I now have the stock 3 spd OD transmission in my 55 Crown, She has 1957, 312 with G heads and 57 distributor. 570 Holley SA carb. Did not do overhaul so don’t know internals. But runs good and strong. I would like to upgrade the Butter Box stock 3spd W/OD. With something more durable and have OD if possible. As I am reluctant to lean on it from past experiences with this type transmission from back in my day. I final found a tranny that would take a beating and keep on ticking, but lost to many brain cell to remember what I used. I do remember that the gears inside were thicker and fewer teeth then the stock tranny. So hopefully you all are willing two find something I can upgrade to as I always fear that broken teeth that cursed me long ago but learn fix and replace in my sleep. What would you all suggest I look for, are you are using.

You probably used a Warner Gear T-85 back in the day.  The Ford versions bolted to the Y bellhousing, and driveshaft upgrade may have to be made, depending on which T-85 was used.  They are still around today in used condition.  Today it is possible to adapt more modern T-5 and T-6 4 and 5 and 6 speed transmissions with OD.  I think Mummert sells adaptors to bolt the later trans to the Y.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I doubt the 55 had a T-85, it probably has the lighter duty trans with R10 OD. A T-85 with R11 OD is a heavy duty version. I use a T-85 from a 1961 390/401 hp and ran many back in the day, you can't blow them with a Y block.. I believe many of the early Birds also used the T-85.

I have yet to find a Ford transmission that I can't break with my Yblock except so far the one out of the Ford 7 Liter with the 31 spline output shaft.

  Vic Correnti

I doubt the 55 had a T-85, it probably has the lighter duty trans with R10 OD

If wanting to stay period correct -

A 55 most likely came through with the T86/RIO.

The T85/R11 only came through on a HP FORD and/or MERC in 1955.

ILL shows top loader T86 and below it the T85. This is a 57 ILL as the 55 BIRD used the T86.




I stand corrected -

From 'THE OTHER FORUM' -

zoegrant Posted 09-30-2012]

The 55 t-bird tranny case is stamped AF7006-B  the overdrive was R 10F-1B. This was a BW 259 tranny...side cover has 9 bolts and is rectangular in shape.three side cover corners are rounded,the lower front corner is square.

The overdrive housing is 18" long,the input shaft has 10 spines and a diameter of 1"....the output shaft has 16 spines and a diameter of 1.175". Some passenger cars 1952-1956 have similar tranny`s....

This info is from the restoration manual by Gil Baumgartner of CTCI

The T85 and BW 259 (both side loaders) can be ID'd by the side cover detail.



T85 C-1A - R11-1E (56 MERC) - BW 259 - R10F-1A (55 BIRD)

____________________________

Melly,
If your not staying period correct I might have a later model 3 speed that is fully synchro'd.

  Vic Correnti

Have 56 Truck Trans with Stock over drive clutch & bell housing  & 3  on the tree trans  Needs a seal but shifted great  I'll sell Grants Pass or  Shoot me a offer just came out of my truck

My 55 Tbird has it's original transmission.  It came with a BW T86 with an R10 Overdrive. The T86 is a small top load three speed. I have had numerous T85 transmissions.  They are larger and very tough.  The input splines are different on the big blocks.  I'm not sure a T85 would fit in a 55 Tbird tunnel without modification as the 55 tunnels are smaller.  There has never been a transmission that someone can not blow up.

Back in the day, we destroyed the smaller Ford three speeds like they were made of butter. They cost about $20 or less at a junk yard.  We called the T85 a Mercury transmission and they cost $75.  That was more than a week's pay back then.  Great memories.

Truck trans and bell housing are completely different from passenger car..

Those were the good old days, I can still picture the trans pile and digging through it for the three speeds. Finally found a T85 from a big block and never did blow that one. I'm using a T85 from a big block today in my 57. They have 23 spline input shafts.