Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

i might start looking for one of these. does anyone know where these trannys are from. it would help if i knew what vehicle i was looking for when i go to the junk yard, instead of looking under any car with a three on the tree.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

They used them on alot of old chevys. They started making the Borg Warner T85ns in the thirties and stop using these transmissions in the late sixties. Bel-airs had them and even some trucks. Hope this helps :smoke:

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

How long are these units? I have a 3 speed 4 bolt standard that is about 16 1/2" from front at bolt holes to end of nose cone. I'd think I might have to cut down driveshaft for this conversion?

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

The unit are approximately 22 inches long. I had to take my driveshaft to South Bay Driveline and have it cut down. I kept the 2 piece shaft instead of finding a 1 piece shaft. I also used a shift kit from mr. gasket: 7667a I think was the part number. I have all day tomorrow to myself and will finally take pics for you guys and gals. :splat:

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

I made a bracket to hold my on/off button. It is not the greatest, but it will do. I used a spray on bedliner to coat the bare metal.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...o/DSCN2720.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...o/DSCN2721.jpg

I didn't have a better place to put the relay, so I put it here.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...o/DSCN2722.jpg

If you need to see which screw has the wire attached (solenoid) here it is.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...o/DSCN2724.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...o/DSCN2723.jpg

And I used a existing hole for the overdrive lockout.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...o/DSCN2725.jpg

:metal:

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

Loving it! So glad to see alot of guys using these things! Would love to know how they are working out for everyone?? I am extremly confident after this tread that I can get mine in,,, I want to know how ya'll like em?? Thanks

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

I'm loving mine. Right now I have a straight pipe and the sound is quite loud. So when I get up to freeway speeds and hit the O/D button on mine....nothing but a nice engine drop and lower engine sound. Plus you can go faster than 55 without the engine sounding like it straining.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

great info in this thread, I been getting the itch to install my OD lately, since my truck is up and running.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

I just completed the swap from a three speed non-syncro to a syncro in my 64. As stated in an earlier post the transmission are the same length and the only thing I had to do was to utilize the front Yoke from the syncromesh since the non-syncromesh is not compatible. Also if you use the shift linkage from a 66 and up you won't have to do any bending of the shift levers.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

how can you tell if it is an overdrive tranny?

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

Fat Tony:
They are very distinctive with an electric solenoid sticking out the left side of the tranny and an overdrive governor sticking out the right side of the tranny. Here is the early model with four bolt side cover and non synchro first gear:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-3-speed-S...027e08&vxp=mtr

Here's a spot with the original literature where you can read all about them:
http://www.speedprint.com/deves50/overdriveindex.php

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

did the muncie transmissions come out with o/d or just the Borg Warner...... went outside hoping to find a governor on the side but its regular :( .......... by the way whats the difference in the 4 bolt cover and the 7 bolt cover?

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

The four bolt cover has a non synchro first and the seven bolt had a synchro'd first. However if you have the o/d unit, when you shift into first, it will pop in just like a synchro'd first.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

i have the moncie 7 bolt...... what are the pros and cons of a synchro'd tranny?

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

There are none when it come to how it affects the overdrive. :metal:

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

what if i dont have overdrive?

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

A synchro'd first was just an evolution of transmission tech and in all ways are superior to the old fashion non synchro'd first.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

I hate to resurect an old thread like but... I just installed one of these transmissions in my 63 and I cant get it to go into OD. I'm not sure if I'm having a mechanical issue or I'm just doing it wrong...

Here's what I have done: I have wired the solenoid with a relay (like in above posts) and with the lockout arm all the way out, I have verified the solenoid is engaging. (energized with cover off and plunger moves all the way in and fully compresses it's spring) but when driving, I can't get it into o/d. Any ideas?

I'm scratching my head.

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

WTexChevy:
Are you using the governor to switch the overdrive? You can unscrew the governor from the tranny and spin it with a drill to see that it closes the contact to ground. Alternatively, you could bypass the governor and temporarily wire a switch inside the cab that would ground it. When working correctly, I can hear the governor click at 27 mph, then I let off of the gas then reapply and the solenoid does the shift.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

Have you tried it with arm in the opposite position?
sam

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

You could permanently wire that switch inside the cab and use it to engage the o/d at ANY speed--AND in any/every gear(can u think 6 speeds?). A good switch to use is an EXTRA dimmer switch mounted right in the floor--to operate with your left foot while keeping hands on steering wheel! Lotsa fun that way: clicking, accelerating, and shifting.:lol: Plus: when shifting while trans is NOT in o/d, you do NOT have to use the clutch.
sam

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

There are some people who have had problems with there O/D kicking in. First, is the cable pushed in to allow the overdrive solenoid to activate. Second, if you have wired it like I did, when you turn on the overdrive, you have to take you foot off the gas for a good two seconds. When you do you will definitely hear the RPM's drop and you will know it is in overdrive. :metal:

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

i know this is my 1st post and it doesnt pertain to older trucks. i have this 3 speed saginaw with od. i was going to put it in my racecar but didnt know if the overddrive would be worth it. would it be an advantage running it or not. any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. thank you in advance

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

Need some help with my 3sp/OD trans. Freed up the lock out cable, but found all of the wiring missing to the governor and solenoid.Also missing the kick down switch. I'd like to set this up w/o the kick-down switch, Question I have is can I wire this like earlier post bypassing the kick-down and coil?

Re: 3 speed overdrive!!, now about getting it in.......
 

Jegs sells several shift knobs with switches. Not sure if they a monmentary or stsp. Radio shack likely carries switches that will do the job.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hurst/530/153-0010/10002/-1