Wonder if anyone would be willing to help. I am in the processing of restoring (long way until done) my father's '57 Custom, it has the heavy duty T85 transmission that was used in dual 4-barrel and F code cars. The car was disassembled years ago and now I can't find the shift levers that go on the transmission, I have found the rods that go from steering column down.
I haven't found anyone willing to sell a set would anyone be willing to lend me a set so that I can machine a duplicate set.
Thanks,
Randy
I have the standard 3 speed out of my country sedan that I replaced with a T-85 since that's what was original to the car. The shift levers appear to be the same on both trannys and each trans worked with the existing shift linkage in the car.
I have been trying to give the trans away so I guess I would give the shift levers away. Let me know what you want to do.
Pete
The shift levers in the picture appear to have grommets in them. Is that what I am seeing? If so my 3 speed tranny has no grommets where the linkage connects to the levers. The linkage rods flop around a lot where they are connected.
Yes, rubber grommets are key to getting rid of slop in the linkage Obsolete Classic Auto parts part # C3TZ-7343-A kit $4.95
Pete, those levers look correct according to the parts manual, I would really appreciate getting those from you and will try them. I am sending you a PM.
Thank you, Randy
Ok Randy I have your address, I'll pack these up and get them out in the next couple of days.
Pete
Thanks Pete.
Quote from: petew on 2014-12-03 17:45
Yes, rubber grommets are key to getting rid of slop in the linkage Obsolete Classic Auto parts part # C3TZ-7343-A kit $4.95
Those would be great. I'm assuming they will require a little larger hole to use in the 57 arms, even my 61 T85 doesn't have them. Going by the part number they are for a 63 up.
The 3 speeds from my 56 Merc and 57 Ford both had them , I believe they came that way. The part number may indicate the latest variation on them.
Early Broncos and other Fords of that era used plastic bushings so that may be another option/solution.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Pete, Can you tell me which of the two versions of speedometer gears your T85 transmission uses from the below picture.
Quote from: petew on 2014-12-04 18:19
The 3 speeds from my 56 Merc and 57 Ford both had them , I believe they came that way. The part number may indicate the latest variation on them.
Thanks Pete, I'll order a set and see how they fit..
Quote from: Randyh on 2014-12-04 19:51
Pete, Can you tell me which of the two versions of speedometer gears your T85 transmission uses from the below picture.
My T85 used the one on the right that says 57-59....
Jim, Thanks.
Randy
My T-85 is out of my 56 merc so it uses the variation in the left. The one on the right offers a much larger selection of speedo gears.
Pete
My T85 is out of a 61 390/401hp car so the 57 type speedo cable worked fine. If you need gears for the earlier 56 type you have check the ones for trucks also, the light duty truck trans used them through 1960, I had to change mine when I changed rear gears..
Is the T85 a hard transmission to find?
I hear you fellas talk about them and I was just wondering.I have a good friend out East who needs one and he is having a hard time finding one(Saying that,I am sure there are a few variations on that model)
Quote from: Jeff Norwell on 2014-12-07 06:05
Is the T85 a hard transmission to find?
I hear you fellas talk about them and I was just wondering.I have a good friend out East who needs one and he is having a hard time finding one(Saying that,I am sure there are a few variations on that model)
They are getting hard to find and there were variations. Earlier this year a member had two for sale for a friend in the for sale section, I believe they were in Texas. I was just lucky that a friend bought a 61 Starliner 390/401hp and didn't like the overdrive so I got it when he put in a 4 speed top loader. They are pretty much bullet proof, I also had one in my 57 back in the late sixties after blowing numerous standard 3 speeds.
Note: many T85 use a different output shaft yoke and they are even harder to find..
thanks Jim!
My pal is from out east and has a very nice 500 Fairlane.I have told him about this site and mentioned he should join.
Jeff
As Jim just mentioned, the T85 transmissions are bullet proof. Jim had to wait patiently for his friend to take the one out of the 61. The person was not in a rush to do the swap. I'm happy for Jim that he finally did get that one.
