Anyone put a 3spd OD in a 40's Ford?

I'm looking at a very nice 40 Deluxe coupe which is all original. One of the few things I want to do is install an OD trans. I want to retain the column shift and make the swap invisible. If you've done this, what trans did you use. I assume it will require an open drive shaft an after market rear trans mount and a trans adapter. I'd use a Columbia but they seem to be golden. Tell me your story. Thanks,

 

Try a chev 3 speed OD with an adapter to the flathead. Had one in my 39 with a floor shift.

 

You will have cut the frame X member out of it. You will lose all the frame's torsional stifness. Just put some taller gears in it and enjoy your car.

 

A Mitchell Overdrive would be my choice to keep the car as original as possible.

 

You do not have to remove the frame center section. Remove the early Ford trans mount and trim the center as necessary. You also do not have to split the wishbones. I do not do pictures, but my car has a Saganaw with a hurst shifter ijn it and I did not have to do any of that. It is the same car that had the OD in it.

 

I should of added that a length of angle and a stock GM trans mount are required.

 

I'd try a 49-51 Ford or Merc, as mentioned. They'll set you back about three bills for a decent one.

 

You will have cut the frame X member out of it.

 

I used a non/OD '49/'50 Merc trans in my '47 Ford Coupe a few years ago and did it along the lines described by SKIDMARKS......used the '47 side shifter cover and forks to mate with the stock '47 linkage. The neat thing about the '49/'50 Merc trans is that at the front it replicates the earlier units, including the clutch shaft/fork setup. Not having been an OD unit, I don't know how the clearance is with OD housing/governor/solenoid.

As for the mount, as I recall, I drilled out the rivets from the bottom plate, removed it temporarily, built a suitable rear mount plate and used a common GM trans mount insulator. After installing the trans/driveshaft etc. I used grade 8 bolts and reinstalled the bottom plate.

oh, btw, I did also install a Chassis Engineering rear parallel spring kit and and open drive Ford rear end.

Ray

 

I have a Mitchell in my 40 and love it

 

My 40 with the Mitchell makes for a great driver

 

This car looks just like the one I'm interested in. Are Mitchells hard to come by, and what is one worth?

 

Mitchell Overdrive for '32 to '48 Fords:

http://macsautoparts.com/campaign_product.asp?camid=f30&pn=JS0R3CHL1140749&quick_order=true

 

Thanks

 

'41 Lincoln overdrive trans is closed driveline & column shift.... but it doesn't agree with the arrangement of the frame very well at all....

 

I ended up buying a '39 Deluxe instead of the '40 so now everything has changed. I'm going to start a new thread about a Ford Ranger 3 spd OD conversion. Thanks to everyone who replied.