Hello HAMB. I need a new cluster gear for what I think is a 1953 passenger Ford 3 speed with R10 OD. The main drive is 16 tooth. Was hoping you guys and gals could point me in the right direction in terms of documentation, cross references, hacks, etc. Just so many variants in the parts lists I've seen (referring to year ranges, OD vs non-OD, tooth count etc). Are the cluster gears not generally interchangeable for these 50’s sideloaders with overdrive? I know the correct replacement are 1A-7113 and B4A-7113-A and that they are interchangeable but is something from 56+ interchangeable like B7A-7113-A? Are the applications tooth count specific? Or does the tooth count just change the gear ratios? Any advice would be appreciated! Mike
The cluster must match up to the rest of the gears. If you put a cluster in for different ratio gears nothing would mesh correctly except 3rd gear which is 1:1 on all of them.
You need to match up with the correct gear. If it’s a 1951-54 Ford transmission (overdrive or standard 3 speed doesn’t matter in this case) it should have the 1A-7113 cluster gear (27-23-17-13) or the B4A-7113 cluster gear (27-23-17-14) which are interchangeable with each other. Both gears ride on the 3/4” diameter countershaft with 44 loose needle bearings inside. Both have the two prongs on the small end (rear face) for the two piece rear thrust washers. Beginning midway or so for 1955 and newer, Ford went with the large diameter countershaft, which meant a larger bore in the cluster gear. The rear thrust washer was different as well. None of the 55 and newer gears can work in the 1949-54 cases without major modifications. We have a small supply of the 51-54 cluster gears on hand at our shop.