Thanks, I'm in touch with Al.
Only problem is the teeth count: mine is 32-24-19-14 but his books tell 32-25-19-14.

32-25-19-14's are said to be correct for 55-56 Hornets following Google but found nothing for pre-55 Hudsons.

It seems that if you used Al's cluster with the proper intermediate gear to match it, that would solve the problem. Al can probably confirm this.

The gearbox is back in the car and works smoothly with no noises 🙂

Al couldn't help me as all of his clusters for '53 are 32-25-19-14 and didn't confirmed about the intermediate gear.

I ended buying said cluster (32-25-19-14) which is used in some Ford passenger cars and Studebakers. Part #T86E-8.
Then the matching 2nd speed gear #AT86E-11N. That's all !

I got the cluster from ebay for a rather good price (90$ NOS) and the 2nd speed on truckpartsinventory.com for 30$ (NIB).

Now I'm back to the source of the problem that lead to the cluster damage by the previous owner. Low and reverse can be engaged easily while engine is cold. Once hot I can't engage or disengage them until I stop the engine. Second or high speed can be engaged.
My guess is a sticky clutch when hot: hope a flush with acetone will solve it.
Would you guys confirm ?

Thib

I assume that the clutch has enough fluid?

I don't know to be honest. I have no history regarding the clutch so it can even be 20 years old. I'll rinse and fill with Dexron III because it have to be done anyway.

Once you've rinsed the clutch with acetone, the clutch should only have but 5 1/2 oz.of fluid installed

Yes indeed.
Just to be sure, can the trans bearings be involved in my problem ? I did not noticed any abnormal play but a little one though.

If you have one bearing that's a little rough, I'd surely go ahead and replace it while I was into the trany.

Yup, it is was the gears Like it sounded in the first place. Removing the floor plate and pulling from there is the easiest for me. Love those newer ones with studs in the housing and nuts on the tranny from the outside. Way easier. Surprised the shaft seal was not leaking all over the place too. What is the fluid in the tranny? looks like it has lubriplate in it, or water mixed in? Could have caused the original failure, or the fact that the clutch is dragging when hot too. It is a comon problem with low or improper fluid or dirty clutch surface. If cleaning and minimum adjustment does not help. You need a new one. Also easier on the newer ones with removable tranny from housing first. If you do replace, remember to replace the throwout bearing and the pilot bearing too. Not that expensive, and smart to do, once it is all out anyway. Make sure the tranny fluit is good old 90 wt. like the diff.. Not Out board motor lower unit stuff.
Good luck, Bobby 😉

I'd love to see the photos of the trans removal. I'll be doing this on my 50 Commodore in order to change a throw out bearing.
Pat

Patrick, you do know that our on-line technical library (on the website) contains shop manuals, right? I don't know if these will deal with the info you're looking for. (Then again, perhaps you already have a manual)

Jon, Thanks for the heads up on the manuals. Yes, since purchasing my 50 Commodore 6, I've joined the club, read through the online manuals and have been waiting for about 6 weeks on hardcopies from the club.

I'll be changing the throw out bearing soon.
Pat