I tried to get in the other night but had technical diffs.
Just a side thought, does anyone know of an adapter plate or usable bell housing that will mate an FE to a non FE trans?

Robert P.

 

Robert,
For a manual trans, it's quite easy to put a 5 speed Tremec TR3550 or TKO behind an FE (merely requires an adaptor plate, the trans, and a new clutch disk). I'm running a TKO behind the 429 in my Torino. Some people balk at the price of the Tremecs, but it's a nice overdrive option for the big block. Fourth gear is 1:1 and 5th is .68 (or .80 if you opt for that). Someone on this list has one behind a 360 in their truck.
Ohio Bill

 

The overdrive would engage in any forward gear as long as you were traveling over approx. 27MPH, but was rarely used in low as it was not designed for the torque applied in that gear. It was offered in the P.U.s with big blocks up thru '72. The Ford car O.D. trannys can readily be used with the Short Bed trucks and even in the long bed trucks if an extra long one piece driveshaft is used. It's better to find an O.D. unit originally built for the longbed which has the short tailshaft and the fixed output yoke designed for the two piece driveshaft. This HD tranny and O.D. is not to be confused with the lighter duty O.D. trannys. The T-85 tranny looks much like a T-10 with it's curved bottom side cover and will be clearly marked T-85 with a suffix of (usually) A or N. Yhe O.D. unit on the back of the tranny will be clearly marked R-11.

 

Ohio Bill, thanks.
I was curious for the sake of Ford67ranger. But am interested in getting info on this tranny as I have a 4 speed now. But continually drop the clutch and look for that non exsistant 5th, going 65 mph down the highway.

I have saved your post, and I thank you.

Robert P.

 

Robert,
Drop me an email off-list if you would like more info on the TKO.
(kingw@bgnet.bgsu.edu)
Ohio Bill

 

i have one of these trans in a 68 f100 out back.. i have been thinking of using it.. but just to lazy to go take it out... what is the value of these transmissions..i had a 80's model 3sp. overdrive trans that i could'nt give away.. put it in a bump behind a 360 then sold the complete truck

 

Geez Only a 13-year-old thread! Haha

 

ha ha ha ..i never even noticed...... i better put my glasses on

 

Don't feel bad, I didn't notice either!!

 

this is still a good thread!!!!.. my 71 f100 300-6 np435 is in the shop right now for some body work and a new coat of paint.. the 9 3/8 3:50 gear rear diff. has to be removed, it dont lock anymore and needs rebuilt.. i have a 3:25 open center section i took out of a dent in the front yard i was going to install in it.. i was also thinking about changing the np435 out while i was under it..i have a windsor pattern C6 i thought about putting in it since the "ole rip" f100 will not be needed for towing anymore.. but i also have a t-85 in a bump out back that may be a better choice (mpg wise)... i wanted to get some of the bump gurus out there opinion before removing any parts..)

 

It is possible to make the overdrive work in all 3 gears. A few guys around here did it, it was pretty cool for street racing from a roll at around 30, it took a little skill to shift from over/under between gears. Back in the early 60s all most of us had was 6 cylinder cars that were wound out in 1st @30 so they would go to overdrive in 1st. Example, 50 Ford flat head 6 with this setup would drive away from the 6 cylinder chevys with no problem. The good days.

 

I'm looking for an option for a similar problem. I have a 75 Ford 4x4 with a 360, a New Process Transmission and a Dana 21 Transfer case. My engine is rebuilt and runs great, but I would like to put in an overdrive transmission to make it a little more highway friendly. The original tranny also has over 200,000 miles, so it's getting the chatters pretty good. I'm interested in either an overdrive transmission option that will work with the 4x4 and FE combo, or a transmission suggestion and an adapter that will make it work.

 

Easy, but spendy. NV-4500 or a Tremec 3550 from Advance Adapters IIRC. You might want to dump the Dana 21 box and put in a NP-205, or a EB Dana 20 while you are at it.

 

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to keep as much of the original drivetrain in place as possible, but that could definitely change based on the price.

 

RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 speed overdrive: 1978/83 F100/150 300/302 2WD

RTS TS-OD Top Shift 4 speed overdrive: 1984/89 F150 2WD/4WD 300/302 & Bronco 300/302.