transmission option for 1951 dodge?

[Alexander]

What were the factory transmission options for a 1951 dodge coronet?

currently its has a Gyromatic. I am considering to switch to a 3 speed manual with OD.

was that an option back in 51 for the dodge coronet?

Thanks

Alex

[Tony_Urwin]

George Ashe built a 3-speed overdrive for me to replace the Tip-Toe transmission in my DeSoto. He used a longer input shaft from a later V8 to compensate for the longer bellhousing on my (formerly) fluid-drive DeSoto. He also furnished me with a longer throw-out bearing.

George's number is (814) 354-2621. He lives in Pennsylvania. Once a year , he sets up a booth in a car show in New York, which should be pretty close to you, Alex.

George is the guy to see about transmissions. I have seen the speedometer in his '50 Plymouth hit 65 mph in 1st gear overdrive. Not something I would ever try in one of my cars, but George sure knows how to build 'em.

[PatS....]

You should be able to replace the fluid coupling and transmission with a regular clutch and 3 speed/OD without a problem as long as you can find those parts.

You could also leave the fluid coupling and clutch intact and bolt on a regular 3 speed. My '49 Chrysler Royal came that way from the factory.

[Alexander]

Thank you guys for all the input. Looks like its very doable. However how factory correct would it be? was it a factory option to have a 3 speed with OD in this car?

I am trying to be factory correct with this one.

Thanks

Alex

[Alexander]

Tony thanks-

I actauly got the idea from Ache when I spoke to him that day when you pick up your unit. However he did not know if the OD unit was a factory option for the 51 coronet.

Alex

[PatS....]

The OD could have been a dealer option on almost any Mopar, so in that sense it would be correct.

Many correct options of the era were not factory installed, radio antenna being one...they were mounted in many locations and all would be correct.

[Tony_Urwin]

The dry clutch and overdrive transmission were supposedly an option for my '52 DeSoto, Alex, but I have never seen one without the Tip-Toe transmission.

I changed mine because I didn't care for either fluid drive or the M-6 transmission. They are historically significant and make for fine parade cars, but they just aren't any fun to drive!

I drove my DeSoto for awhile in the stock configuration, but I felt like the old white-haired lady holding up traffic.

[Dodgeb4ya]

In 1969 I had my 1951 Ply up to 5200 rpm In 1st gear @ 30MPH W/ 4.30 rear end, OD, Mallory dist. and 1957 Ply head - ported and polished block intake and head. Was 17 ------young and dumb. I know the RPM because I had my "Dixco Tach". Still have the same car today, Last year got it running after 18 years in storage- my 8 track panasonic deck just needed a rubber band to play my old Doors tape! Now it too works after all these years! I`m goin to try the 5200 RPM again to keep up W/George. Of course I`m in 1st gear low low - not 1st OD, I`d race him any day! Bob

[Alexander]

I never had the privilege of driving a Gyromatic. I had no idea, they are so slow, and sluggish. I figured since they were in production for some time, they must of been accepted by the public.

I am so on the fence with this discussion. The 51 coronet vert that I have is very very rare (only 550 were made from 49-51). It appears to be a very valued car by hard core collectors. For that reason I trying to keep her as original and correct as possible. However at the same time I want to enjoyed the car.

Tony shoot me a few pics of your 52 desoto. I would love to see it.

Thanks

Alex

[Young Ed]

Alex

Dad and I swapped a 3spd with OD into this dodge. The owner found a 3spd from a fluid drive car and we switched that input shaft into the OD tranny. The OD was only about 1/4 inch length difference so the driveshaft was used as is. Only difficulty was he had to modify the shift linkage to fit and make a little extension piece for the ebrake cable. This car was a gyromatic when new and we suspect it was bad from day one. Car has very low mileage probably because it never drove well enough to accumulate miles!

[Alexander]

Ed thats a neat looking Dodge. Any chance you might have a pic of how you did the linkage?

Thanks

ALex

[Young Ed]

It is nice. Thats the original paint from 51. Sorry we didn't take any pictures of the project. The owner brought us about 12 sets of linkage from the junkyard. Dad started with ones that were closest and then bent them to function. Supposedly the cheap 51s could have had a 3spd from the factory so if you could find this linkage you wouldn't have to bend anything.

[PatS....]

I wonder if I'm going to have the linkage issues going the other way, from 3 speed to M6?

I guess I'll have to hang on to this DeSoto parts car untill I find out...it came with an M6

You learn something here every day!!!