Swap meet season is almost here, and I will be looking for a 4 speed for performance on my sleeper project (4 door 56, with a VS57 Supercharged 312). I want the car to run at the drag strip as well as take it to cruise in's (and travel on the highway). What are suggestions, if any, and what should I look for a the swap meets? So far, most of my experience has been with the stock 3 speed or stock Fordo in mid fifties cars and trucks. Never had stepped into this realm of making modifications like a different transmission and all. Comments appreciated.

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

You could go with either a four speed or a five speed. If you do a lot of highway cruising, the five speed may be the answer. If you want to go with a four speed, the T & C (toploader) is probably your best bet. All of them should work with only some minor mods. They are two basic ones, the super duty and the rest. There are also ratio variations.The super duty ones came with the 427's and 428's and have the big input and output shafts. All the rest of the motors (from 289's to 390's have the "rest). Go back into the archives for the mods required and the different front bolt patterns. All can be used behind a Y. There are a number of rear housings, determined mainly by shifter location. See  www.davidkeetoploaders.com

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

modern day tremec 5 speed! ala Pat Fleischman.

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Toploader. Watch out for the overdrive toploaders; they've got wide gear ratios and they're not as strong.



But a good toploader is going to be expensive. Expect to pay 600 or more.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Cross your fingers for me, but I'm going to attempt a T-56. I got it for $200, and it wasn't one of those shady deals, either!

1957 Custom 300 in Grand Rapids, Mi

Probably should go with the 5 speed since your doing a sleeper.

Its a better ratio of geardown availiable from the  5 speed

I"m using a T 10 wide ratio 4 speed in my T Bird.I"m also using the original  3 speed Bird floorshift to control the 4 forward gears.

Oldmics

I also like the T-5 five speed. I have a Mustang T-5 in my '56 Customline and John Mummert sells a nice adapter kit that makes it easy to install. Also, G-Force Transmissions can modify the T-5 to handle all the power you could ever possibly put out from a Y-Block.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I'm just finishing up a T5 conversion on my 57 Custom 300. The reason I went with the T5 is for the 5th gear overdrive. I'm running a 4:11 and it would just scream running 70mph down the xway.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

Agreed.

If you're willing to go through the trouble of installing a 4 spd, why not do 5 and get overdrive. Not to mention that a new 5 spd can typically be purchased for less than a rebuilt top loader.


Lawrenceville, GA

Fellas, after 2 and a half years, I had forgotten about this post. Since then, I have decided to go with a T85 and R11 overdrive unit. Found one down in Florida, and the planetary gears are in VERY good shape. Have at it...the T5 is a great trans too.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com