The Ford Barn

miller91 · 06-10-2016, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

The original OD's are very weak units and don't like allot of power, so treat them gentle. The later ford 55 and later cars and PU's used the T-85 trans with OD. These were quite rugged. Just a word of caution.

Ol' Ron, I am running stock and no abuse. Thanks for the caution!

The older R10 O/D is a 3 wheel planetary, the T85 with R11 O/D is 4 wheel and definitely more robust, I think I'll be ok unit has 37,000 original miles on it and I am going to inspect everything after our short New England season!

Maybe I'll put a T85 behind my next flatty with mods.

tubman · 06-10-2016, 10:06 AM

I thought about going the "T85" route. From my experience, they are very difficult to find and expensive if you do find one. I'm still keeping my eyes open.

As to Ol' Ron's point, at my age (74), I find it is psychologically impossible for me to abuse a car. I took my restored '67 Corvette 350 HP car to the local "run what ya' brung" night to see if it would break into the 14's. I think it could have, but I just couldn't bring myself to dump the clutch, power shift, and run beyond the redline that would have made it possible. I tried twice; I just couldn't do it. The '51 is the same way, the heads are mainly for looks, but the carburetion, cam, and ignition will be strictly oriented for cruisin'. If this was 1962, everything I own would be broken!

rotorwrench · 06-10-2016, 11:16 AM

A friend of mine used to have a 63 Galaxy 500 with the R-11 OD. You could flail the thing with a 390 CID FE motor and it would take it no problem. He did have problems with the 9-inch rear axle though. The pinion spun a race and ruined the housing. He ended up with a super T10 B&W transmission because he just had to have a 4-speed. He regretted that move after a short while. You basically have a 6-speed with the R-11 and you don't have to shift near as much. His girl friend liked the 3 on the tree better too.

I've see the Studebaker club oil recommendations but they don't match with the OEM. FoMoCo/B&W recommended "Mild EP" gear oil which was GL-3 back in 1951. If you do a smell test, you can smell the sulphur additives. It smells like crap. You can use motor oil but if you do I would recommend Aero Shell 100W aviation grade SAE 50 motor oil (NO PLUS +, it contains TCP and is bad for the sprag). This is equivalent to SAE 90 gear lubricant since the SAE rated them differently. I've used it for years it and it works without problems in my OD units but then again, I work in aviation and always have some in stock.

expavr · 06-10-2016, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miller91

From the Borg Warner O/D regarding lubrication:

I use a blend of 90 wt. GL-1 StaLube and Lucas HD Oil stablizer (75% GL1 - 25% Lucas) in the 49 Merc O/D in the truck. The Lucas cut way down on the oil weeping at the counter shaft.

06-10-2016, 10:06 AM	#22
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,629	Re: Have Fallen in Love...With My ' 51 3-spd. O/D I thought about going the "T85" route. From my experience, they are very difficult to find and expensive if you do find one. I'm still keeping my eyes open. As to Ol' Ron's point, at my age (74), I find it is psychologically impossible for me to abuse a car. I took my restored '67 Corvette 350 HP car to the local "run what ya' brung" night to see if it would break into the 14's. I think it could have, but I just couldn't bring myself to dump the clutch, power shift, and run beyond the redline that would have made it possible. I tried twice; I just couldn't do it. The '51 is the same way, the heads are mainly for looks, but the carburetion, cam, and ignition will be strictly oriented for cruisin'. If this was 1962, everything I own would be broken!

06-10-2016, 11:16 AM	#23
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,409	Re: Have Fallen in Love...With My ' 51 3-spd. O/D A friend of mine used to have a 63 Galaxy 500 with the R-11 OD. You could flail the thing with a 390 CID FE motor and it would take it no problem. He did have problems with the 9-inch rear axle though. The pinion spun a race and ruined the housing. He ended up with a super T10 B&W transmission because he just had to have a 4-speed. He regretted that move after a short while. You basically have a 6-speed with the R-11 and you don't have to shift near as much. His girl friend liked the 3 on the tree better too. I've see the Studebaker club oil recommendations but they don't match with the OEM. FoMoCo/B&W recommended "Mild EP" gear oil which was GL-3 back in 1951. If you do a smell test, you can smell the sulphur additives. It smells like crap. You can use motor oil but if you do I would recommend Aero Shell 100W aviation grade SAE 50 motor oil (NO PLUS +, it contains TCP and is bad for the sprag). This is equivalent to SAE 90 gear lubricant since the SAE rated them differently. I've used it for years it and it works without problems in my OD units but then again, I work in aviation and always have some in stock. Last edited by rotorwrench; 06-10-2016 at 11:25 AM.