Overdrive Question

[Jim Shepard]

:confused:I've got a 1950 Dodge pickup with a three speed on the column and fluid drive. It's got a 4:11 rearend which I want to keep. Soon it will have a bored-out 230 with dual carbs, cast iron headers/dual smithy's, and a mild cam. I like the 4:11 for driving I do in the foothills around here but, needles to say, the top speed is a little wanting. I'd like to go to an overdrive unit and I've followed with interest all the discussion on the forum regarding such. One of the things I don't understand (of many...) is whether I should be looking for both the overdrive and the transmission, or whether I can use the three speed that's on my truck.

[Young Ed]

The car OD is a unit. Not a bolt on to the standard 3spd. You need the whole thing. That being said a car transmission is a totally different animal then a truck one

[55 Fargo]

You could always go to a 3.73 rearend, but then you compromise on going up hills, but your highway cruisng at 60 mph will have lower rpm.

You could also try the tallest tires possible, this would help lower the rpm, and give you a little more crusing speed.

Since you have a fluid drive and 3 spd trans already, not sure, but could a 3spd R10 OD trans from a fluid drive be installed, that coupled with the 4.11 would give you the best all around performance in hill country.

Hopefully someone with expereince on this will chime in.

Yoou could conatct George Asche, to see if the OD trans can be used with your current fluid drive, bell housing and shifter linkage........Fred

[Reg Evans]

Jim,

With a rebuilt hopped up more powerful 230 engine your truck should not have any trouble pulling hills with 3.54 or even 3.25 rear gears. As you know my 52 1/2 ton with a stock Chrysler 251 has no problem with the hills around here and I have a 3.0 geared rear end. Keep it simple.

[Don Coatney]

A T-5 (GM five speed overdrive) transmission is another option. I installed one in my car and with a 3.55/1 differential I can cruise at 70 MPH with the engine spinning around 2200 RPM's. I can pull all but the steepest of hills without down shifting.

[Plymouthy Adams]

actually the T5 is neither GM or Ford as it is actually Borg Warner..the T5 was first used in Fords 3 years ahead of the GM use of the transmission..

[Don Coatney]

actually the T5 is neither GM or Ford as it is actually Borg Warner..the T5 was first used in Fords 3 years ahead of the GM use of the transmission..

You are correct Tim;

My T-5 did come out of a shiverlay S-10.