ClassicCar

steveo

I have a 47 pickup that I am working on. I would like to convert from a colum shift to a floor shift, it is a 308 with a 3 speed overdrive 2 lever transmission.

any ideas?

thanks

Steve

Jon B

Isn't that the Borg-Warner transmission? I believe a Jeep or Studebaker truck used the same basic transmission, and their floor shift levers would interchange.

steveo

T86E-1A on the casting on the transmission.

Hudson308

The two-lever transmissions are MUCH easier to find shifters for, because most conventional 3-speed transmissions once used that configuration. There are probably a few OEM 50's 3spd. truck shifters that would work. "3 on the tree" became pretty popular by 1960, however. I'd also be surprised if one of the Hust Indy "universal" 3spd. shifters once available from popular speed shops wouldn't work. The single-lever transmissions, however, are a whole 'nuther story. I've never seen a floor shifter for those.

Uncle Josh

Some of the old trucks had a thumb lever which released an interlock for reverse. That could easily be rigged to pull the cable lever.

mars55

If you are adding a floor shift to a overdrive transmission, you want checkout this thread.

http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12420&highlight=floor+shift

PaceRacer50

the best aftermarket floor shifter ever made for the 3-speed transmissions was the Hurst MasterShifter. its made exactly like the Hurst CompetitionPlus 4-speed shifters but for three speeds. You can powershift these things and

NEVER worry about missing a shift. Its not the POS like the INDY or any

of the other cheep made aftermarket 3-speed shifters.

I believe Pontiac used these on the Ford toploader 3speeds that came

standard in all of their musclecars until they switched over to the GM Muncie

3-speeds in 70-71. Very high quality shifter that works forever.

Hurst use to make these for the Ford and GM based 3-speeds and 3-speeds with overdrive. I have one for the ford 3.03 toploader overdrive in my basement for a future project.

these do pop up from time to time on Evilbay for pretty decent prices.

You would have to modify the mounting brackets to clear the overdrive

components but it would be the slickest shifting 3-speed you ever drove

once completed.

Like running a hot chainsaw thru butter!

later,

PaceRacer50

tombia

As I read his post it says he HAS A 2 LEVER. That is 52 thru 54 which is as Jon B says is is the same as Jeep and several other vehicles that used that trans. Check your trans # with a Jeep parts supplier and they should be able to help. Very easy job. I have seen it done several times, but don't know the proper parts #'s.

Hudson308

Uncle Josh wrote:

Some of the old trucks had a thumb lever which released an interlock for reverse. That could easily be rigged to pull the cable lever.

That's good info to know, Uncle Josh. I'll tuck that away in my head somewhere I won't lose it. Yeah, that's it. Wait... what was that? :eek:

Hudson308

tombia wrote:

As I read his post it says he HAS A 2 LEVER. That is 52 thru 54 which is as Jon B says is is the same as Jeep and several other vehicles that used that trans. Check your trans # with a Jeep parts supplier and they should be able to help. Very easy job. I have seen it done several times, but don't know the proper parts #'s.

Tom, looks like PaceRacer was talkin' two-levers. Sounds like there a couple ways to go with these, depending on what kinda look & usage he's after.

steveo

I just want a reliable shifter that works good, I saw one installed in a truck and the guy had to notch out the top of the frame rail to make it fit, I'm not sure thats a good idea. thanks for all the info, I will check out the jeep shifter.

Any more ideas?

T.L.Richter

Steve, wait till I get home in may and we can build a shifter mount. The hurst shifter is the best made, just have to find one. Or you can have the ford 5 speed that I got from the Kid next door. Just have to do an adapter plate for that, and a drive shaft.

tom

steveo

I suppose I will have to haul all your stuff back before you will help! I planned on having it on the road by May!!!

T.L.Richter

Steve, do the old stock car trick, mount a rod on each lever, sticking up. leave the transmission cover off of the floorboards. Works, just takes getting used to.

And yes you will probably have to help us move home.

`Hudsonator

I actually have a 2 lever/OD transmission sitting on the engine stand, ready to concoct some arrangement to put the Hurst Indy 3 speed shifter on.

But just haven't been motivated to figure it out. Its a huge plus not to have to tear down a good transmission to do the Jeep shifter, milled fork arrangement to be assured of positive lockout in reverse. You can't take out the side shifter mechanisms without disassembling the whole transmission.

