Need so information on this 3 speed OD

[62 Barnfind]

I thought I would post this on the 47-59 site also since this is more common in the 50s trucks. I went to pick up a donor cab today for the 58 i'm working on and found a transmission. It's a GM 3 speed with overdrive and I got it for $100. I want to put it on my 62 so I can drive a little easier on the highway with my 235 L6. My question is will it work and what is the extra lever for toward the rear of the trans? Here is the pics and the serial number. Any help would be great! We also picked up a nice 55 GMC factory V8 with Auto, two 50s fords and a 41 Chevy truck. It was a great day!

[dwcsr]

Its an SM319 OD trans that last lever is for the OD unit to engage via a cable at the dash, It works with that solenoid on the side. If it works $100 is a good deal

[chevyguyase]

You probably know this already, but a 5 speed Borg Warner is almost a bolt in swap. I have one in a '54 Chevrolet 3100, 6 cyl. It had a granny gear 4 speed when I got it. I think you will probably have to shorten the drive shaft either way. It would be cool to keep it '50ish though.

[tmoble]

If that's the Sag 3/OD be aware thar there's a pretty well known process to swap the OD onto a Sag 4-spd. Some of those have low 1st gears like 3.00 and 3.27 or similar. Makes a killer trans for a 6-cyl pickup. Check that the big solenoid is not open or shorted.

[62 Barnfind]

Thanks for the help guys! I know it's going to be a little work but I think it's cool. This guy had a bunch of cool stuff there. Just enough to get excited about. The owner of the 58 bought a 55 GMC olive green with deluxe trim, original V8 with auto trans for $2500. Sweet truck! We also got a nice 40 chevy there also all original for $2800

[Janky59]

Hey Barnfind - there is a good thread on these transmissions in the 60-66 subforum. Try this link:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=313886

I'm about halfway in the process of getting one of these put in my '59 Apache.
That lever is for the overdrive lockout. Further back is the speedometer drive (missing it looks like). On the far side there should be the governor, that regulates at what speed the OD engages..
There is also some good articles and reprints of original manuals on the web, just search "3 speed overdrive" and poke around.

Parts wise try either Garage Motorsports or VanPelt Sales. Good Luck.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by Janky59

Hey Barnfind - there is a good thread on these transmissions in the 60-66 subforum. Try this link:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=313886

I'm about halfway in the process of getting one of these put in my '59 Apache.
That lever is for the overdrive lockout. Further back is the speedometer drive (missing it looks like). On the far side there should be the governor, that regulates at what speed the OD engages..
There is also some good articles and reprints of original manuals on the web, just search "3 speed overdrive" and poke around.

Parts wise try either Garage Motorsports or VanPelt Sales. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info. I'll read it and see how to make it work! Thanks again!

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by tmoble

If that's the Sag 3/OD be aware thar there's a pretty well known process to swap the OD onto a Sag 4-spd. Some of those have low 1st gears like 3.00 and 3.27 or similar. Makes a killer trans for a 6-cyl pickup. Check that the big solenoid is not open or shorted.

Wow. I had no idea! Thanks for the tip... in case I ever find one.