The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Old Dominion Stovebolt Society (MD, VA, West VA, DC, DE and PA) Newbie with a 1957 Stepside in Central VA

"I just acquired a 1957 Chevy stepside shortbed with the 235 straight six and 3 speed column shift with overdrive. The previous owner told me about the overdrive and said that the OD is engaged by pulling a lever or handle in the dash."

FALSE. You might have misheard him if he does know about these transmissions. Pulling the handle OUT in the dash puts you in DIRECT DRIVE. Direct drive is just like having a regular 3 speed, you get engine braking and just the three speeds. When the handle is IN that is the OD mode...if you have the truck set up like it came from the factory a governor switch engages and disengages at about 28 mph. If the OD didn't come from the factory you more than likely have a situation where an owner has either done a faithful true installation with all the wiring, kick-down and relay,etc. or installed it and left out a few pieces (like I have with mine). Use the search function and read pages upon pages of overdrive information to familiarize yourself. Learn as much as you can before using the OD because depending on how it was set up a person can unwittingly destroy parts that are harder and harder to come by.