flathead 3 speed

Got the 59AB and 3 speed mounted on a fixture to run it before it get around to putting it in the 34, it's on casters so I can move it around the shop and either into or out of the way, but anyway, here's my problem. The trans has no lever in it (shifter), and looking down into the top of it I see the 2-3 fork and block looks like it is going to work fine, but the 1-R block is listing towards Covington's outhouse.... it is clear over against the left hand side of the lever tower. I took the cover off and couldn't get it to rock over any closer to center. And the block the lever engages is a lot higher in the tower than the 2-3 block. Lacking a lever, I can't determine if this is normal, or if somebody has switched out some forks from a different trans and I need to get a different shifter cover. Anybody been there, broke that, or got any suggestions? I can get neutral OK, and both forks and all the shifting mechanism seems to be fine, the detents click in and the whole works just seems OK, but without a lever I just don't know if those forks and blocks look right in there.

Not up on any of that stuff. There was a guy in the club when I first joined that redid those but I'm not sure if I could even get a hold of him anymore. Doug Ice or Jeff may know. I can't even remember his name. He lived over by the Birdguy. Doug or Jeff?

Spread the word, if a flattie 3 comes around, put my name on it. Let me know- thanks Reb

You mean Mac Van Pelt?

John B wrote:You mean Mac Van Pelt?

That's him John. Thanks Any idea how to get a hold of him?

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/

When I was up there that time at Da Bird mans (that fuzzy face so and so) I had to run him to the parts store and we went by where Van Pelt's shop is. I can drive you to it but can't explain it.

There a contact link on his page. That should do it. Thanks John.

I can drive you to it but can't explain it.


275 to rt 32 exit 63a first red light make a left over by one of the chilli (gold star maybe) places if hes in the same shop....

Yea! What Riggs said.....

OK- Now- uh .... OK

There is a contact link on this page> http://www.vanpeltsales.com/

He may be able to answer any questions you have.

Thanks for your help, looks real informative and just what I'm looking for.

The van pelt link didn't get me far, but it is a good source for O/H parts, got that bookmarked. What I did find, was looking through my bookshelf I saw my '53 Motors manual, and lo and behold, there is a view of a flatmotor 3 speed, and the lever has a ball on the bottom to run one rail, and a "jingus" a little ways up further to engage the block on the other rail. So that answers my question, but I still need one, so the search begins. And now I know.

I think he moved from that building and have not seen him at the Springfield swapmeet last year so I dont know if he is still dealing with those trans.

Research has been ongoing with this application. I have done a lot of reading, and I have come up with this. A Ford toploader can be done quite easily with the right parts (ain't that the truth with anything!). I have read that a toploader can be used by taking the bell off a 48-ish F-6, this is supposed to do 2 things.... 1) supposedly fits the back of the 59AB block which I have, and 2) the pilot hole in the back of the bell supposedly fits the front bearing retainer on the 4 speed. Plus this bell has a TOB fork in it, the only thing left to do is line up the 4 speed on the bell and drill the holes, trim a bit off the end of the input shaft, and take the flathead clutch off, chuck the 1 3/8 spline disc and install a 1 1/16 spline disc. Hopefully I can get to this soon and let you know how it all worked out. If anyone sees a problem with this info, feel free to speak up and "redirect" me before I tear up a bunch of stuff- but hey, no better way to learn, right?