Back in the day I blew up a lot of the early Ford transmissions. When I installed a T85, it solved that problem for me. Every time I sold a car I took the T85 out and installed it in the next car. My old T85 was still in my possession up until just about 5 years ago. It is now in the Y block 1950 Ford that is the clone car for the one that was blown up in the movie.
Talk your friend into joining this site.
Jay
I will Jay, He is a solid fella and a good friend.
So, was the T85 regarded as a OD transmission or just a reg. 3 speed.
Just trying to gain info.
Was the truck unit a stronger piece?
Jeff
The T85 came in both overdrive and non overdrive. They do not have full synchromesh and one can not shift back into first gear without coming to a full stop.
As I have stated before, when I was working on my 57, I installed a mid 60's Ford three speed with full synchromesh. The nice thing about them is that they came with both bolt patterns built into them making it easy to bolt them in earlier Fords like FE and Y blocks.
When James was with me last week I demonstrated that many times while we were
"trying out" the 57 . You all know how it is when puling up to a traffic light and the car is still rolling and the light changes.
The mid 60's and up Ford 3 speed transmissions might be easier to locate than a T85.
Mid 80's Ford had a similar tranny with a floor shift. It was a three speed with a fourth gear that was overdrive. I have used lots of those in the past in several of my 34 Fords.
Great Info Jay! I really App. it!
we had a 66 Fairlane GT with a full synchro 3 speed, that thing was bulletproof. anyone know what the model designation was for it.
Zap- :unitedstates:
I have a spare 3 spd toploader out of a 64 Galaxie. If there is any interest let me know.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2014-12-09 13:05
I have a spare 3 spd toploader out of a 64 Galaxie. If there is any interest let me know.
The later 64 3 speed transmissions were top loaders and were full synchromesh. They were the only ones made with the single bolt pattern. If you post a picture of I I could identify it for you. Depending on what Jeff's friend is building, that could be just the one that he needs. Jay
Jay, It does have the single narrow bolt pattern and it is full syncromesh....I think. Here it is. I bought it off ebay with a Hurst Indy Shifter for $75 + shipping. I don't know much about it but it shifts and the gears turn freely. I found a local deal on a 4spd toploader before I got around to using it.
That's the one. I'm going to call Jeff and tell him to look at your picture. His friend should use that if he can't find the T85. (depending on what he's building) Jay
The T85 design was what the T10 four speed came from..
The three speed all syncro top loader was a 303. They did have some models with a dual bolt pattern
Guys,I will pass the pic on.Trent Steeves is my pals name and he is waiting to be accepted on the site.
He owns a 57 500,very very nice car.They are swapping out the 272 and installing a 312 2x4 engine.
The trans he is looking for is not a Ford car, BUT a very famous race car that used a T85.
I can't say much more than that(and probably too much already)
But, I can tell you that the T85 seems to kick but over any earlier Ford transmission.I know it's not a part of this board, but I DETEST 39 Transmissions in my early Hotrods.
In the future I would certainly use a T85 or the later Ford unit with OD.
I wrecked (13) 57 Ford manual 3 speed transmissions as a teenager. I finally found a T-10 in 1966. 428...no problems. I think Ford knew about the 3 spd problem so they they designed their own transmissions. My understanding is that the Ford toploaders (3 or 4) are stronger than the Borg Warner designs across the board. Not trying to sell anything here but I bought the 3 spd I have because I felt it was an improvement over the BW-T85 design plus 1st gear is syncronized. I wouldn't replace any toploader with a BW trans.
Disclaimer: The previous statement is based on hear say, foggy memory, and factory engineering bias. (In 1966 I could buy a 3 spd transmission for $35).
Jeff: I think many of the early 55-57 TBirds had T85's. I'll bet that was the trans they ran in 57 Ford Nascars..
