Tranny on bench

[peanutman]

Pulled my tranny today and bad news, giong to need the cluster gear, first gear and reverse is showing some wear. The gear that first engages with is chewed up half way around and first almost as bad.

Anyway iv'e been thinking i have a t85-n. #s on tranny is T89b-148 is this a t85 or a t89 three speed, it has the overdrive. Can someone help me identify and should i try to find parts or go for a rebuilt tranny.

I know that cluster gear is going to set me back some bucks or i can get a rebuilt tranny for around $1200. I will also check all the wrecking yards maybe i will get lucky. Also alleycat thinks he may have a t85-n if thats what mine is. I hear parts are hard to get for these tranny's
Any suggestions would help.

[AlleyCat]

peanutman, your trans sounds like it's pretty sad. You are already looking at a counter shaft ( cluster gear ) and mainshaft gears.If I remember correctly 1st is scynchronized in these trannys and if so the scynchronizer for 1st is most likely history.The 2-3 scynchronizer won't be far behind it.After you add bearings, seals and gaskets you most likely would do better with the rebuilt tranny.Just my

[peanutman]

Yea thanks for the info. Keep me informed if you have one of these trannys. To hear guys on the site talk they are hard to find in the salvage yard.

Reading all the info on these borg warners with overdrive i wonder if there is a match in a different auto maker or are they just talking about the overdrive which i think they are. I really don't want to go back with a standard 303- want to keep my overdrive. And not sure but i beleave 1st is not sinc but 2nd and 3rd are thats the reason for the common 1st gear wear and damage.

[fordman]

would a regular 3.03 fit in its place? those arent hard to find

[peanutman]

Fordman i think it will bolt up but the t85 is longer. If i could find a doner truck with the long wheel base i would need the front drive shaft and shift linkages. I really want to keep my overdrive but my budget may not allow it.

[AlleyCat]

Craig, a 3.03 is shorter.This pic is a 3.03 beside a T85N.



peanutman, I'm going to try to get out to where that trans is tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

[fordman]

yeah it wouldnt work then. thats too bad. i know what budgetting means. the only other alternative is to get an automatic to replace it with. i think that will fit in place of a t85 without any driveshaft mods.the autos are sligthly longer than the bellhousings and 3.03 so it should work. but then you would have to get a auto column.

[peanutman]

Fordman just replaced the column with a nice new rebuilt. Alleycat keep me posted. 3.03 my be my only choice or fork over $1200 for a rebuilt. if i could find another tranny with different problems maybe i could build me one with parts from both. My overdrive unit works like a dream. I hear those are even harder to find.

[averagef250]

How bad are the gears? Are the gear faces galled with heat marks or is it just pitting in the faces?

If they're severely galled they'll whine, but pitting won't hurt anything. It isn't like new, but might get you buy for awhile.