Overdrive
 

I have a 49 4door custom all stock. Can I put an overdrive with my existing tranny or will I need a different transmission?

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Re: Overdrive
 

You can’t simply “add-on” the Borg Warner overdrive unit to an existing Ford straight 3 speed transmission. There are numerous fundamental differences in the gearbox and the transmission main shaft that prevent you from trying this modification.

There are still many 1949-50 Ford overdrive transmissions out there. Buy one as a core and have it rebuilt. Everything still bolts up the same as your regular 3 speed, including the driveshaft. A 1951 Ford OD trans will also work, but will require a modification to the rear support to fit.

Re: Overdrive
 

OR
Just buy it from Mac, I know for sure he's got some. There are snares in these OD's,
that can get overlooked. A worn out planetary is not uncommon & uncomfortably

pricey. Solenoid, governor, kick down switch, firewall mounted relay and the cable are

all part of the equation. It is worth it for sure !
Charlie ny

Re: Overdrive
 

Thanks I didn’t think it was an add on to existing tranny.


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Re: Overdrive
 

The OD transmission has special reverse lockout mechanism inside the case and that and the OD rear section require a special flange to make all the stuff work so the case is completely different with no way to modify. The OD case for the early 8BA fords have the same casting for the clutch that the standard transmissions have so you need that. Folks are still in the habit of street rodding or changing over to C4 automatics on these old shoe boxes so decent transmissions still show up on flea-pay now and then.