The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Engineering on the edge of reality...

I currently have a later model 250 and the original 3 on the tree in my 58 Burb. I am toying with the idea of upgrading to a T-5 trans out of an S-10.

The problem is I'm kind of attached to the nostalgic 3 on the tree. My wild a$$ question is this, "is it possible and how hard would it be to engineer the column and linkage to put 5 on the tree?" I think figuring out how to shift a 5 speed from the column would be the ultimate engineering coup.


Crazy, I know!!

Mercedes had a column shifted four speed which would have had 5 positions and presumably 3 shift rails (I don't know the details)
that might be something to look at frist, might get you the column mounted stuff capable of 6 positions as a start.

One complication I see is the T5 is a top shifted transmission, not a side loader with different levers like most column shifted transmissions are/were. That makes it tricky to mix and match linkage when they're two completely different designs.

I vote for the floor shiftier, always seemed like a much better and simpler design to me.

Grigg

i've seen a modified 5 on the tree, don't remember the tranny type. it was in an old '59 ford, the owner said it was a prototype from ford, and never in production b/c of "people" issues. said it worked, but understood why ford never went through with it.
i'd go with the floor shifter.

daren

I'd recommend an SM319 overdrive. It will bolt right in and use your existing shifter and driveshaft.

I vote for the cool factor of the column shift. That would be impressive. I think you can get there from here with some serious noodling and fab skills.

Had a class in linkage synthesis a million years ago, but haven't used it since:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linkage_%28mechanical%29

Chuck

They exist. I had a mid 90's right drive Mitsubishi micro van with a 5OTT while I was living in New Zealand.

I wouldn't want to give up my column shift either.

Why not look for a BW overdrive unit? You can keep the 3OT and still have OD.

Whitedog;

Your overdrive idea is interesting. What year/make/model vehicle would I be looking for to pick one from? What is the model name/number of the BW overdrive unit?

Thanks!

The model name and number is SM319, as I posted above. They were an option on Chevy cars and trucks from the mid-'50s until ?.

Info about them.

Cletis;

Roger. Got it. I didn't pick up the reference the first time. I'll look into that.

Have you used on in the past? What was your impression?

I have one in my 'burb. I am very happy with it. I can run 70 MPH all day long at just over 2000 RPM.

I found an overdrive from a 55 chevy car on craiglist in Maine. It was delivered by UPS last week .I am ready to install it in my 58 half ton and I will use the wiring diagram that was posted by Cletis. Looking forward to the lower rpm.

Larry, Sorry for not replying sooner. I don't know what years to look for, but the Borg Warner overdrive was an add on kit for 3 speed tranmissions from the 30's to the 60's. It used an electric solenoid to actuate a set of planetaries for a gear reduction.

I spotted a GM model at the scrap yard awhile back. You may have scrounge around some swapmeets to find one, but they are out there.
Try this link: http://www.hydratech.com/pctc/Public_Documents/bwwiring.pdf

An SM319 from a '55-'59 Truck or '55-'57 car are a direct bolt in. If you get one from a '55 Truck w/6 cylinder, the side plate will need to be swapped with either a later one, or one from a '55 V8 truck or any Passenger car version.
Like Cletus, I have one in my '55, and easily run 75 mph @2200 rpm.

Gentlemen;

Thanks for the follow ups. I'll start searching around for one.

6571: How did you find one on CL in Maine? Send me a PM if you have the trick to searching Craig's List without having to go town by town.

Grigg;

You are the man! Thanks!!