transmission · FF-0556

Why are the snap rings on an early Ford transmission so hard to remove?

The original snap rings are sharp on one end only. Today's snap rings are sharp on both ends, so a pair of pliers can grab them and spread them; on these the snap ring pliers just slipped off. The plan is to cut the old rings off, throw them away and put on late-model rings that are sharp on both sides.

Expert

Ed Smith

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

snap rings

Applicable scope

1946 Ford three-speed column-shift transmission from a customer whose Flathead Ed is also building