Well, I'm still on the hunt for an overdrive trans for my 56 and still no luck. I called every yard listed within 250 miles of my house and came up empty. I just filled out the form on a couple of websites that search nationwide for parts. I've been looking out on ebay but I'm hesitant to pay the extra 100.00 for shipping until I become more desperate. I'll keep you all posted on my nationwide hunt for an extinct transmission.
Mike

 

Here a guy that had everything but the last time I purchase anything was back in 2000,
His name
Petee Pantry
RT 1 box 208
Fredonia,Ks 66736
tel: 316 692 3681

 

Mike, do you have a three speed in the truck already ?

 

Yes I have the 3HD (T-87) which I'm told an OD cannot be adapted to. Also thanks for the info for that person in Kansas Lonewolf, I'll give them a call.

 

Have you tried car-part.com?

 

Here's one for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1950-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I tried car-part.com and according to them one yard has 2 matches for exactly what I'm looking for. The problem is that when I call they don't seem to want to do their job even when I give them the stock # listed on the website. I've called this place among many others and keep getting "I don't have anything for that" or some similar response. I've noticed this complacent attitude while dealing with multiple salvage yards. I can either conclude that car-part.com shows false and innacurate listings for these businesses, or the salvage yard personnel figure its too much work for the money to follow through. I've left my phone number with multiple places and they never call back so I have to keep bugging them about it. This seems to be a common attitude towards work with many businesses now. I just get frustrated because I am an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force and I have to do my job and do it right. Even when its -50 outside in the winter here or 130 overseas, otherwise our planes don't fly. The other downside is that you don't come across too many salvage yards anymore that you can just browse through. I suppose too many people abused that luxury and now we have to rely on some guy working at the counter to find what we are looking for and actually follow through with it. Can anyone else relate to this or is it just me?
Those transmissions listed on ebay are from cars and I believe will take some work to fit up to a truck. I did however contact one of the sellers who happens to have what I'm looking for and hasn't posted it for sale yet. I'm waiting for him to send me pictures and keeping my fingers crossed. I also have a possible source from one salvage yard that was actually very helpful.
I would like to thank you all for the input and information though!

Mike

 

microb -

It's not just you. I can relate to your story about responses from the junkyards. I was recently looking for a sending unit and requested it across the national line with no responses. It turns out that there probably aren't any available anywhere (thanks for helping Barry), so I'm going a different route, but it is very disappointing that customer service has taken a hike.

At least there is still a Napa Auto store near me. When they lose their customer service, I'm getting another hobby.

 

I can relate too. One yard said that they had a 2.9l for $600 and "guaranteed less than 50,000 miles", brought it home, drained the oil, and 2 gallons of water poured out before the oil came out. month later, asked for an A4LD tranny..."guaranteed less than 50,000 miles." They wouldn't let me in their yard to look at the vehicle's odometer. Anyhow, Ebay w/patience usually pays off.

PS: Randy Jack, did you find a solution to yer sending unit?

 

You're welcome any way & there isn't that much difference between car & truck Trans, It's minute @ worst & you allways build them to suit your need anyway.

 

Well I'm told that the T-86 transmissions are very light duty as they are built for cars and not trucks. I'm not afraid of some modification, but I would like to start with a transmission that was built for the job.

Mike

 

I can relate to the Yard experience, as well. The one I deal at is managed by my friend and I still have some trouble. They are generally understaffed and are set up to cater to the bigger shops. It seems that it's a crap shoot when you call.

 

Well when you consider that they might recieve 50-100 calls a day (everytime I've been to the local yard the phone is constantly ringing and they can't even help me at the counter) They probably put my info on some notepad sheet that probably gets trampled over 10 minutes later and they probably concentrate on the big sales. I would think a transmission would be sufficient profit for a salvage yard. Its not like I'm bugging them about a rubber grommet off of an AMC Eagle to complete a restoration. But none the less I certainly feel sorry for the poor guy who can't come up with that grommet because he probably doesn't stand a chance at the local salvage yard.

 

havi - Yes, I did come up with a plan. I ordered an aftermarket 33 gallon sender and plan to shorten it to fit the 25 gallon tank. Where there is a will....(etc)

 

When I had my L.D. Manual Truck Trans remanufactured there were More H.D. parts available for the L.D. Car Trans then the L.D. Truck Trans.
So I wound up using H.D. Car Trans parts instead of Truck Trans parts & it took a Great Deal of Off Road Abuse & was still going strong till I could find a Cruis-O-Matic to replace it w/.
So I believe they are More than Adequate for the Job, If Built Correctly.
And you are Welcome, once again.