Overdrive trans to bolt to a 302 V8 bell housing?

[ny-wolcott]

Hi,
I have a '73 E200 van with a 302 V8 & 3 speed std trans. I'm looking for a 3 or 4 (preferred) speed standard trans WITH OVERDRIVE that bolts to the stock bellhousing. I'm trying to improve the lower gearing and highway mileage. I know I'll have to shorten the driveshaft and use a Hurst shifter.

Do any of you wizards know if one is available, or where I should look to find out.

Thanks in advance.

Dick

[averagef250]

There may be something oddball out there you could find from a mid-eaighties truck or something, but I don't believe you have any other real option than an M5R2 or a ZF from an 87-96 ford 2wd truck. They have an integral bellhousing and a hydraulic clutch.

[FORDification]

'75-'78 Granadas and some mid '70s to early '80s F150s and Econoline vans had 3-spd overdrives. Here's a couple listed on E-bay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mus ... 7513QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-4-S ... dZViewItem

Here's a link to check out:

http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/imposters.htm

[xxxtina63]

SROD (Single Rail OverDrive) It's a three speed manual with an overdrive 4th gear. Not the strongest, but fairly common.