35 Transmission

[ROB-PA]

Okay, I finally got to spend some time with the 35 Plymouth (building a new house really eats your time!). I have a couple of basic questions.

 

The input shaft was somewhat corroded from sitting for about 40 years with no engine attached. I cleaned it up and attacked it with some medium grit emery strips (100, 200, 400). It doesn't look too bad but there is some pitting. I may be able to live with the pitting but I would like to know if anyone here knows what the OD of the pilot shaft is supposed to be. I don't think I removed too much material but I would like to check it.

 

The next question is about removing the top plate to inspect and clean. Are there any surprises waiting for me? Like spring loaded ball detents that will try to find a new home. This is the early tranny with the shifter that overhangs the bell housing. The bottom of the shift mechanism is exposed when there is no bell housing attached.

 

The transmission shifts but it is very stiff so I'm sure the shift pivot needs cleaned and lubed and the sludge needs to be drained from the box and some cleaning performed.

 

Any advise would be appreciated.

[Jerry Roberts]

Is this a floor shift transmission ? On my floor shift transmission ( 1939 - 1947 truck ) there is nothing that can jump out and get lost . When I want to put the top back on , I put the gears in neutral and the forks in neutral and slide the forks in the correct groves . Perhaps your car is different though . 

[TodFitch]

I don't know if the '35 is like the '33 and '34 or like the later '36 as the one parts book I don't have is for '35.

 

For '33 and '34 the shift lever is bolted to a frame cross member and simply extends a shaft into the otherwise open top of front of the transmission. There is a boot/seal that goes between the transmission and the frame cross member to seal things up.

 

In that early type of transmission, the top cover is just the top cover. The shift rails are held in by separate bars across the top of the shift rails and the lock out is a small ball bearing under the shift rails.

 

Since '35 was the first year for synchromesh, my guess is that a bunch of other things changed too, so the above about the '33 and '34 may not be applicable.

[David Strieb]

The Plymouth 3 speed floor shift car trans. is the same from 1935 to 1939. The floor shift lever doesn't have shifting forks, but extends into two shifting rails that

are attached to the top of the trans case. The shifting forks are connected to the rails. I think any loose parts are below the rails, which are independent of the

gear shift lever.

[ROB-PA]

David is correct. The shifter is mounted in a conical extension of the top cover that overhangs and is bolted to the bell housing. In the manual I have the graphic shows the shifter and the shifting rails mentioned and what appears to be ball detents below the rails. I didn't know if the removal of the cover would allow the rails to move and release the ball detents. I scanned the graphic and I will try to attach it below but the scan didn't come out too clear.

 

I was also wondering where I can get replacements for the universal boots on the drive shaft. The originals on this are leather and they are pretty much toast. I see that the 46 truck drive shaft is similar but they are rubber. I haven't been able to find these yet. Any ideas?

 

 

 

[1940plymouth]

Andy Bernbaum, Vintage Power Wagon should have the boots

[Robert Horne]

Okay, I finally got to spend some time with the 35 Plymouth (building a new house really eats your time!). I have a couple of basic questions.

 

The input shaft was somewhat corroded from sitting for about 40 years with no engine attached. I cleaned it up and attacked it with some medium grit emery strips (100, 200, 400). It doesn't look too bad but there is some pitting. I may be able to live with the pitting but I would like to know if anyone here knows what the OD of the pilot shaft is supposed to be. I don't think I removed too much material but I would like to check it.

 

The next question is about removing the top plate to inspect and clean. Are there any surprises waiting for me? Like spring loaded ball detents that will try to find a new home. This is the early tranny with the shifter that overhangs the bell housing. The bottom of the shift mechanism is exposed when there is no bell housing attached.

 

The transmission shifts but it is very stiff so I'm sure the shift pivot needs cleaned and lubed and the sludge needs to be drained from the box and some cleaning performed.

 

Any advise would be appreciated.

I believe the OD of the pilot shaft is .750 on my 38 trans.

I have several of the trans that are in poor condition, so I installed a 5 speed Ranger trans.............

[David Strieb]

This is a T86 Borg Warner OD which was an option for some mid to late '30's mopars, the top pic  shows what what's under the top cover, same as the '35 to '39 plymouth car floor shifted 3 speed.

Edited September 26, 2014 by David Strieb

[ROB-PA]

Thanks David. I'll be pulling the cover once I finish cleaning the exterior, maybe tonight.

 

Thanks to Robert Horne also. I mic'd the pilot shaft after I cleaned it up and I have about 0.743" to 0.744". I think I can live with that. There is still some minor pitting but I figure that will just help to retain some lube I've been mulling over the T5 conversion also but I figured I'd like to try to keep it original if I can.

[Robert Horne]

Rob I have several of the 3 speed trans if you need anything, they are free.

 

I give up on them after 20 years, and adapted/installed a 87 Ranger trans,

 

working great so far...