The Ford Barn

Smitty · 05-18-2023, 08:05 PM

Hi All,
Does anyone know if any of the 6 cylinder 49-51 cars came with or utilized overdrive transmissions? I need something that will allow me to drive my Shoebox on the highway? Another option I have been thinking is to install a 9" rear with 308's but wondering if i would lose all of my bottom end.
Thanks, Steve

petehoovie · 05-18-2023, 09:00 PM

Yes, the sixes used the same OD as used on the V8's...

Smitty · 05-18-2023, 09:12 PM

My current transmission has a Hurst floor shift. I know the original car had column shift, looks as though the solenoid would would be in the way of the floor shifter and linkage. Any thoughts on that...?
Thanks, Steve

petehoovie · 05-18-2023, 09:24 PM

I can't help you with that unique scenario. In my case, I removed the transmission and OD from a 6-cylinder engine and installed it in an original '49 V8 with column shift...

Wayne Schuenke · 05-18-2023, 10:08 PM

my 50 ford has a6cyl with 3 speed pverdrive run down the hwy just great

tubman · 05-19-2023, 06:04 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty

My current transmission has a Hurst floor shift. I know the original car had column shift, looks as though the solenoid would would be in the way of the floor shifter and linkage. Any thoughts on that...?
Thanks, Steve

You're right about the solenoid being in the way of where the Hurst shifter wants to live. I have an old Fenton shifter conversion kit for these cars with overdrive. It mounts the shifter mechanism much higher so that it clears the solenoid. The instructions say that the floor pan has to be modified to clear the shifter. I have the instructions for the Fenton kit available. I'll try to find them.

mfirth · 05-19-2023, 06:49 AM

My 1st car was a 1950 six cylinder with overdrive. It was a GR8 car & could run 70 mph all day. I remember the Fenton shifter, but didn't have the $$$ for one after rebuilding the engine. That 6 by the way, beat a few V8s.

rotorwrench · 05-19-2023, 11:25 AM

The convertibles had a solenoid adapter the relocated the solenoid under the transmission with a rocker set up. The X frame would not accommodate a standard R10 set up so the adapter made it possible. They aren't easy to find but they are out there.

Smitty · 05-20-2023, 07:44 AM

Was not aware of that, thank you!

05-18-2023, 08:05 PM	#1
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston North Shore Posts: 752	Flathead H226 Overdrive Hi All, Does anyone know if any of the 6 cylinder 49-51 cars came with or utilized overdrive transmissions? I need something that will allow me to drive my Shoebox on the highway? Another option I have been thinking is to install a 9" rear with 308's but wondering if i would lose all of my bottom end. Thanks, Steve

05-18-2023, 09:00 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,276	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive Yes, the sixes used the same OD as used on the V8's... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

05-18-2023, 09:12 PM	#3
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston North Shore Posts: 752	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive My current transmission has a Hurst floor shift. I know the original car had column shift, looks as though the solenoid would would be in the way of the floor shifter and linkage. Any thoughts on that...? Thanks, Steve

05-18-2023, 09:24 PM	#4
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,276	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive I can't help you with that unique scenario. In my case, I removed the transmission and OD from a 6-cylinder engine and installed it in an original '49 V8 with column shift... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 05-18-2023 at 10:41 PM.

05-18-2023, 10:08 PM	#5
Wayne Schuenke Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Darien wi Posts: 45	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive my 50 ford has a6cyl with 3 speed pverdrive run down the hwy just great

05-19-2023, 06:49 AM	#7
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 987	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive My 1st car was a 1950 six cylinder with overdrive. It was a GR8 car & could run 70 mph all day. I remember the Fenton shifter, but didn't have the $$$ for one after rebuilding the engine. That 6 by the way, beat a few V8s.

05-19-2023, 11:25 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,462	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive The convertibles had a solenoid adapter the relocated the solenoid under the transmission with a rocker set up. The X frame would not accommodate a standard R10 set up so the adapter made it possible. They aren't easy to find but they are out there.

05-20-2023, 07:44 AM	#9
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston North Shore Posts: 752	Re: Flathead H226 Overdrive Was not aware of that, thank you!