Shipping UPS shouldn't be over $125. A great deal for the total of $200.

 

It sounds like Flathead has the electrical components. And they aren't that hard to find.

I don't know Ross, maybe it's just me but there are loads of diagrams and the wiring is VERY simple. One additional wire to the stock ignition wiring, not rewiring. And the rest, just link the overdrive components - I count 6 wires.

Mounting the relay is two sheet metal screws in the firewall. Kickdown switch is drilling a 1/2 inch hole in the floorboard under the gas pedal just below the stop bolt - other two of the four components are on the transmission already - Governer threads on, Solenoid bolts up with two bolts.

Here's the skematic:

 

Thanks Julie, always such a help. I sent John a email, hoping we can work it out. Would love to have the OD, it seems like that would be too good to be true. Best of all worlds.

 

And hey - if it doesn't work out, you can still change to your 3.0 rear end. Win win!

 

I'd be real surprised if a 3.00 axle will be satisfactory in 2nd gear, going around a typical city corner at 15 mph. I might be great on the freeway, but around town I think it would go thru clutches like no tomorrow.

The B-W O/D would be a good set-up, hell it was a factory option. In O/D it should give around a 2.80 effective axle, which is worrisome, but at least you can kick out of it quickly.

I had a Y-block O/D trans with c.i. bellhousing, it weighed a ton. UPS would not ship it. Truck freight wanted it strapped to a pallet and price was (pre-fuel surcharges) about $100 to either coast, no residential delivery.

 

Well ya know what do you say?

He's asking about freeway speeds and a 3.0.

So, OK a 3.25 would be ideal. But he doesn't have a 3.25.

So we throw out options. If you are driving around town or with a load you lock out the overdrive...use it for freeway cruising.

It's not a perfect world...you want freeway speeds and have a 3.0 rear, then yes going around corners at 15 (or probably 10) mph in second will be a lug. That's the trade off. But he needs to decide how many miles he's going to cover going around corners and how many he will cover on the freewayand decide what he want as far as a configuration. He's asked for opinions not Ack Ack.

And as far as shipping we just don't know now do we. Why not let the guy do some research and see if it can be reasonably done before shooting holes in what seems to be a viable option and a good deal. I just had a transmission shipped about a year ago - UPS, it was a 3 speed light duty - withing 15 pounds of the BWOD. $75 in a box.



I'm not exactly sure why, but with this particular thread you seam to want to find nothing but fault and shoot down every suggestion whether it's bona fide or not. Not sure what the problem is. But you are a sharp guy and a good guy and are best known for your dedicated help and great ideas. Well respected here.

Maybe instead of shooting holes in every thought, you could add to the discussion by making some positive alternate suggestions as we all know you are so good at.

I hope everything is ok with you as this is terrifically untypical.

 

I don't know where you see negativity, Julie; Post #4 by Ryan had all the information needed to answer this question, and I'm pretty much saying the same thing.

I think recommending the B-W O/D as a "slap-in" option is oversimplifyiing the work required. A T5 would be better, easier, and cheaper IMO.

I don''t see any way the O/D weighs 15 lbs more than a L.D 3-sp, my Y-block OD was over 3' long with bell and tail, and weighed 135 lbs. If he can get UPS to ship this one, go for it.

 

Re: overdrive --- awesome price, get it if you can manage it. Overdrive can be a great solution to this dilemma, but it isn't necessarily a simple or cheap swap.

Things to consider: driveshaft length, tail housing support (maybe), electrical (as discussed already) and the freewheeling feature which can be harder on brakes and creates a whole different driving experience. The tranny itself is much more complex than your three speed and harder to get parts for as well. BIGGIE - double check to make sure the input shaft is correct for the truck. Cars used the same tranny with a smaller shaft.

At one point a kit was available to eliminate the electrical mess (solenoids being almost impossible to find replacements for) which make the system totally manual with over/underdrive (six gears!) which is way cool. I don't know if it's still out there though. Here is a link to some info you might find useful:

http://books.google.com/books?id=2hh...0truck&f=false


I hope I'm not stirring controversy, but I found that the rearend swap was easier, more robust and much cheaper to do than the OD. I still think your 3.0 option would be a relatively painless way to get what you want if not the "ideal". Still, I'm not sure I would pass on the OD deal just to have it.

Great topic.


Ryan

 

Since I am unable to send you an e-mail because you have requested that no e-mails be sent to you from this site I resort to doing it this way. Unfortunately I have no ideas on how to get it from here to there as I don't know anyone going that way now or in the near future. Greyhound might be a way but I'll have to find out considering its weight, and UPS I think might be too expensive but again I don't know and I'll have to check into it. I'll need you Zip code. I'm leaving on vacation this Saturday morning and won't be back at my computer until the 31st so you won't hear from me until then. I will get you some measurements but I won't be able to give them to you until I get back.

 

BTW the trans I have is the large input shaft meaning it came out of a truck rather than a car.

 

John- I didnt know I set my account for no emails (that is fixed, email away) but I am very interested. My zip is 60630 and if you want me to do any leg work I will be more then happy but to do so I need the dimensions and weight and all that stuff.

Just want to say how great this site is, started out talking about rear end ratios moved on to trans and have all the info for the pros and cons of each in one thread. Love this stuff.
Thanks all.
Cbass