Sherman Trans Dilemma

I'm rebuilding the 4-speed trans in a NAA with a Sherman over/under auxiliary trans in it. I have a dilemma that I'm hoping to get some input on.

The trans in question was recently rebuilt by some other guy who must have been on drugs. I've never seen such a messed up gearbox. One gear was installed backwards, as was one seal, another seal looked like it was driven in by a large rock, bearing cages were distorted with a puller, the list goes on and on. I'm going completely re-through it.

When I disassembled the Sherman trans, I found that it was missing the thrust washer between the input and output shafts. I have no idea how long it's been gone - whether this last guy dropped it on the ground or if it has been running for years without it. The washer in question is reference #11, part number C0NN-7C343-B. Washer is unavailable new or used that I can find. I was told I was likely going to have to make my own out of some brass shim stock.

After studying the situation closely, it appears that all this thrust washer does is keep the #10 pilot bearing from rubbing on the front face of the output shaft, since all of the pieces on the output shaft are retained by a snap ring #12, and the input shaft is positively retained by the input ball bearing #7. In other words, this missing thrust washer is not responsible for keeping the two shafts separated.

After doing some research, it appears I'm not the only one who has faced this dilemma: http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ford&th=348787

Anyone here ever left it out and ran without it? What would you do in my shoes? Anyone know where I can find this washer? I've already tried Smith's Old Ford Tractors. He has a lot of Sherman parts, but not that washer.

Thanks

I've had probably half dozen apart and only one still had the washer. Don't know if they were never installed or simply wore down into filings. What I did was go to a bearing supplier and they were able to find something close that worked. The ID you can measure from the shaft. The OD is not critical as long as it is large enough to provide some surface area (larger than the input gear inner bore). The thickness I think is something like 1/8". Somewhere I have the original washer dimensions if I can find them that I got from the one that did have a washer. Evidently it is not an essential part, but I would put one back in since you have it apart.

KCM, thanks for the input. I think I would feel better now leaving it out.

As per the link in my original post, here are the specs for that part number: O.D. 1 1/2", I.D. 13/16", thickness .030-.040". Material note: S.A.E. 660 Bronze or Half Hard Commercial Bronze "90-10"

.030-.040" is awfully thin. I'd be interested to see how that compares to the dimensions you recorded.

Found the info. The washer I took out measured 1.495" OD x 0.818" ID x 0.063" thick. Pretty close to you dimensions and the material sounds correct too. Came out of a Sherman that showed very little wear.

Thanks again. I'll get on the phone tomorrow and see what I can find.

Maybe file out the ID of a McMaster 7814k27 it's 1/16 thick, 1 1/4 OD and 3/4 ID and under 4 bucks. Otherwise if you are machining limited get some thin brass sheet metal and holesaw a hole to get the OD then open up the ID of the slug with a step drill and debur

THANK YOU! I will get this ordered tomorrow - it looks about perfect.