MTFCA Forum

Why did ford only use one bushing on the 26 drive plate ? [and 2 on the earlier ones]
Thank you Larry

The drive plate only has one bush, early or late.

It's the driven gear sleeve on the brake drum that can have 2 or 1 bush.

Unlike the earlier style, the 26-27 drive plate is captured inside the brake drum. The earlier style relied on a lip connection, not as secure. The 26-27 style in effect locks the driving plate to the brake drum. The middle bushing is not as critical as it is in the earlier style.
All that said, many transmison rebuilders omit the middle bushing even on earlier transmissions. Im sure they do this because its damn hard to align three bushings with .002" clearance. Its a problem if there is any slop in the pre 26 brake drum/driving plate connection. You simply cannot expect the 6 bolts that hold the two pieces together to hold alignment.
Bottom line. 3 bushings in pre 26 transmisdions. 2 are acceptable in 26-27 transmissions.

There was a "special" alignment reamer available for doing the brake drum & driven plate reaming as a unit - one indexes the driven plate to the brake drum, ream & finish installation with the index marks lined up. I balance my drum & driven plate as a unit.