The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 3 Speed w/OD

I understand that a 3 speed with OD was offered in years 58-59 years. Are these transmissions fairly common? I have a 1953 1/2 ton 3100 and want to swap it out for an open drive train from a 55-62. With the overdrive mated with the 3.90 axle, will this give me good highway cruising speeds around 70? Also, was the OD unit offered these years mechanical or electrical? I have never seen one so my fear is that they are rare and very expensive if one is available. Thanks

i found a complete set for $300, exact condition unknown, but if you follow this link from a few days ago, you'll get the answers to some of your questions https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=578169#Post578169

I have been running ovedrives over 45 years and I like them. They are not very plentiful, but they around. Ford used a lot more od than GM. I like 3.90 gears in town with the overdrive locked out, and of course the od cuts your rpms at highway speeds. Read the above referenced posts. If you have more questions, just ask.

I vote for the 3 speed od as well. I recently put one in my 1966 GMC with 305E v6 and am very happy with it. The three speeds came in two versions, the early ones prior to 1966 were unsynchronized first gear and had 4 bolt side covers. The 1966 to late 60's had a synchro first and a seven bolt side cover. I have the later model tranny. Yes, it has an electric solenoid that activates the OD. Here are the original manuals on the tranny if you would like to read up on them. They come up on Craigslist and E bay fairly often. The only problem is they are expensive to ship. You should have the seller remove the solenoid and governor switch if you decide to ship. UPS broke the governor on mine in transit and wouldn't pay for it even though it was insured. These two items stick out from the tranny when attached and are prone to breakage in shipment. Here's the link. Let us know if you need more info.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

http://speedprint.com/deves50/overdriveindex.php

I have the entire unit in my 55 2nd. All the electronic components work and has the carburator bracket w/kickdown switch. I wanted it to work the way it was designed. The truck has the original 235 that was rebuilt this past May. It works beautifully. I am thinking of selling the truck to concentrate on my 1953. The 1953 will have a floor 4 speed in it. I am thinking of changing the rear gears with those from Patrick's. I may pull it out and put the original 3 speed back in. I don't use the OD. The truck is used for weekend errands and driving to church. No highway driving. Send me a message if you are interested.

Thanks guys, would the OD's available through the late 60's bolt right in to my existing torque tube closed system or do I need to go to a open drivetrain offered after 54. I assume all of these units are on the column and not on the floor. Installing one sounds complicated after initially reading the articles on how they work. Are there any manuals out there that would help?

Their was an aftermarket over-drive available for the tork tube Chevys ,I have seen them at the Hershey fall meet,
Installing a original over-drive in the truck or car that it was originally available for is not really that hard of a job manuals are out there just follow them , BILL

Oldbluetruck,I sent you a PM

sclor - thanks for the manuals. but even though i already have adobe, that adobe/speedprint tries to load but has errors and goes into lock-up loops. is there another way to access the documents?

Try this link. You don't need Adobe. http://www.tocmp.com/manuals/trans/Borg-Warner%20Overdrive/index.htm I think its for Studebaker, but they all work the same.