What transmission am I missing?

[WatchingWolf]

I have found many questions about the "best transmission" to use. Here is my problem... I am missing a transmission and don't know what it was. Here are my notes so far...

1950 Dodge Wayfarer

flat head 6

no extra wires off the carb

no "safety clutch" imprint on the clutch petal

the 'torque converter" is still on the car as well as the upper portion if the bellhousing I think.... (this is my first vintage mopar )

I want to get a transmission into this car as soon as possible. I am not a purest and am not concerned with correct vintage at this point, I want to get my car driving. What transmission(s) should I be looking for that will be a bolt in?

Also, what damage could I do by running my engine without a transmission in place? I have turned it with the starter and gotten spark but have limited the run time to a splash of fuel in the carb. Can I get the fuel pump primed and tune the engine while I search for and install the transmission?

thanks,

Wolf

also~ I am located in Northern Wisconsin and in search of the above listed transmission. Does anyone have one for sale, barter or trade in my area?

[Normspeed]

Nice looking car. Welcome to the forum. I don't know Dodges that well, but I'll bet someone here will know what's missing.

As far as running it with the trans out, if the clutch assembly is still in the bellhousing, if the clutch pedal were pushed the disk could move off center real fast, giving you quite an out of balance situation. Without the transmission mainshaft keeping the disk centered, only the pressure plate is holding it at the centered position.

[PatS....]

Welcome to the forum.

The fact that there is a "torque converter" on the car means you have a "Fluid Drive" car. The fact that there are no wires on the carb mean that the car likely came with a standard 3 speed column shift transmission.

The simplest solution is to find a regular 3 speed standard shift Mopar transmission for that era of car.

The fluid coupling can remain in place and the regular standard transmission bolts on behind it as normal. The only thing you will notice while driving the car afterwards id that the clutch can be let out without the car stalling

As far as I know big Dodge, Chrysler Royal and base model DeSoto's 49-50 standards will fit. There may be other years that will fit as well.

These cars also had the M-6 but I don't think you would be happy with that and it's not entirely a bolt in as a 3 speed would be.

[james curl]

The three speed transmissions from a non fluid drive car will have a shorter input shaft and will not work on a fluid drive unless the input shaft is changed for one from a fluid drive. I have been told that the only difference between fluid drive transmissions and non fluid drive transmissions is the input shaft and that they are interchangable.

[Young Ed]

I can verify that. Dad and I put an OD into a fluid drive car by doing the input shaft swap.

[Tony Cipponeri]

Hey Watching Wolf, If I was you I would spend a little extra money and go for an O/D transmission. Tony C

[greg g]

I have a three speed from a 48 dodge in my parts stash. It has the required longer input shaft also. Aother possibility if you and do some machine work is to adapt the OD 4speed from late 80's volare/aspen. These were A 833 transmission with a .76 od included in the gearset. You need to find one with the 5 + inch iput bearing retainer. The machining will be to modify the mounting area, and the input shaft. And if you're going to do that you might just as well get and adapter and put a BW T5 5speed in.

I life in central NY so if you cant find something locally let me know via PM.

[mackster]

the T5 off an older S-10 with the bolt on kit they sell nowdays, will be the best bet if you want it to drive nice without breaking your bank..The OD units are expensive (at least for me) that will be the way to go! nice car by the way, I am glad you are keeping the flattie. it is going to be really nice ride. any plans for a dual carb set up and dual exhaust??????

OOH and welcome to the forum...

[WatchingWolf]

I like the T5 idea, easy to get, easy to service. Are any drive shaft mods required?

The car is a nice 20 footer. The fuzzy picture help. The color is Royal Blue Rust-oleum (2 quart cans at $7.95 each) and applied with a 2 1/2" roller. The previous owner had power sanded the car in 2003 and then tarped it until now. I don't have the time to redo the sand down right now so I just pressure washed her good, knocked down the worst of it with a $8.99 palm sander and rolled on the blue. I refuse to own a "pretty" death trap. Lets get safe and sound first then worry about nice paint.

Heres a before shot

[Normspeed]

That sure came out nice. I like the body style even better with the rear gravel shields removed. You've found the #1 resource for old Mopars. If you've spent any time lurking, you know this place is a goldmine of knowledge. Hope you do stay with the flattie, they're fun and forgiving motors.

[Don Coatney]

I like the T5 idea, easy to get, easy to service. Are any drive shaft mods required?

If you elect to go with a T-5 make sure you tell the kit seller that you will be using a fluid drive bell housing. There may be some transmission input length issues as well as pilot bushing,bearing,stub shaft issues. With a T-5 you will lose the driveshaft emergency brake and with a fluid drive a good working parking brake is a must as the fluid drive will not allow you to park on a hill with the transmission in gear. So a modern differential swap will most likely be in order so you can use rear wheel emergency brakes. A driveshaft modification or replacement will be in order too.

I have installed a T-5 in my car and in my opinion that is the way to go. However I did not use a kit. I have not heard from anyone who is actually driving with one of the new T-5 kits installed.

[james curl]

I found a junk yard that had several old Plymouths. I ordered a Plymouth bellhousing and flywheel to install on the fluid drive 41 Dodge engine that I installed in my P15. I gave the transmission and fluid drive unit away but still have the bellhousing. It would appear to me if you used the Plymouth standard transmission parts you would need to move the rear engine mounts foward because the standard dry clutch bellhousing is shorter than the fluid drive bell housing. Don Coatney modified his standard Plymouth bellhousing to accept the T-5 transmission he installed.

[Lou Earle]

If I were in your position - fluid drive with no transmission and no emergency brake I would go with a George Asche rebuilt overdrive

Here are a few advantages:

1- no alterations to anything- gear shift levers, drive shaft, clutch, anything!

2 instillation is quite easy - about 3 hours-remember u are removing nothing.

3 u now have an emergency brake to hold it - u need that - it is a necessity with fluid drive.

I have 2 overdrives from Asche and they are great in a 47 and 46 Plymouth. I do not have kick down on carb but switch on gearshift so I can change to overdrive whenever.

I also have a t-5(remember it needs to come from an s-10 otherwise the gearshift is way back- so not so easy to find now) installed in my A model( pinto engine). It is great but a ton of work and mods. I have seen Dons and it is a great machine but a lot of work to get it in.

The only thing is remember the relays and solenoids are 6 volt - if u are going 12 volt let George or any other supplier know so he can use 12 volt stuff.

Believe me th cost and time will be cheaper.

I am putting a t/;5 5 speed floor shift in a 50 fastback- making it a bit of a hot rod- have an adapter plate etc but remember I must now cut drive shaft , install front yoke on drive shaft and later on rear when i get new rear end. Also I am not really happy about not having an emergency brake in the interim.

Whatever u do good luck

Lou

[WatchingWolf]

As far as I know big Dodge, Chrysler Royal and base model DeSoto's 49-50 standards will fit.

Can anybody confirm this? I've decided to go with a standard shift 3 speed for now.

[greg g]

as previously mentioned the only difference would be the length of the input shaft and perhaps the spline count as later years may have had more and therfore finer splines So if some one could post that information frm a trans that is laying loose, you could then go from there.