Inliners International Forums General Discussion MOPAR General Info Requested

I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel of my current project, so I'm looking for my next.

I would like to get a 49 to 53 MOPAR with a flat head 6. The car will be a daily driver (60 - 75%) of the time. It will have to be able to cruise at 65 - 70. My main concern is whether I should hold out for a car that has OD or try and find a used one to install. Are there any adaptors available to install a newer OD transmission -- automatic or manual?

Thanks

You can install the mopar overdrive tranny in these cars with no other modifications other than the cable and electrics. I done the swap in my '50 Plymouth. I think if you find the right car, I'd go for it rather than waiting to find the right car with an overdrive, it might be a longer wait.

You can also install a GM T-5 five speed in these cars, as Don Coatney has done. I'm sure he will chime in here with the details... Don?

Pete

blusekies, thanks for the information. It will make my decsions sooooooooo much easier. Nice looking car by the way.

As my buddy Pete said I have installed a Borg Warner T-5 five speed overdrive transmission in my 1948 Plymouth with a 1953 Desoto “big block” flat 6 engine. I have posted several pictures of the transmission installation at the following URL.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v65/DonCoatney/T-5/

If you have any questions about this installation fire away. I replaced the pilot bushing with a bearing and modified the stock bell housing to accept this transmission. Here is a picture of the Desoto engine followed by a couple of pictures of the transmission.
Don Coatney

Don,

Nice work. Thanks for the info. Am I correct in assuming that this can be done to a car that was either a strictly manual or Fluid drive car originally?

Thanks for the compliment. Not sure how this would work on a fluid drive car. There may be an input shaft issue as I am not sure if the fluid drive bell housing is the same as a non fluid drive equiped car.
Don Coatney

Don: I have been thinking about putting a Borg-Warner T-5 in my B-3 Model 51 Dodge Pickup. I looked at the 60 or so pictures you posted and many are self-explanatory. If you have the time, I would appreciate your posting a message on what to do and what not to do in order to get the T-5 in and set up right and also letting us know where you got the needed parts, etc. Also, if what you are explaining is depicted in any of your pictures, please reference the picture(s). Thanks, and I look forward to your reply.

The Fluid drive bell housing is about 3 to 4 inches longer than the standard shift bell housing. The input shaft on the transmission is 8.75" for the standard and 11.50" for the fluid drive transmission which goes into the fluid drive unit and not into the crankshaft as the standard does. The fluid drive crank has a recess in it for the input shaft and bushing. Wilcox makes an adpter which comes with a flywheel and starter ring and will accept the starter on either side of the engine, it is very expensive at $795.00 complete.

Don and Jim,

Thank you for the continued input of information. I'm really looking forward to this being my next project. Must be careful though to not lose sight of finishing my current project:).

Preston;
I have been slowly working on documentation of my T-5 install. I need to finish this. I will post this information somewhere on the web when I complete this project.
Don Coatney