3 on tree two on floor

[champdog]

Hi All. So I have a Question on my tranny. It is a 3 on the tree and it free weels in 1 then in 2 after 33 mph you can let off the petal and shift into 2 od or shift to 3 and then go into 3 od. I have never hear of anything like that before. Has anyone have info on this. and how rare are they. Anyway it works well and have 300k on it. Thanks Champdog

[fordman]

a brownie box? out of a big truck?

[fmartin_gila1]

Sounds like you have the older OD unit by Borg Warner. Millions of them made and installed as an option on almost every brand made from the 30s till sometime in the 70s when they were declared unsafe because of the free-wheel feature. Go to Yahoo Groups, find the 1900-79 Ford Pickup croup.In the file section, there is the manual that covers all aspects of the tranny you have, and you can download it.
Fred

[edselehr]

Sounds like the T-85 Borg-Warner tranny to me. If you don't like the freewheeling, pull the Overdrive lever and you will lock it out (no more freewheeling) but no more OD. This is a great tranny, one of the best stick shifts I've ever owned (had it in a '69 F-100 and in my '58 Edsel). I just cruised from Portland OR to Dearborn MI and back with my Edsel, towing a 16-foot 1962 Shasta trailer. The T-85 was in OD the entire trip and never had a problem. Just gotta know when the car wants to be in OD and when it doesn't. (generally it does). Also, the OD feature makes your tranny a semi-automatic; in city driving drop it into 2nd and let the tranny shift in and out of OD as needed - no constant shifting at moderate speeds.

Enjoy!

[champdog]

It is a fantastic transmission. As I said It has300k on it and runs like a dream. my Clutch on the other hand needs replacing. I am considering going to a Auto, but It goes 75 at 1900rpms in 3 od and can pull a train in first. And your right in town all i usually need is second and od. My main problum is not the transmission its the shifting is getting reel OLD and worn out. also the collum in getting real sloppy. Thats why i am considering a swap but i am torn. Any add vice appreciated.
Champdog

[edselehr]

For the earlier column shift cars, the shift collar (the part on the steering column that is moved by the lever) wears or breaks internally and needs to be replaced. For my '58 Edsel I found the column shift cars and column automatics have functionally the same collar. This may be true for you also. (don't know what you are driving). If it is, then try to replace with a column automatic collar, since they get a lot less wear than a stick and should be in better shape. Anyway, that would be the first place I'd start.

[MaxKlinger]

Champdog,

Welcome to Fordification!

That setup is really sweet. If I were you I'd rebuild what I have and keep it, it's going to be a lot more efficient than a C6 automatic. There is an article on the site here somewhere about replacing the bushings and collars for the three-on-the-tree shifter, it seems relatively simple. I bet this is where all the slop you're seeing is coming from. If you fix the column and you're still getting a lot of slop, I'm sure you can get the T85 rebuilt - it's a very simple transmission, and definitely worth the money. Let us know how you make out. Good luck!

[fmartin_gila1]

You could also use a 3 spd floor shifter conversion. Even the Mr Gasket shifter would last a very long time since you don't have to be constantly shifting as with a straight 3 spd tranny.
Fred

[champdog]

I think Im going to try to rebuild it. It lasted this long. A good rebuild shuld give it a couple hounded k more.