FEATURES OF THE MODEL A TRANSMISSION

  The transmission is the selective, sliding-gear type, with three forward and one reverse speed.  It bolts directly behind and is fixed solidly to the clutch housing and is completely enclosed.  The main shaft is supported on heavy ball bearings and the counter shaft is carried on roller bearings.  These minimize friction and power loss and will last the life of the car.  Gears shift freely, due to the accuracy in their construction and the complete dis-engagement of the clutch.

There are several Ball and Roller bearings in the clutch and transmission.   This is unusual construction for a light moderate-price car.

The drive through the transmission, when in high gear, is direct, therefore there is no strains on the transmission case housing connections.  The control is standard shift, ratios are as follows:

HIGH 3.77 TO 1
INTERMEDIATE 7.01 TO 1
LOW 11.75 TO 1
REVERSE 13.84 TO 1

  Ratios of engine to drive shaft are:

HIGH 1 TO 1
INTERMEDIATE 1 TO 1.85
LOW 1 TO 3.12
REVERSE 1 TO 3.75

There were several changes in the transmission over the course of production. The reverse idler shaft was changed several times. The first style shaft had a large collar and was drilled lengthwise to allow oiling of the idler gear. The second style shaft omitted the collar. The third style was a solid shaft, and the idler gear was oiled via a hole in the gear itself. The new idler gear can be used on the old shaft, but the old idler gear can not be used with the new shaft due to lack of oiling. The case, obviously was changed at the same time the collar was dropped. The case was also changed to eliminate the two bronze thrust washers on the cluster gear shaft. This was done by increasing the size of the bosses in the case. There was also changes in the idler shaft / cluster gear shaft and the retainer. These parts were not interchangeable. All the changes in the transmission are documented in the Ford Service bulletins, and these should be consulted for the details.

FIRST STYLE IDLER SHAFT SECOND STYLE IDLER SHAFT THIRD STYLE IDLER SHAFT

FIRST STYLE CASE SECOND STYLE CASE
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THRUST WASHERS IN EARLY STYLE CASES EARLY STYLE COUNTER SHAFT LATER SYLE DRILLED REVERSE IDLER

Page designed by Jim Mason July, 2007