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rjlester · 11-29-2023, 04:56 PM

I second what ford38v8 said, once you have an OD, you will never go without. Converted my 3 speed to an OD over a year ago and it's AMAZING. I have put over 8000 miles on the car in the last two years, about 6000 with the OD. Took a few long road trips with it and there are a couple of improvements other than the obvious.

Firstly, you can easily keep up with modern highway traffic. I have 3.54 gears in my car, and I can do 70mph all day long with the OD. Before, 65 seemed to be about the max without the engine sounding a bit taxed.

Oil consumption went to almost zero.

Fuel economy went from 18 imp mpg (best I got with the 3 speed) to 23 imp mpg (best I got with OD), averages 20 to 21.

Oil stays cleaner, longer.

If I keep the speed to 70mph or less, oil consumption is basically nil. If I pushed it to 80, my engine starts to burn oil. One evening, the OD didn't work (long story, it worked the next day) and I drove it for about 2 hours in third, at about 65 mph. Burned about a quart in that time.

No regrets with the OD.

11-29-2023, 04:56 PM	#5
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 248	Re: '50 convertable performance? I second what ford38v8 said, once you have an OD, you will never go without. Converted my 3 speed to an OD over a year ago and it's AMAZING. I have put over 8000 miles on the car in the last two years, about 6000 with the OD. Took a few long road trips with it and there are a couple of improvements other than the obvious. Firstly, you can easily keep up with modern highway traffic. I have 3.54 gears in my car, and I can do 70mph all day long with the OD. Before, 65 seemed to be about the max without the engine sounding a bit taxed. Oil consumption went to almost zero. Fuel economy went from 18 imp mpg (best I got with the 3 speed) to 23 imp mpg (best I got with OD), averages 20 to 21. Oil stays cleaner, longer. If I keep the speed to 70mph or less, oil consumption is basically nil. If I pushed it to 80, my engine starts to burn oil. One evening, the OD didn't work (long story, it worked the next day) and I drove it for about 2 hours in third, at about 65 mph. Burned about a quart in that time. No regrets with the OD.