3spd Synchronized 1st Gear

[PutPut6]

I'm a little confused as to which 3 speeds had a synchronized 1st gear. I know the 2.77's didn't but I've heard conflicting stories as to if the 3.03's did. In my Mustang, the 3.03's 1st gear is not synchronized, and the original manual say's that 6 cylinder 3.03's didn't have synchronized 1st gears. My mustang restoration book says that 3.03's are fully synchronized and I have heard from other places online that 3.03's are fully synchronized. Am I just mistaken? Are only 3.03's put behind V-8's fully synchronized?

 

[Guest]

Count the number of bolts on the top cover of the tranny.

4-bolts - NO 1st gear synchro
9-bolts - 1st gear synchro

I have a further explaination, but will wait to see what you say to this in order to reduce confusion.

 

[PutPut6]

My transmission has 9 bolts on the top cover. I made a mistake about my original manual, I was thinking of something else. It doesn't say sixes don't have fully synchronized transmissions. But, mine won't shift into 1st while moving. Is there something wrong with my trans? Sorry this probably sounds dumb but I am new with this stuff and I don't have a lot of help since my dad is in Korea serving his country.

Thanks for the help

 

[Guest]

The 9-bolt top cover tranny used on the 6's was the same as the one used behind the 8 except for the fact that it had a lower 1st gear (makes up for the less powerful 6). It should be fully synchronized, so I would guess that there is something wrong with yours.

Lesson:

The 2.77 and 3.03 refer to the input shaft length, not a 'transmission code' or part number. The only 2.77s were used from 1960 to 1965. They have a 4-bolt top cover. In 1966, Ford replaced the 2.77 with a 3.03. However, this 3.03 looks just like the 2.77 except for the fact that the input shaft was longer. It still had a non-synchronized 1st gear and had a 4-bolt top cover. The real 3.03 as we all refer to it was used from 76 on and has a fully synchronized 1st gear and a 9-bolt top cover.

We all (myself included) refer to the '66 as a 2.77 because it is easier to recognize it as that with the 4-bolt top cover. That is why I always have to ask questions of people when they ask me questions about tranny swaps.

1) How many bolts hold the starter?
2) How many top cover bolts?

3 bolt starter and 4 bolt tranny cover
8 1/2" recessed-style flywheel, official 2.77 (60-65)

2 bolt starter and 4 bolt tranny cover
9" flat flywheel, pseudo 2.77 (66)

2 bolt starter and 9 bolt tranny cover
9" flat flywheel, official 3.03 (67 on)

when I get on a roll
sufficient confusion for all

 

[PutPut6]

Ok, I understand now. Thanks for the help Al. I guess I'll add my non-synchronized 1st gear problem to the list of stuff that's wrong with my car...... Gotta get an engine first though

 

[FALCONAROUND]

When you say the 2.77 refers to the input shaft length I am a bit confused.

I have 3 trannies.

One original to my 144 '61 falcon it weighs about 6 ounces...

One original to a mustang: overall about 2" larger length and girth, wieghs about 35#

One supposed 3.03 which is a couple inches larger even than the mustang 3 spd. and weighs about 55 lbs ....

Is the length of the shaft you speak of the length of the smoothe shaft cover or the shaft it's self, and where do they measure them from if so?

I am checking my 3.03 to make sure it's a 9 bolt 3.03 tomorrow. I do know it fit's a 1967 bellhousing I have with the high starter.

FE

 

[falcon60]

Although the 3.03 does have a longer input than the 2.77,the real measurement referred to is the distance between the centers of the input shaft and the cluster shaft. 3.03" vs 2.77"

Terry

 

[FALCONAROUND]

so this would be an offset measurement then a center out to the side measurement and not a foreward back measurement then...

EIther way I have 3 distinctly diffrent sizes of tranny's.....

 

[fb71]

if you still have a tag on the transmission look for one of three, 3 letter markings;

RUG is non-synchro 1st
RAN and RAT are synchro 1st, one for the I6 and one for the v8, don't remember which.

The RAN/RAT trans became available in the Mustang in late 66/early 67, not sure about other Fords. My 67 I6 conv Stang has synchro 1st, and it was built in Nov of 66.

 

[FALCONAROUND]

Mine is a 9 bolt RAN, I didn't bother with the other #'s it's heavy enough that if it's not a full sync, I'll likely burn the whold sum-biach to the ground..

What flywheel and clutch combo can I get that bolts to my 200 to fit this tranny?


FE

 

[jamyers]

Pretty sure the RAN is the 6-cylinder tranny, and RAT is the 8.

As far as flywheel, all the 200 manual-tranny flywheels for 9-inch clutches ('66 up) are the same, you'll likely have to get the flywheel from a boneyard but ring gears are readily available if needed. The 9-inch clutch flywheels have a flat face, the earlier flywheels are for the recessed-face 8-inch clutch, which is for the dinky 2.77 tranny.

9-inch clutch parts are readily available from your local partsmonkey, you can choose between lever- or diaphragm-style pressure plates and there is a variety of throw-out bearings available.

You'll need the bigger bellhousing for the bigger clutch, anything from '67 up should work no problem. It'll bolt to the upper set of holes in a dual-pattern block.

 

[FALCONAROUND]

Thanks Jaymers, I have the bell with the high starter so I'm goo there. just need the matching yoke and shorter driveshaft now I suppose.