I'm interested in a 3-speed overdrive transmission for my 60. Are these difficult to find, and what can a person expect to pay for a useable model. How about a part number too. Thanks for the help.

Dan

 

These are getting more difficult to find. I saw a used one last week go for 200 on ebay, and it needed rebuilt. I'm picking one up in the next couple of days at the boneyard for 250. I had searched another yard, but found only the light duty version (borg warner t-86), they also had a couple chevy units. I was searching for the t-85. I guess it's possible to get one from a chevy which seems to be more available, and adapt the overdrive portion of it to your ford manual transmission.
I believe the borg warner t-86 was for smaller engines and the t-85 was for the big blocks. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Oh, and forgot to mention that there were two versions of the overdrive, r10 & r11. R11 was the heavier duty.

 

I paid $250 for mine about 7 years ago, took me forever to find one, and then found out a part in the OD was bad and had to search for it...but when finaly done I love it..its in my 60 behind a 223...be sure you find one that has a working solenoid, they can cost you as much as a trans...

 

Here's the one you want, don't see them too often, you didn't say what engine you have but this looks like the later model wide bolt pattern.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T85N-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

the later 60's trans like the T85 have a smaller, shorter input shaft and won't work in pre 65 trucks

 

If you find one be sure it is from a truck and not a car. The input shaft length is longer on the trucks by nearly an inch. A good machine shop could fab an adapter for the pilot shaft. It has been done with other trans swaps.

 

Rodger,

Are you saying that the above mentioned transmission, the t-85n-1B with the r11-1w overdruve unit could be mounted behind a y - block with limited fabrication?

 

How would/could a person engage/disengage this OD. I understand that you flip a switch to engage/disengage the OD, but would need to let off the gas in 3rd, then engage? At what rpm? Can this be used in all gears (not that it would be needed, just asking). Are these like gear vendors OD's, just older? Thanks for the clarification.

Dan

 

RON..it takes more than fab of a new pilot bearing, if you don't use on out of a pre1965 truck you also have a problem with the throw out bearing, you'll end up with a small input shaft collar and a fork in the early bellhousings won't work, and the shorter input shaft also wont totaly engage the clutch disc..

 

DAN...I don't have a complete electrical system for my overdrive ( kickdown switch, relay and governer) so I just use a toggle switch direct to the solenoid..you can shift it at any rpm by throwing the switch and momentarily letting off the gas to drop engine rpm...you can do it in a three speeds, so it actually gives you six speeds..but this is a dangerous practice unless you know what your doing, you could find yourself in freewheeling with only the brakes to stop...