3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......

[wc63]

i might start looking for one of these. does anyone know where these trannys are from. it would help if i knew what vehicle i was looking for when i go to the junk yard, instead of looking under any car with a three on the tree.

[Gianyveedub]

They used them on alot of old chevys. They started making the Borg Warner T85ns in the thirties and stop using these transmissions in the late sixties. Bel-airs had them and even some trucks. Hope this helps

[Camper Special]

How long are these units? I have a 3 speed 4 bolt standard that is about 16 1/2" from front at bolt holes to end of nose cone. I'd think I might have to cut down driveshaft for this conversion?

[Gianyveedub]

The unit are approximately 22 inches long. I had to take my driveshaft to South Bay Driveline and have it cut down. I kept the 2 piece shaft instead of finding a 1 piece shaft. I also used a shift kit from mr. gasket: 7667a I think was the part number. I have all day tomorrow to myself and will finally take pics for you guys and gals.

[Gianyveedub]

I made a bracket to hold my on/off button. It is not the greatest, but it will do. I used a spray on bedliner to coat the bare metal.





I didn't have a better place to put the relay, so I put it here.



If you need to see which screw has the wire attached (solenoid) here it is.





And I used a existing hole for the overdrive lockout.

[rainydayforme]

Loving it! So glad to see alot of guys using these things! Would love to know how they are working out for everyone?? I am extremly confident after this tread that I can get mine in,,, I want to know how ya'll like em?? Thanks

[Gianyveedub]

I'm loving mine. Right now I have a straight pipe and the sound is quite loud. So when I get up to freeway speeds and hit the O/D button on mine....nothing but a nice engine drop and lower engine sound. Plus you can go faster than 55 without the engine sounding like it straining.

[NCD1966]

great info in this thread, I been getting the itch to install my OD lately, since my truck is up and running.

[T2vigil]

I just completed the swap from a three speed non-syncro to a syncro in my 64. As stated in an earlier post the transmission are the same length and the only thing I had to do was to utilize the front Yoke from the syncromesh since the non-syncromesh is not compatible. Also if you use the shift linkage from a 66 and up you won't have to do any bending of the shift levers.

[FAT TONY]

how can you tell if it is an overdrive tranny?

[slorio]

Fat Tony:
They are very distinctive with an electric solenoid sticking out the left side of the tranny and an overdrive governor sticking out the right side of the tranny. Here is the early model with four bolt side cover and non synchro first gear:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-3-speed-S...027e08&vxp=mtr

Here's a spot with the original literature where you can read all about them:
http://www.speedprint.com/deves50/overdriveindex.php

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[FAT TONY]

did the muncie transmissions come out with o/d or just the Borg Warner...... went outside hoping to find a governor on the side but its regular .......... by the way whats the difference in the 4 bolt cover and the 7 bolt cover?

[Gianyveedub]

The four bolt cover has a non synchro first and the seven bolt had a synchro'd first. However if you have the o/d unit, when you shift into first, it will pop in just like a synchro'd first.

[FAT TONY]

i have the moncie 7 bolt...... what are the pros and cons of a synchro'd tranny?

[Gianyveedub]

There are none when it come to how it affects the overdrive.

[FAT TONY]

what if i dont have overdrive?

[Gianyveedub]

A synchro'd first was just an evolution of transmission tech and in all ways are superior to the old fashion non synchro'd first.

[WTexChevy]

I hate to resurect an old thread like but... I just installed one of these transmissions in my 63 and I cant get it to go into OD. I'm not sure if I'm having a mechanical issue or I'm just doing it wrong...

Here's what I have done: I have wired the solenoid with a relay (like in above posts) and with the lockout arm all the way out, I have verified the solenoid is engaging. (energized with cover off and plunger moves all the way in and fully compresses it's spring) but when driving, I can't get it into o/d. Any ideas?

I'm scratching my head.

[slorio]

WTexChevy:
Are you using the governor to switch the overdrive? You can unscrew the governor from the tranny and spin it with a drill to see that it closes the contact to ground. Alternatively, you could bypass the governor and temporarily wire a switch inside the cab that would ground it. When working correctly, I can hear the governor click at 27 mph, then I let off of the gas then reapply and the solenoid does the shift.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by WTexChevy

I hate to resurect an old thread like but... I just installed one of these transmissions in my 63 and I cant get it to go into OD. I'm not sure if I'm having a mechanical issue or I'm just doing it wrong...

Here's what I have done: I have wired the solenoid with a relay (like in above posts) and with the lockout arm all the way out, I have verified the solenoid is engaging. (energized with cover off and plunger moves all the way in and fully compresses it's spring) but when driving, I can't get it into o/d. Any ideas?

I'm scratching my head.

Have you tried it with arm in the opposite position?
sam

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by slorio

WTexChevy:
Are you using the governor to switch the overdrive? You can unscrew the governor from the tranny and spin it with a drill to see that it closes the contact to ground. Alternatively, you could bypass the governor and temporarily wire a switch inside the cab that would ground it. When working correctly, I can hear the governor click at 27 mph, then I let off of the gas then reapply and the solenoid does the shift.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

You could permanently wire that switch inside the cab and use it to engage the o/d at ANY speed--AND in any/every gear(can u think 6 speeds?). A good switch to use is an EXTRA dimmer switch mounted right in the floor--to operate with your left foot while keeping hands on steering wheel! Lotsa fun that way: clicking, accelerating, and shifting. Plus: when shifting while trans is NOT in o/d, you do NOT have to use the clutch.
sam

[Gianyveedub]

There are some people who have had problems with there O/D kicking in. First, is the cable pushed in to allow the overdrive solenoid to activate. Second, if you have wired it like I did, when you turn on the overdrive, you have to take you foot off the gas for a good two seconds. When you do you will definitely hear the RPM's drop and you will know it is in overdrive.

[imca racer 3]

i know this is my 1st post and it doesnt pertain to older trucks. i have this 3 speed saginaw with od. i was going to put it in my racecar but didnt know if the overddrive would be worth it. would it be an advantage running it or not. any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. thank you in advance

[Vortech]

Need some help with my 3sp/OD trans. Freed up the lock out cable, but found all of the wiring missing to the governor and solenoid.Also missing the kick down switch. I'd like to set this up w/o the kick-down switch, Question I have is can I wire this like earlier post bypassing the kick-down and coil?

[Blue666]

Jegs sells several shift knobs with switches. Not sure if they a monmentary or stsp. Radio shack likely carries switches that will do the job.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hurst/530/153-0010/10002/-1