The problem with the Hurst bracketry and the OD transmission is the OD solenoid - its smack in the way. Like I said, I just haven't tackled that situation, but have taken some cursory looks at the problems.

Whomever beats me to Hurst the solution, please be kind enough to clue the rest of us in.

Mark

PaceRacer50

Mark,

have you thought of using a overdrive unit out of a 42-47 Hudson on the

back of your 2-lever tranny? I am not sure its possible to use the single

lever OD unit on a 2- lever tranny but the early ones had the components

on the passengers side of the transmission. this was done to clear the

drivemaster units that were under the drivers side floor on the 42-47

Hudsons.

May be worth looking into but In know Clutch Guy would know the answer

right off the top of his head about mixing-n-matching these parts.

On a side note I am just about done with the 50 for racing season this year.

You need to mark the day of May 23rd for the Orphan drag race in Beenbloosom, Indiana this spring. The Studebaker drivers club guys are

doing another one this year. Hope you can get to this one. I'll need a

pit crew to help out.

later,

PaceRacer50

Jon B

Okay, I've just been in communication with Jeffery Gould, who did mount a floor shift lever into a 3-speed, 2-lever Hudson transmission, 30 years ago. The engine was from (I believe) a '52 Commodore (eight) with the later, 2-lever transmission. It was installed in a 1935 Hudson, where it resides to this day. (Before anyone asks: you cannot install the overdrive version of the 2-lever transmission into a 1930's Hudson because it's too long, and crashes into the X-member of the frame.)

Here's what Jeffery says about the floor shifter you need, and what mods have to be made to the tranny to do this. He emphasizes that he's relying on his memory of something he did 30 years ago, so bear this in mind! (Do you recall details of everything you did thirty years ago? I don't!):

"Both Jeep and Studebaker shifters will work. I believe they are the same on the T-90 trans from the late 40's through the mid 60's. The length and shape of the lever changes so you find the one that best fits your needs. You just need to match the shifter bolt pattern up with the cover off the Hudson transmission. The correct way is to remove the gears to get the side shifters out, weld up the side holes, replace the gears then set the shifter in place. I can not guarantee this as it has been a long time, but as I remember, you can also, without removing the gears, pull the side shifters out as far as you can then cut them off. Then slide them back into place and the cut off shafts will clear the inside of the case. you can then slide them out. Then put bolts with sealant through the holes and place the top shifter on."

So, it looks like a pretty clean and simple modification. You just need to be sure you have a shift lever that will correctly fit your cabin and not (for example) crash into the dashboard when you make your shifts.

tombia

Jon B wrote:

Okay, I've just been in communication with Jeffery Gould, who did mount a floor shift lever into a 3-speed, 2-lever Hudson transmission, 30 years ago. The engine was from (I believe) a '52 Commodore (eight) with the later, 2-lever transmission. It was installed in a 1935 Hudson, where it resides to this day. (Before anyone asks: you cannot install the overdrive version of the 2-lever transmission into a 1930's Hudson because it's too long, and crashes into the X-member of the frame.)

Here's what Jeffery says about the floor shifter you need, and what mods have to be made to the tranny to do this. He emphasizes that he's relying on his memory of something he did 30 years ago, so bear this in mind! (Do you recall details of everything you did thirty years ago? I don't!):

"Both Jeep and Studebaker shifters will work. I believe they are the same on the T-90 trans from the late 40's through the mid 60's. The length and shape of the lever changes so you find the one that best fits your needs. You just need to match the shifter bolt pattern up with the cover off the Hudson transmission. The correct way is to remove the gears to get the side shifters out, weld up the side holes, replace the gears then set the shifter in place. I can not guarantee this as it has been a long time, but as I remember, you can also, without removing the gears, pull the side shifters out as far as you can then cut them off. Then slide them back into place and the cut off shafts will clear the inside of the case. you can then slide them out. Then put bolts with sealant through the holes and place the top shifter on."

So, it looks like a pretty clean and simple modification. You just need to be sure you have a shift lever that will correctly fit your cabin and not (for example) crash into the dashboard when you make your shifts.

And that is all it takes. As they say KISS. Jon that is't Carl Webers car he was talking about, was it.?

ClassicCar

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

We'd love to hear from you! info@classiccar.com