road, I may be able to help with a replacement. Mine came from a 1948 Chevy pick-up. Damon
Completely interchangable and a six banger isn't going to hurt the tapered down one a bit. I've killed a mountain of trans through the years including Ford Top Loaders and Muncie Rock Crushers but only recall a couple of twisted input shafts and both sheared right in the groove for the front bearing snap ring, not in the center of the shaft.
Be sure to check the diameter of the front bearing retainer (snout) as they made several different sizes. Some of the big ones have to be turned down on a lathe because the bolt pattern is different but it's no big deal.
Transmission Thanks guys - someone told me today that the transmission with the necked-down shaft is a 1953 or later model with a roller bearing on the input shaft in place of the older-style ball bearing. At any rate, it's going in the truck and we'll see. Thanks. Richard
Tranny Fun Richard ; You appear to have a slightly newer model light duty tranny , it'll be fine I am sure . Just measure the raised lip of the front bearing retainer . FWIW , it's not that input bearing that causes the input shaft to wobble ~ it's the roller bearings & surfaces where the input shaft and out put shaft , mate . Lack of sufficient oil is what causes this to wear out and to fix the old tranny you'll prolly need to replace both shafts as well as the needle bearings and often the cluster gear and it's shaft too . Remember to right now , go find a 1/2" NPT MAGNETIC drain plug and stick it in the new (used) tranny . If you decide to junk the old tranny , take the input shaft out (4 bolts) and save it for the world's best clutch alignment tool . YOU can easily rebuild the old worn out tranny , it's not difficult and requires no special tools , just someone who CARES unlike the minimum wage guy at most rebuilders .
Trans Thanks Nate - the 'new' one is going in the truck so I can drive it. I ordered a transmission rebuild book from classic parts, so I can give the rebuild a try. Thanks. Richard
Tranny Overhaul Don't forget the factory shop manual ~ it's cheap and well written , chock full of info written by the same people who designed the tranny .
