How Tuff?
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Joined: Jun 2004
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How Tuff?
I have a '70 Sports Custom primarily used for my parts biz. It has a stock 360 with a 3-speed w/overdrive manual gearbox. I don't have any big plans except for adding 390 GT heads and an aftermarket 4V intake. When the time comes for a rebuild, (may be awhile as it only has 49K original miles...) I'll bump up the compression a little, step up with a warmer cam and headers, and maybe...MAYBE swap in a run-of-the-mill 428 crankshaft. The question...just how weak or hearty is the manual overdrive trans? it's a blast to drive and I get 12+ MPG at 75+ mph even with the 2V. As stated earlier, all changes I might do will be done with moderation with daily driving in mind. But I was merely curious about the strength of this transmission.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Nich: That transmission is TOUGH and is made for torque usage. They last and last!
However.
But.
It was installed into trucks with farmers and their heavy hauling but sedate driving habits that they had in mind, not performance.
You won't blow the transmission, but you can blow the OD unit. Ford didn't put the OD behind anything stronger than a 352/360 after '65 because they had trouble with guys using them for racing, and blowing them. That OD is PERFECT for smoking someone, because you only have to shift once into 2nd gear, but can get up to 70 at redline on OD in 2nd. But the sun gear cannot take that kind of punishment for long.
Ford put that OD behind Fairlanes and Galaxies in the early '60s, but had to stop for too many comebacks. Police interceptors got them later than '65, but Ford Boy Pete will tell you they came in regularly with OD units that ate themselves for lunch.
Your plans for 390 GT heads are kewl, but you may want to re-consider since anything they add may work against your current transmission.
Thw other option is to do what I am doing, replace it with an automatic. You will lose mileage, so you might want to think real hard. I have to do it, because the arthritis in my hip makes it harder and harder to clutch. I am selling the ENTIRE, COMPLETE OD setup to a friend. Steering column, Z-bar, everything. He has first refusals, but I could probably get more if I put it on e-bay - so you might want to try that.
However.
But.
It was installed into trucks with farmers and their heavy hauling but sedate driving habits that they had in mind, not performance.
You won't blow the transmission, but you can blow the OD unit. Ford didn't put the OD behind anything stronger than a 352/360 after '65 because they had trouble with guys using them for racing, and blowing them. That OD is PERFECT for smoking someone, because you only have to shift once into 2nd gear, but can get up to 70 at redline on OD in 2nd. But the sun gear cannot take that kind of punishment for long.
Ford put that OD behind Fairlanes and Galaxies in the early '60s, but had to stop for too many comebacks. Police interceptors got them later than '65, but Ford Boy Pete will tell you they came in regularly with OD units that ate themselves for lunch.
Your plans for 390 GT heads are kewl, but you may want to re-consider since anything they add may work against your current transmission.
Thw other option is to do what I am doing, replace it with an automatic. You will lose mileage, so you might want to think real hard. I have to do it, because the arthritis in my hip makes it harder and harder to clutch. I am selling the ENTIRE, COMPLETE OD setup to a friend. Steering column, Z-bar, everything. He has first refusals, but I could probably get more if I put it on e-bay - so you might want to try that.
