Transmission rebuild--A Winter Project?

[Joe Flanagan]

This winter, when it's too cold outside for me to do body work, I want to keep my project going, so I'm thinking of rebuilding the transmission on my 49 Special Deluxe. I plan to get an overdrive unit for it as well, but the existing transmission has at least 135K on it and who knows what condition it's in. The plan calls for an updated rear end, too, like many of you have done.

So, has anyone done this and if so, are there any tips or advice? The unit is already out of the car.

[Guest Nile Limbaugh]

I've torn down several 3 speed transmissions and have found very little wrong with any of them. My 37 with, I'm guessing, over 100K on her needed only new gaskets and seals and a thrust washer at each end of the countershaft. Standard transmissions will usually outlast several engine rebuilds and are more of a weekend job than a winter project. Good luck!

[bob westphal]

In my early days of restoring cars I used to automatically rebuild the gear boxes. However, like Nile I found very little to be wrong with them. Usually the only thing that needed replacing was bearings and gaskets/seals. Now I just relpace the seals and only the gaskets that appear to be a problem. After the last six restorations I haven't found any gear box that was noisy and didn't work fine (this includes a fluid drive). This is especially true with the third member. I suggest to tackle a gear box only if it is giving trouble. If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Bob

[Joe Flanagan]

OK, thanks gentlemen. Just trying to get the voice of reason here. Sounds like a simple enough thing. I'll post pics as I'm doing the job.

[Normspeed]

Nile, why don't you stop over to my place next weekend?

Standard transmissions will usually outlast several engine rebuilds and are more of a weekend job than a winter project. Good luck!

[blueskies]

OK, thanks gentlemen. Just trying to get the voice of reason here. Sounds like a simple enough thing. I'll post pics as I'm doing the job.

Joe-

I rebuilt my threespeed with overdrive. It wasn't the nightmare that I thought it would be... There's a section on my site, www.50plymouth.com, detailing what I did if you want to have a look.

Pete

[Guest Nile Limbaugh]

I stop over and give you a hand if you weren't so blinking far from north Georgia!!