120 mile round trip

[JSRTUDOR]

I'm proud to say my non-rebuilt 223ci. 3 on the tree with 87500 miles cruised along at 60 mph for 120 miles (60 each way) with only a little smoke and a few little oil streaks running down the motor! She is screaming at that speed with the 3.89 or so gearing, but she really seamed happy at around 55-60. Lower speeds she's a little grumpier! Can't wait till I get the 272 in it!

[Daves55Sedan]

You might be able to sell that 223 I-block 6 cyl on fordsix.com.

[miker98038]

Use the money from selling the six to find an o/d trans (if you don't have one). The 3.89/272/ o/d will work fine on the road.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by miker98038

Use the money from selling the six to find an o/d trans (if you don't have one). The 3.89/272/ o/d will work fine on the road.

Or keep the manual trans and swap out the old rearend for a '57/58/59, 9" banjo housing rearend where you have many more options for gear ratios available. I had a 2.91:1 ratio that came out of a '58. But even 3.25:1 ratio would be a huge improvement RPM wise. You can additionally convert the 9" to posi-trac if you wanted.

[JSRTUDOR]

I would love an overdrive.

[Dobie Gillis]

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They're out there, just keep an eye on eBay and antique/classic car publications. If you have a 6 cylinder or 272 y-block all you need is the T-86. It's the lighter duty (and lighter weight) version of the 2 Borg-Warner OD transmissions, but still plenty stout. The T-85 is the nearly bulletproof heavy duty version but would be overkill behind a small engine.

[harleyjohn45]

Originally Posted by JSRTUDOR

I'm proud to say my non-rebuilt 223ci. 3 on the tree with 87500 miles cruised along at 60 mph for 120 miles (60 each way) with only a little smoke and a few little oil streaks running down the motor! She is screaming at that speed with the 3.89 or so gearing, but she really seamed happy at around 55-60. Lower speeds she's a little grumpier! Can't wait till I get the 272 in it!

I was told my 56 ford with a 292 has a 330 rear gear. It's a 2 speed automatic, I may change it out to an AOD.

[paul2748]

A mistake made by new owners of 51-58 Fords with automatic - they are three speeds, not two. In drive, the car starts out in 2nd, but 1st gear is available if you start out in low. Automatic 56's usually had a 3.30 rear gear.

Originally Posted by harleyjohn45

I was told my 56 ford with a 292 has a 330 rear gear. It's a 2 speed automatic, I may change it out to an AOD.