Big Block Overdrive

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Dec 4, 2011 | 07:26 PM

#16

Sleepy445FE

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 1,501

Likes: 1

From: Axtell, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by graflexmaster

I hate to tell you Brain, but Ford bolted an overdrive behind the Fe for many years begining with the first Fe the 332 in 1958. The normal overdrive was the B-W T-85 with an R-11 OD. This was offered in the cars (long tail housing) from 1958 into the mid 60's. and in the F series trucks (W/short tail) from 1965 thru 1971.

The other overdrive Ford offered was the B-W T-86 w/OD that was commonly used behind the inline sixs and the 292 V8's.

Well... you learn something everyday. Thanks for the info! Reps....

Dec 6, 2011 | 01:55 PM

#17

graflexmaster

Freshman User

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 49

Likes: 0

From: Tacoma Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustywheel68

true enough...but like BrainDamage said- you're not going to find one.
The Borg-Warner Overdrive Transmission Explained- FORDification.com

plus...due to the problems that could be caused if you didn't understand the freewheel, wasn't this design outlawed for the most part?

Actually Rusty the Borg-Warner Od's are not that hard to find (infact I have several out behind the shop). The light weight -86's were used by mfg's other than just Ford, such as Studebaker and AMC(Rambler/Nash/Hudson/etc). and Both Studebaker and AMC used the T-85 as well as Ford. In fact the well known AMC "Twin-Stick" used in the Rambler/AMC Marlin and Rebels was a B-W T85 OD.

As to the legal quesion, that is/was an urban myth as many other car mfg's continued to use OD trans. long after the big-3 US mfg's dropped them. Mfg's such as MG/Volvo/Triumph/etc continued to offer OD trannys well into the 80's.