Overdrive in 47 Coupe

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Are there adapters to mate a 49-53 overdrive up to a 59A block?

[Bob C]

It would be easier to use a 1949-E51 Mercury trans,no adapter needed both require open drive.


Bob

[G.M.]

I prefer a Columbia 2 speed rear that's made to
fit. G.M.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

A Columbia might be a little hard to find and more high-buck than I can handle.

[TJ]

Put in a Mitchell. Much cheaper than a Columbia and more durable.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

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Have heard a lot about Mitchell but not looked into it. Where do they mount in the driveline, and does the torque tube have to be altered?

[cas3]

the wider/late columbias like you would use on your coupe are the most common and cheapest. if you just shift manually with a fuel valve as many do, and not have all the real controls, they are around

[4dFord/SC]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

Have heard a lot about Mitchell but not looked into it. Where do they mount in the driveline, and does the torque tube have to be altered?

It comes with its own torque tube: http://mitchelloverdrivemfg.com/prod...v-8-overdrive/

[Ol' Ron]

I prefer the Mitchel as well. It's a modern unit and trouble free. The Columbia, unless rebuilt and strengthened can be a problem

[Drbrown]

Here's my Borg-Warner R10 mounted in the enclosed driveshaft, 8 inches in front of the banjo. At best, rare as hen's teeth. There's a 90 yr old guy in Ohio that use to fab these. For all I know he's still at it.

[Planojc]

Mitchell is the way to go. Easy to install.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Thanks for all the replies. After checking the cost of doing this project, I have decided to just drive my coupe like it is now. Thanks again.

[Ol' Ron]

There is another option. Convert to open drive rear axle, and dozens of transmissions become available.

[4dFord/SC]

Another option is a 3.54 rear end.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

I do have a good 53 Ford rear axle that I could use but it would also require the later springs and it has a smaller bolt circle for the rims. I would still need an adapter plate to mate whatever transmission up to the 59A block. The older I get, the more likely that the project will never get finished. And at 80, I want to DRIVE !

[Frank Miller]

Probably not cheap either but keep your eye out for an LZ overdrive. I think this was the bog warner but had the end for the torque tube.

[TJ]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

I do have a good 53 Ford rear axle that I could use but it would also require the later springs and it has a smaller bolt circle for the rims. I would still need an adapter plate to mate whatever transmission up to the 59A block. The older I get, the more likely that the project will never get finished. And at 80, I want to DRIVE !

At 80 you should spend your money. Enjoy what's left. "Ain't no pockets on a casket".

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by TJ

At 80 you should spend your money. Enjoy what's left. "Ain't no pockets on a casket".

Yup. Last winter I had the engine rebuilt and also converted to tube shocks. Just spent the money, but it was hard to let somebody else do it. This winter it is off to the upholstery shop for new interior, new windows and new weatherstripping. Cha-Ching!

The toughest thing for me with getting old is accepting the fact that I probably won't get a major project done by myself anymore. And those are the most expensive ones! When you have spent all your life fixing used stuff instead of buying new it is hard, really hard, to fork out cash to have somebody else screw it up. I still want to screw it up myself !!!!

[supereal]

I have a Ryan 3 to 1 OD in my '47. I am not sure they are still made. I use mine on the highway only. A word of caution: if you do lots of highway driving, but sure that the brakes and handling are in top shape, and that you have a "third" stoplight installed. I live two miles from I-80, but try to stay off in my '47. It simply isn't safe to mix old vehicles with today's traffic and try to stay at the usual 70-80 mph required.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

That is a good idea, Super. I had to drive this one home along I-80 from a little town in South Dakota. I kept it at about 50mph not knowing how it would go, and I got passed by a lot of cars. Most of them were courteous and I got a lot of 'thumbs up' but it was a light traffic day. The suspension is in good shape but still it is stock with no rack & pinion, radial tires, disc brakes, etc. so SLOW is good enough and safer. But it would still be nice to cruise at any speed and have the engine at a comfortable speed too.