The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 3 speed manual transmission with O/D questions

I finally located a 3 speed manual transmission with O/D that I am hoping will work with my 1959 1/2 ton truck that currently has a 3 speed manual on the column.

It is out of a 1957 Chevy car. Actually I am contemplating buying both the engine and transmission that came out of the car. The engine is an inline 6 cylinder. The car also has a 3 speed on the column shifter.

My questions are:

(1) - Should the transmission that came out of a car work in the truck?

(2) - What will I have to have in addition to just the transmission? The pull cable and handle comes with the transmission I am buying and I noticed the carb. had a 4 prong female plug receiver mounted to it on the engine I was purchasing. I also noticed the male end of the plug on a wiring harness mounted to the firewall on the car that the engine and transmission came out of. The guy said I could have it also.

(3) - Was the 3 speed manual with O/D transmission a factory option for the 1959 trucks?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

To answer the questons;
(1) Yes, a car trans will work just fine. In fact, the one in my '55 3200 is from a '55 Station Wagon.
(2) Definetly the cable if you can get it. You'll also want that bracket ans switch that's on the carb if you don't get the engine. That switch is the kickdown, and is difficult and expensive to find in the aftermarket, as it isn't being reproduced. The harness not so much, as the Truck specific version is readily available new. You'll also want to get the relay, if it's present on the car.
(3) Yes, overdrive was an option.

Thanks LONGBOX55!!

What activates the kickdown?

Where is the relay located and what does it look like?

the kickdown switch is tripped by the throttle, that's why it mounts on the carb, even if you don't take the engine, he won't need it without the trans the relay is the can on the trans case

be aware that the opening on the car bellhouse is slightly smaller than the truck one so the front bearing retainer on the trans is slightly smaller, take care on installing it

Bill [#2]

How does the kickdown switch get tripped by the throttle?

Here's the manual page from the '55 Truck manual showing the wiring diagram. The relay is nothing too special, I used a 30 amp rated headlamp relay on mine since I didn't get the original with the transmission.

There's a tab on the throttle rod that contacts the kickdown switch. It essentially shuts off the power to the overdrive, and energizes a second winding in the solenoid to pull the pawl in, disengaging overdrive to allow for use of 3rd gear as a "passing" gear.

Thanks guys. I think I understand it pretty well now. I just hope it all goes in with ease.