T86?

[Hot Rod Reverend]

I talked to a gentleman the other day who kindly told me that 55/56 Fords did not use a T86 with a sideload cover (although that is what we always called those transmissions in the cars that had an R10 overdrive). Is a T86 ONLY topload?

I have a 55 Ford passenger car 3 speed manual transmission that has the R10 overdrive. The main case is different from the regular Ford transmissions we used to call the "paper trans" because it would break so much under any kind of horsepower.

Can any Ford owners out there shed any light on this?

The reason I ask is that this has caused quite a bit of confusion when I research for internal parts for this transmission, and I am not sure what nomenclature to use to identify the 3 speed from 55/56 that had the overdrive in a SIDELOAD main case.

Even the 1949-59 parts diagrams I have DO NOT SHOW the transmission and overdrive I have mated together. It does show the main case and parts, but the overdrive tailshaft attached to it in the diagram looks very different.

[smtichy]

Hi Reverend,
This VanPelt site I stumbled across a few weeks back has a lot of drawings and a transmission ID guide.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ings_trans.htm

From that and other info I've seen it looks like the T86 is a top loader and the T85 is a side loader, with both able to be mated to an R10. Hope that helps.

I have a 3sp.OD which I've recently acquired, my first, and I have a few questions about its operation. Would you mind if I shoot you a PM with them?

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Don't mind the PM for sure, but I am probably in the same boat you are in. I am removing my original Fordomatic and replacing it with a 3 speed with R10 overdrive. I know all about Y blocks but the transmissions confuse me a little on the names and such. I have completely disassembled the entire transmission and have cleaned and painted the case, tailshaft, exterior parts, and have cleaned and inspected all subassemblies. Getting the parts was difficult because of the nomenclature.

The fella I referred to in the OP is none other than Mac Van Pelt himself.

[Dobie Gillis]

If everything is working correctly:

Push OD control cable in toward firewall

Accelerate to about 27 to 30 mph

Lift off the gas and the OD will engage. You may feel a slight lurch.

Floor the accelerator, the kickdown switch will interrupt the ignition for about 1/2 a rev and cut power to the solenoid and the OD will disengage, giving you a passing gear just like an automatic trans. Lift off when ready to shift back into OD.

Coast down to about 20 MPH and the governor will open the relay ground circuit, cutting power to the solenoid. The car will freewheel down until trans input and output speeds match (about 5 MPH).

To lock the OD out pull the OD cable out. It is best to do this while stopped. While moving the trans must be kicked down to direct and held there while pulling the cable out.

[JeffB2]

Maybe this would be a good investment? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Overdri...9745ee&vxp=mtr

[rick55]

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The suggestion to buy the overdrive manual cd is probably good advice.
It is interesting to note that the diagrams Van Pelt use are straight out of the Illustrated Parts Catalogue. Sort of bears out how important it is for anyone to procure one of the CDs of these catalogues no matter how you get them.

[rick55]

Dan, have you considered that gearbox you have may be a 56/57 Tbird box. Check page 200 of your illustrated parts catalogue. Sedans used the box which loaded from the top according to these manuals.

[40cpe]

All of the t86 overdrive transmissions I have seen are top loaders, side shifted.
A picture is worth a thousand words. I know it is torn down, but show us pictures of the case.

A t85 is side loaded, but has a curved bottom on the shift cover.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

I know a T85, I have torn one down before and did some work before I sold it.

this is a photo of what we are talking about.



the case is side load but it is different from the regular 55/56 Ford 3 speeds.

None of the diagrams I have in those digital manuals show the case of the tailshaft I have which is an OVERDRIVE case no doubt.

I've got parts coming from Van Pelt's ... I am pretty sure we are going to be ok. Just wondering what to call this case.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Jeff, thanks for the lead... I will pick that up.

[smtichy]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Reverend

Don't mind the PM for sure, but I am probably in the same boat you are in...

Hi Reverend, Your right then, you wouldn't be able to answer my questions. I wanted to cross check notes on the OD function with someone driving one regularly. When you get yours working you'll see it takes some getting used to.

Thanks for sharing the pics of your project, its useful to see how the T86 looks on the inside.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Once I get the parts in, I will lay them out on a workbench and document the rebuild/refresh process.