Tonight I'm installing the third 3.03, all synchro three-speed, with column shift. Are they not getting put together properly, like the one I built in a hurry, or am I trying to put to much power through it with my NOT stock 352? 3.50 in the diff, 31 inch tires, and a well-sorted 352.
?

 

How are the 3.03s failing? Same each time, different? It’s a pretty tough tranny so I’d think it should stand up to a warmed up 352. However, it’s probably not the tranny for regular and aggressive shifting/driving. I replaced mine with a Tremec TKO600 because wanted more gears and easy highway cruising - hell, I can even drive past multiple gas stations with a warmed up 390. Last long distance trip at speeds of 70-80 on interstate it got 18.5 MPG (rear is 3.25:1 Eaton truetrac and OD is 0.68).

 

The first one I'm sure was original and had never been overhauled it was just worn out synchros bearings the whole nine yards I rebuilt it and missed it thrust washer so that one was toast. Body used one and it was making noise in reverse took it out had the guys at the scrap yard rebuild it and I just fried second gear after almost a year it was falling out of gear popping out of gear making noise and second I just drove it around the block and it's not really quiet now either. I know I'm hard on the old girl because it's loud people challenge me and I just can't let him walk away I got to you know show whether it's all about which cannot be good for my transmission.
but I got to show these young punks what old school means LOL.
Looked up the tremec and does that just bolt in to my FR bellhousing? Kind of pricey but worth it probably.
Excuse my excuse my voice to text miscus I can't type that good

 

Ok so you wore out one, rebuilt it with a fatal error, then had a 3rd one pre-worn out, then a 4th one assembled from junk, worn out parts. And you drive it hard.

Not the original transmission design that's the issue here.

 

I got the Tremec from Silver Sport. You tell them what you are putting it in and they put in the right input shaft (short 10 spline in my case). The transmission has a versatile top cover system that allows multiple gear shift locations and the kit provides the shifter (boot is up to you). Yes, it bolted up using the stock bell housing and stock transmission cross member. The kit includes the transmission mount. The transmission kit was ~$3200; driveshaft shop shortening/balancing of long bed two piece was right at $130. There is not enough room if you have the stamped floor without the removable tunnel cover. You need the bolt on high hump tunnel cover if you don’t already have. The cover is the same from 65-79 in pickups up to one ton. The cover is also available reproduced for $100 - NPD I believe has them; just cut out, install u-nuts, make a gasket, cut out your shifter hole and bolt up. It is a pretty slick shifting, short gate, modern transmission. Basically it is a beefed up mustang T-5, but the TKO models are rated for 500 or 600 foot pounds of torque. Fifth gear is OD and gears 1-3 are available in a close ratio or a bit more spread out with a hole shot 1st gear. It is pricey but is a fun unit.

 

85e150, you pretty much nailed it there. I realized the same thing you pointed out as I was putting it together. Thanks.

Beckyisa66, the tremec sounds like a great upgrade. I have the one piece floor pan but wouldn't mind modifying it. Now the only problem is the $3200...

 

Put a throttle stop on your carb! lol

You might luck out and score a 5 or 6 speed from a good salvage yard? That'd save a little bit of money anyway.

 

[QUOTE=dubya TF;19621609]Put a throttle stop on your carb! lol

You might luck out and score a 5 or 6 speed from a good salvage yard? That'd save a little bit of money anyway.[/QUOI have a truck salvage yard that I have been working with for over 30 years and I have them on the lookout for a Tremec. Now just need to keep my fingers crossed and save my nickels and dimes.

 

The guy who had been working on my three speed gifted me a T-18 to get out from under the 3.03. Just bolted it in, need to work on a driveshaft monday before I can drive it. Cut floor pan and have a high bolt in cover on the way.