Lumpy Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 I've searched the forum quite a bit, but have a couple of questions, hope I'm not beating any dead horses here. On the overdrive transmissions, how hard are they to find these days? Or is it a matter of...searching for and finding one? And, do they use the same shift linkage as a standard 3-speed? Or does the shift linkage (for a three on the tree) have to be re-engineered? Is there no such thing, at a reasonable price, as a small overdrive unit that mounts behind the transmission, or between transmission and rear end, which would have two "gears", direct drive and overdrive? Seems there used to be such things, but all my research only turns up mega-expensive $$$$ stuff when I look for such a unit. On the front end springs, to change them, is it really as simple as dropping the lower A-arm, and disconnecting the sway bar? I'm a fair mechanic, but I've never worked on a coil spring front end. Torsion bars, 4X4's, yes. Coil springs...no. If anyone wants to give a short tutorial on that, or direct me to one, that would be great. Thanks in advance. This seems to be a great forum/website. ken. Quote
austinsailor Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 You can find overdrives with very little effort. It's the price that is the stopping point. If you're willing to pay the price you could have one today. Column shift linkage is the same, they swap directly. If you have a floor shift conversion from back in the day, they have a few differences due to where they mount on the transmission. I can't answer for all cars, but on my 40 Dodge, I was able to remove the bolts that mount the lower inner A frames to the car frame, then let it down with a floor jack. I could put the springs back and raise it back up with the floor jack. No spring compressor was used. Gene Quote
bob westphal Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 I've searched the forum quite a bit, but have a couple of questions, hope I'm not beating any dead horses here. On the overdrive transmissions, how hard are they to find these days? Or is it a matter of...searching for and finding one? And, do they use the same shift linkage as a standard 3-speed? Or does the shift linkage (for a three on the tree) have to be re-engineered? Is there no such thing, at a reasonable price, as a small overdrive unit that mounts behind the transmission, or between transmission and rear end, which would have two "gears", direct drive and overdrive? Seems there used to be such things, but all my research only turns up mega-expensive $$$$ stuff when I look for such a unit. On the front end springs, to change them, is it really as simple as dropping the lower A-arm, and disconnecting the sway bar? I'm a fair mechanic, but I've never worked on a coil spring front end. Torsion bars, 4X4's, yes. Coil springs...no. If anyone wants to give a short tutorial on that, or direct me to one, that would be great. Thanks in advance. This seems to be a great forum/website. ken. I notice that you have a Dodge. Does your car have a standard 3 speed or is it a Fluid Drive? If you have a standard tranny, the Plymouth overdrive bolts right on in place of your tail housing. The linkage for most overdrives is usually a cable system that will hopefuly come with the OD. Your original linkage stays where it is. Finding one is another story. Many people buy a whole car to get one. If you can find one out of a car, it will cost you some bucks; usually around $500 or more. I know of someone in my club who has six of them but he only wants to sell them as a lot meaning buy them all or none. Replacing the front springs is fairly simple if you have a good jack and stand system. You won't need any spring compressor unless your spring is a little too long to come out easily when the suspension is swung down. Jack the car up so that you get it as high as you can. You will need enough room to swing the complete suspension down. Remove the wheel and backing plate without disconnecting the brake line and hang it out of the way with wire. Unbolt the sway bar making sure it is clear of the lower control arm. Remove the shock. Remove the four bolts that fasten the upper controll arm to the top of the frame. Swing the whole assembly out and down. The spring should either fall out or easily removed. Insallation is of coarse in reverse of removal. The fist time I did this it took about an hour each side but got a lot faster the more times I did it. Quote
Lumpy Posted January 20, 2014 Author Report Posted January 20, 2014 Wow thanks guys...you rock! Well my Dodge came out of the factory as a fluid drive, but somewhere back in the day someone converted it back to a standard three speed. You can also see where they sectioned the shift rods, and welded them back together. But she still has the "Fluid Drive" rear bumper. I forget, as I have not been under the car for a while, but I believe the cross brace for the tranny was cut and moved forward, or something like that. One of the cool things about my Dodge is that it's never been off the road...never stored in a barn, left in a field or parked for years behind a house, etc., she's been in continuous use/on the road since new. It was owned by a teenager for a year or so, probably the most traumatic experience for the old girl...and that's why it has no interior to speak of at the moment. But I don't know what that has to do with springs and overdrives....!!! Okay, thanks again.. ken Quote
martybose Posted January 20, 2014 Report Posted January 20, 2014 I notice that you have a Dodge. Does your car have a standard 3 speed or is it a Fluid Drive? If you have a standard tranny, the Plymouth overdrive bolts right on in place of your tail housing. (snip) Not true! There is an extra hole in the back of the OD transmission so that the longer shift rail can push the OD section out of overdrive when you shift into reverse. You have to have the entire OD transmission, you can't just change the tailshaft. Marty 1 Quote
austinsailor Posted January 21, 2014 Report Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) You could have an OD today, buy this car: http://rockford.craigslist.org/cto/4292057037.html Keep the OD, part out and scrap the rest. Or this transmission for $750: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/4259832917.html Or, get a car with a Hemi and an overdrive, $2000: http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/4265756464.html Gene Edited January 21, 2014 by austinsailor Quote
Lumpy Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Posted January 22, 2014 Wow! Yeah...Austinsailor did mention that the price would be the stopping point! The Desoto is pretty far out, but I have a 331 hemi, with trans...some kind of semi-auto...that's been taking up space in my garage for 15 years. Then I traded it to my son to get rid of it, but then I just became his storage unit for it, and there she still sits. I like how the seller of the first car shows a picture of a 2-door (with the most horrid tail pipes I've ever seen) to illustrate what could be done with a 4-door. Well...I guess it "could" be done. One could weld the rear doors shut and fill the seams in with bondo. (JUST KIDDING) Thought he was stretching the point a bit. At $750 plus $200+ for shipping, and in unknown condition....I don't think I want one bad enough. $1000.00 is certainly a stopping point...kind of like a brick wall. It sure would be "nice" to have an OD, but Lumpy and I can live without it for a while. !!! But I think I have a much more clear picture/idea of what to keep my eyes and ears open for locally. But thanks for posting that....interesting to say the least. ken Quote
austinsailor Posted January 22, 2014 Report Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) In all fairness, you can take your time and find one cheaper. A couple years ago someone posted an ad like I did for a $350 one 100 miles from my house. 2 hours later it was in my trunk. Another time I passed on a 54 Dodge hemi with an OD for $250. It was 4 hours away and I'd just made a long trip. I regretted it, called later and it had gone to the shredder. Sickening. Keep your eye open. Gene Edited January 22, 2014 by austinsailor Quote
Lumpy Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Posted January 23, 2014 Absolutely, my need is not great for an OD, just something that would be nice. A nice upgrade, but not necessary. So yeah, I'll just keep my eyes and ears open for one, and no big deal if I don't find one for a good price, meaning somewhere on the low end of what they generally go for. Sure can't wait to start driving the Lump again, hopefully winter will start to abate in about a month. Actually drove it to work on the 15th of this month, which is very unusual to have a nice enough day, and clear enough roads to do that in the middle of January. I know, I'm sure the car drove through many a winter back in the day, but she deserves to be pampered a bit now I think. !!!! ken Quote
Young Ed Posted January 23, 2014 Report Posted January 23, 2014 Your best bet is to find one still in the car. I got one last summer at a junkyard for cheap. I did have to pull it myself..... Quote
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