Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train Ford overdrive transmission in early Chevy

Has anyone considered using the T170FT 1984-1985 Ford truck aluminum four speed top shifter with fourth gear being overdrive in a 206 or 216 engined pre 1940 chevy? I would like to keep the original rear end, engine and bellhousing in my 33 sedan, so would also like to put a torque tube adapter on it.

Anything can be done with enough time/money.

I feel; You would be "money ahead" to leave it stock/orginal paying the extra gas $. A 200CID engine won't use that much anyway.

No one will buy a butcherd up 1933 car for "top dollar".

Good luck.

Actually, it only gets about eleven miles per gallon; fairly normal for that year, but lower engine RPM at cruising speed and not pounding out the bearings is the goal.

Does someone actually make a torque tube adapter?

The only one I'm aware of is the one Patrick's sells for putting an iron Saginaw 4spd into the 48-55 trucks.

My guess would be that any late model tranny is going to be too long. Not to mention the bolt pattern and input collar size are probably wrong, and maybe even the input shaft length. You would also still be stuck with mechanical brakes. Rather scary at 65+ I'm thinking...

My cruising speed is 55, the speed limit on anything other than interstates in Oregon. Mechanical brakes are not the limiting factor, the 525/550 18 tires are. I wouldn't make any irreversible changes. Would need to buy an extra rear end for modifications. An overdrive that would replace my freewheeling unit would be the best solution. Gear Vendor units with torque tube adapters are really long. Larrowe modifies Saggies to make third gear ovedrive and a linkage kit that retains the proper "H" pattern for about $3500.

3.54 gears are available for late 35 rear ends for about $900, so changing to that would be another option.

What is engine speed @ 55 MPH?

I had a friend that put a Pinto frame & suspention under his and adapted stock looking wheels to fit, making it all look 'original' & worth more $ than it was.

He was a professional welder/fabricator though.

Good luck.

2665 RPM at 55, but remember, this is a 3 main bearing engine with cast iron pistons.

Yeah, I see the problem. In 1933 there wern't any 55 MPH roads etc.

The 3:54 gears might be 'to tall' for around town & that's a lot of money too.

Bryan makes a good point (brakes) as well.

You might want to devise a new approach

Good luck.