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

after years and years i finally scored one of these overdrive units. im excited to get it in, but not quite sure how to do it for our year trucks.

i have the common non syncro'd 3 speed on the column in now, so im wondering if i can use the same column and shifter arms that i have already. anyone made the conversion from the 4 bolt side cover non syncro'd, to the fully syncro'd 7 bolt side cover saginaw? anyone have any tips for me?

http://img9.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...913e657113.jpg

http://img2.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...00b824b926.jpg

http://img1.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...53cbf82ee2.jpg

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

bump

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

Great score. I put one in my 56 BelAir and I had to swap the transmission levers and modify(cut/reweld for new angle) the front lever to get the right angle to my floor pan on the 56. I used my original (56) shift linkage but my car also used a bell crank linkage for the 2nd/3rd lever. You might get by using the original linkage and not modify your levers too. Just bolt it right back into the truck where your 3 speed came out and start checking the linkages and clearances. I had my 1st/rev linkage off at least a dozen times bending it in the vise. I think it works great now. You might have to work on your speedometer gear if your rear end is not a 4:10. I had to use a AC reduction box on the transmission to get my speedo to read near right.

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

i have no info, but wanted to say "cool!"

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

thanks guys, i was worried i would probably have that problem, a lot of adjusting to get it right, but i guess its pretty naive of me to expect anything different, i will take pics of my progress...

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

Good luck. It is one awesome tranny when you get it all right.

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

Sir, I have this transmission in my 1963 truck and it looks identical to yours. My column shift linkage is stock. This transmission works real nice, however my first gear is still non-sychromesh. The overdrive feature is awesome and with a 4:11 rear gear, I only spin 2000 rpm at sixty miles per hour. Best of luck in the install. It should be very straight forward. You will need a heavy duty relay and a gas pedal switch for the kickdown feature. Building a wiring harness for this installation is very straight forward.

Rick

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

Have you got it hooked up yet? How do you like it?

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

I understand you can put that OD unit on a Saginaw 4sp too.

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

I found a Saginaw Overdrive tranny just like this one with the 7 bolt side cover. I am hoping it is a syncro first gear. I think it would be a cool bolt on for my 59 Apache.

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

yep, they are synchronized first gears, the seven bolts are at least.

No, I havent gotten this one in yet, for good reason though...right after buying this one, I found another 3 speed overdrive for sale for $100.00 Its the four bolt non sync'd version, but still, for a hundred bucks i can't complain.

http://img4.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...d2cd14deb7.jpg

http://img6.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...7a1b4968e5.jpg

http://img8.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...e1a4a66818.jpg

http://img6.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...680c703d9f.jpg


I went through this entire tranny on the inside and then cleaned and painted it. I figured since i have never driven an overdrive before, I learn on this less expensive version and not risk the seven bolt.

Ill post pics of it in my truck later this weekend, I might start a thread on rebuilding a three speed steering column too........Its what has delayed my project for this long.....:waah:

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

Will you be selling one of those trannys when you've picked the one you want in your truck? I've been looking for one since I bought my '63 a year and a half ago. Will the same drive shaft work or will you have to get a shorter one? please let us know of any mods you have to make and post progress pics!

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

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

Count me in too! I have a 7 bolt in a UPS truck that is supposed to get delivered today. Mine is going in a 1966 GMC with a 305E V6. Are any of you folks running a floor shifter on your OD? I am a little concerned about clearance issues with the solenoid? I have stock wiring diagrams downloaded if anyone needs it.

Regards,
Steve
New Orleans.

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

What kind of vehicle has these? Wouldnt a 700R4 be simpler?

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

Not entirely, a shortened driveshaft is needed, parts for the TV cable (absolute must), wiring to shut down the lock-up converter, moving the trans x-member back.