Lynn: The early Ford three speeds were BW designed but built by Ford. The Ford top loaders are by best the best trans over any BW. I went with the T85 because I wanted the overdrive, I like running the lower gears for the mountainous area I live in and then need the OD when I hit the freeways. Back when I was blowing the Ford three speeds up in the 60's they were $25 at my favorite junk yard. Now we are dating ourselves :003:
Great info guys!
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2014-12-09 19:21
Jeff: I think many of the early 55-57 TBirds had T85's. I'll bet that was the trans they ran in 57 Ford Nascars..
Back when I was blowing the Ford three speeds up in the 60's they were $25 at my favorite junk yard. Now we are dating ourselves :003:
Before I got the BW T8, I was blowing up the Ford transmissions so often that I had to carry a spare in the trunk. In those days I replaced a lot of transmissions on the side of the road with a flashlight. When I could not afford the $15 for one at the junk yards, I was forced to learn how to take them apart and rebuild them with pieces from my junk pile.
Gotta love this site!!! BTW I have never "blogged" before. This is fun...thanks guys.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2014-12-09 20:05
Gotta love this site!!! BTW I have never "blogged" before. This is fun...thanks guys.
Me either, I don't do any social media stuff, tweeting, facebook, texting and what have you, The two forums I belong to are my limit..
Pete, The levers arrived today, can't thank you enough. It looks like I can make them work with a change in the bushing.
Randy
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2014-12-09 15:39
The three speed all syncro top loader was a 303. They did have some models with a dual bolt pattern
Jim, what is that kind of transmission? I am totally puzzled with the different Ford standard trans. I have exactly that double bolt pattern trans and it has synchro in first also. gears look bulletproof. there is a C3*** number stamped on and cast in the housing. That should mean it is a 63 built unit ?!? is that a T10 or what is the 303. I haven't heard about these. can you give me some light ?
mine came from a 1957 292.
I as well destroyed several 57 3 spd tranny components. That is why my 57 Ford forever is"Clusterbuster". I was always replacing the cluster gears in those 3 speeds.
You are welcome Randy, as I said before they are identical to the levers on my T-85.
Pete
Quote from: djfordmanjack on 2014-12-12 11:53
Jim, what is that kind of transmission? I am totally puzzled with the different Ford standard trans. I have exactly that double bolt pattern trans and it has synchro in first also. gears look bulletproof. there is a C3*** number stamped on and cast in the housing. That should mean it is a 63 built unit ?!? is that a T10 or what is the 303. I haven't heard about these. can you give me some light ?
mine came from a 1957 292.
Sorry for the late reply, storm knocked the cable out for a few hours. Your trans is the 303 type with a top cover. They were used in many Ford cars and trucks in the 60's-70's mostly behind 289-302. The narrow bolt pattern was the most common and the dual was rare. The T10 was a Borg Warner 4 speed and has a side cover.
The C3 on the casting could be any year, that just means the casting was first made in 63 and could have been used for many models and years after. The exact original application information should be on a metal tag attached to the trans.
thank you for the information! It can be difficult here in Europe to order spare parts, like seals, bearings, when you can't even identify what you have and there's nobody around to do so. I am not so familiar with the Ford standard transmissions except the 37-48 Flathead stuff. I have been rebuilding ( please forgive me) Muncies of all kinds for friends and customers, mostly because those are junk :003: ( or at least they have their share of troubles, with bearings, shift forks and synchros)
Quote from: djfordmanjack on 2014-12-12 15:44
thank you for the information! It can be difficult here in Europe to order spare parts, like seals, bearings, when you can't even identify what you have and there's nobody around to do so. I am not so familiar with the Ford standard transmissions except the 37-48 Flathead stuff. I have been rebuilding ( please forgive me) Muncies of all kinds for friends and customers, mostly because those are junk :003: ( or at least they have their share of troubles, with bearings, shift forks and synchros)
If you can find the metal tag this info might help identify your model:
http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/3speedidchart.htm