transmission interchangability

[satelite]

Will a 53 Ford overdrive transmission fit in place of a non overdrive transmission?. Will the drive shaft have to be cut ?. The vehicle is a 1953 Ford Pickup with a Mercury engine. It currently has a regular column shift transmission. The overdrive transmission is also column shift.
Don in SC

[Russ/40]

No need to cut the shaft. Both are the same length.

[Bob C]

What is the OD trans out of?

Bob

[satelite]

the overdrive trany is a 53 Ford

[Mac VP]

The 110" wheelbase pickups used the short tail transmission, and the 118" wheelbase truck used the longer tail housing. I think the overdrive trans had the same overall length as the 118" WB type trans. Using the overdrive trans in the short wheelbase truck that had the regular (short) trans will most likely require a shorter driveshaft.

As a side note, I assume you were contemplating using a 53 Ford truck overdrive trans. If the donor trans is from a 53 Ford car, you will have many issues beyond its length that are going to prevent its use in your pickup......in other words, no can do.

[satelite]

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Mac
I think the OD transmission is out of a 1950 Ford car. Does this make a difference in your recommendation?.
Don in SC

[Mac VP]

Don, absolutely it will make a difference. The input shaft alone is bigger diameter and an inch longer on the truck transmission. Your truck has a deeper bell housing which also incorporates the rear support of the engine. So, you can't just swap the bell housing from the 50 Ford either. Lastly, you also can't swap input shafts either as their ball bearings are different. You really need to hunt up an overdrive trans from the 53-59 F100 pickup, and they're rather scarce these days.

[satelite]

Thanks Mac you have been a great help.
Thanks guys, as usual the help from this site is great.
Don in SC