And it's not a stick. :)

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

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

well alright i didn't get to posting these pics as soon as i had planned. anyways, here they are: I mated my o/d to a 250 inline to hopefully get the best fuel economy while driving my truck this summer, the 3:73 posi is expected to help out as well.

http://img6.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...ca74139867.jpg

http://img0.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...0eb80b6b83.jpg

http://img3.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...ac949171cd.jpg

It was originally a four speed truck with a REALLY tired, oil caked 283. did the tall hump to small tranny hump conversion, rebuilt one good 3 speed column out of three columns i had, and working on the overdrive cable and wiring today............

I'll be talking to that guy with the overdrive tomorrow 3/18. I'll keep ya'll posted

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

Thanks Murdoc. I'll stay posted. I've got a 250 that originally ran in a 1970 Nova. Please update me on the overdrive cable and the wiring as I know nothing about how to upgrade to this type of transmission. Let me know how your gas mileage works out as I have 3.73 gears as well.

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

Did someone say you can bypass the solenoids and fabricate something to engage it manually? That would be great as I have been having no luck finding new electrical components for mine.

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

Murdoc: One question since you have the old (4 bolt side cover) and new (7 bolt side cover) transmissions, are the governor switches interchangeable? I took delivery of my 7 bolt side cover transmission, but UPS was kind enough to break the switch in shipment. Now I need to make a claim on the shipping insurance. Please let me know if these interchange since this will open more possibilities for finding another switch.

Thanks
Steve
new orleans

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

Steve, unfortunately the governors are not interchangeable, If you are talking about the part that screws into the back of the o/d tail housing on the "passengers" side of the tranny.

a pics worth a thousand....heres the one for a 4 bolt side cover:

http://img7.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...e8c0756c32.jpg

http://img4.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...a050daa055.jpg

And heres a 7 bolt side cover governor:

http://img8.uploadhouse.com/fileuplo...5c4b753557.jpg

The later model ones are notorious for cracking and breaking because they have a black PLASTIC top on them that doesnt have a chance when it meets up against a careless, clumsy parts puller/transporter. mine has a hairline crack in it and still works, if its any consolation. I dont know of many that have survived the past 30 years unscathed.

you can find em on ebay from time to time.....oh the guy stood me up for the od, ill go there on the weekend when its best for him

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

Murdoc:
Thanks for the pictures. I am going to do some trolling on E bay for one. Now I know what I am looking for.
regards,
Steve

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

I have heard that you can just run a switched 12V wire to the solenoid to engage/disengage it. Thus bypassing the kickdown switch and the governer. Is it true? Has anyone done this?

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

I have heard that you can just run a switched 12V wire to the solenoid to engage/disengage it. Thus bypassing the kickdown switch and the governer. Is it true? Has anyone done this?

Yes, you can bypass the kickdown switch and governor, but you should still have the switch controlling a relay rather than going directly to the solenoid. The solenoid pulls 20 amps when it is closing and 10 amps once it is closed. If you only have a switch without the relay, the switch will likely not last very long.

Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

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

Thats the info I have been looking for. Thanks so much. So if it draws 20amps, a relay that can handle 25 or 30 amps should be sufficient?

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

Yes. 30 amp relay is what I am planning. You can find an original wiring diagram and revised one to bypass the governor here:

http://www.classictruckshop.com/club...over/drive.htm

I hope this is helpful.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

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

Hey to all who might be interested, I found a great chapter on these overdrive transmissions in an old hot rod book from 1968. It has some great info and wonderful pics of how to disassemble and reassemble the muncie version of these overdrives (the nonsyncronized ones). I know how hard info on these can be to get. I think it has better schematics than the current pdf files that are readily available online.

If any of you are interested in getting it, I have it scanned, send me a pm and ill email it your way.

The best of luck my friends, we who dabble with these nostalgic, innovative pieces of automotive history; we know we need it!

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

Just thought I would post an update. The overdrive transmission is now in my 1966 GMC behind my 305 V6. The results are sweet. Overdrive kicks in automatically after 30MPH. Gives a .70 to 1 ratio that is ideal for cruising at highway speeds. I think the old V6 is really going to love it.

If you follow this thread, UPS was kind enough to smash the governor in shipment and wouldn't honor the shipping insurance. Shipping insurance is a rip off. I ended up finding a new governor on E Bay, but it was 1.25" diameter threads for the early transmissions vs. mine with 7/8" threads for the later synchro transmission. Fortunately, I have a machine shop in the family and a nephew that was kind enough to cut and rethread the governor I bought.

These transmissions are a great way to get a cruising gear in our old trucks.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

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

I am interested in finding one of these and installing in my 66 C10. Can you provide info as where to look for them and what to look for in terms of their condition?

Thanks

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

i to would like to know about what to look for. I have a 3 speed on the tree colomn on stanby just for this

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

Bump.........
Dumb question, how can i tell if my 70 has a saginaw or munice 3 speed

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

Blutrukker,

did you wire your Sagina 3 speed with o/d, bypassing the the kickswitch and governor...have any pics or diagram. just my hands on one and no clue of how to wire it...thanks in advance.

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

This is all great information......

I have a 1966 fleet side big window long box custom truck with a 327 in it that has the original overdrive and a power booster set up in it that i was kind of wondering how rare or what to do with it. I just haven't got that far with it yet...it's what i would say is in the " line up for a build " thats a nice way of saying it's sitting in my field. I have already learned way more about that overdrive then i knew before great thread...

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

I just finished installing one of these in my truck yesterday by myself...man it is not easy holding these up with only one person. In regards to the bypass switch, what I have been wiring tonight is a relay going to the solenoid and using the governor as the ground for a relay with a on/off push button switch between the switched hot for the relay. That way I can turn on/off the OD when I want above 28mph and it will automatically turn the OD off when I slow below 28 mph so I don't accidentally take off in OD from a stop. I made a quick drawing of it:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...DiagramC10.jpg :smoke: Let me know what you think

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

Gianyveedub,

Thanks for the reply. I know what you mean, I use as many jacks as I can,,LOL. That is exactly what I want to do with mine. What type of relay did you use? Can I get a pictures of how you have it wired. I'm a "visual" kind of man...in other words, can't comprehend wiring for S***. You can send them private message.

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

Once I have it finished I'll send the pics. Today was family day and I was not able to touch my truck at all... :(

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

i'm glad you guys gave this old thread some new life. I too have a 7 bolt 3 speed w/OD. and was looking at for the gear ratio for the OD. So people said it had a .85 and some say .70

Looks like I have one with .70.

anyone know how much horsepower they can handle?

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

Here is my unfinished wiring of the overdrive


Here is a series of pictures that I took trying to explain how it will work. I have not been able to finish it like I would like today, but life happens.

My color code is as follows:
-Yellow from Ignition to on/off switch to light to relay (#85)
-Red is from batt (fuse 20 amp) to relay (#30)
-Black is Ground/Governor to (#86)
-Green is Solenoid to relay (#87)

This one is of the whole setup. I am wiring a light between the on/off push button switch and the relay as you can see in the second photo.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures004.jpg

The second is a close up of the on/off and light.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures005.jpg

The third one is showing the batt wire with a fuse.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures006.jpg

The fourth is of the Governor/Ground Wire

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures007.jpg

The fifth is of the solenoid wire

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures008.jpg

These last two are of the relay socket and the relay itself. It is a bosh relay 30amps.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures010.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ictures009.jpg


In regards to ratio, it is a .70:1 ratio. The trans is a Saginaw and I would expect that like anything that is well taken care of, it should handle quite a bit. Not 500 hp, but a small block should do fine. They used to put these things behind 283's. :metal:

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

Gianyveedub:

Excellent job man!! Im glad to see someones finally posted a wiring setup for these overdrives. Keep us posted on how this wiring goes for you.