Robert aka La troca This is what the 3 speed OD Muncie looks like. I'm told that when in OD, its like a 2.25 rear end. Very sweet. This was a very common unit and parts are available from... like the studebaker clubs etc. All makes used them. There are many threads on the internet for rebuilding and troubleshooting them. The 55 chevy it came out of just had a toggle on the lower dash. Nate likes them on the floor shifter. Flashlight
Most often referred to as BorgWarner OD units. The W.G. DIV. on the tailhousing in the first picture stands for Warner Gear Division. They were an option up through 1972 with the late model fully sychronized trans one being the most sought after. They were a 30% OD unit so take 0.7 times whatever rear gear you have for a final ratio. The standard rear gear with an OD equipped car/truck was 4.11 which gives a 2.88 final which is a great road gear. If behind an engine that can stand 28mph in first gear they are a 6 speed trans but were usually used in 1st, 2nd, 2nd Over, 3rd, and 3rd Over which comes to 5 speeds. Two bits of advice are to make sure the solenoid is good before buying one since solenoids sell for more than the original OD trans does and second is to make sure there is a POSITIVE reverse lock out because it takes ONE time to trash the OD if engaged when in reverse. I would never have a toggle switch controlled unit but always run through the governor so the OD automatically drops out when speed decreases to below 28mph. Everyone seems to have the T5 five speed on their brain right now and it is a piece of crap trans behind anything with any power at all and a hassle to install while the old BW unit is a direct bolt in and dead simple to wire up.
I think the Solinoid is similar sized but on the other side of the tranny, this may be the motor that engages the OD. Evan would know better. The Borg-warner-muncie is a solid bullet proof tranny. Believe it or not, it is still on the original 55' Chevy Sedan 235 blue flame it came out of. I was wanting to sell them as a pair. They came out of a beautiful original 55' sedan all restored. The new owner wanted a 350 so he pulled these out. I was saving as a back-up for my 47' or 53', but I need the space. SWMBO wants to put some of her things in the garage, she's really extending her turf!
Yes....SWMBO insists. I would prefer to sell the whole motor/clutch/bellhousing on the blue, blue flame 123. I also have the power steering/generator combo and really cool art-deco air filter unit from the 55 sedan. I hope you can see my tears here. Its clean and has the autochoke carb. I can take some pics. BOO-H00... Flashlight
Mixed Emotions A 235 with three on the tree and OVERDRIVE ! sweet ! . Trashing a stock '55 Chebby ?! WAHHHH !! . Those Borg Warner OD's were 33 % to the penny and indeed , they are the shyte ~ I welded one into the Torque Tube of my 1931 'A' Model brand F DeLuxe Pickup shop truck , & the little , almost stock ('B' cam & Head , 'C' crank) 4 banger Fleathead enginehad no problem pushing it right on down the road @ 85 MPH loaded or empty . The BIG can is the solenoid and it has two sets of points inside it that *must* be in good shape or you're headed for troubles . Using overdrive in first gear means sooner or later , you'll block it up when you try to back up . I , personally , don't like / use/retain the governor as 2nd gear in OD makes it climb hills like nothing without straining your weeny stock engine . Putting the OD cable and switch controls on your floor shift lever , makes it ever so much more useable IMO but then I drive and work my vehicles more than most do . BTW : I like the dual outlet exhaust manifold too ! . I'd KILL for a Truckstell overdrive for my '49 .
-NOW- It Appears A few months after I sell off my '49 . The buyer appear to have decided ti retain the parts I wanted back that he said I'd get ~ he's stopped returning my calls completely . What I get for being a nice guy and almost giving it to him .
Borg Warner means quality! The Borg Warner tranny Is it posseble Nate to innerchange this very big tranny with OD into a chevy truck , i mean will it fit the into the cabfloor as a bolt in solution on the torgue Tube or are modifications required ? Martinius.
Torque Tube Overdrive IIRC , the ' Truckstell ' overdrive until required a shorter Torque Tube , it's been too many years since I've seen one to remember correctly . All I can tell you is this : overdrive has always been a welcome addition to me ~ it requires some doing to get it installed and sorted out but even the Leycock hydraulic overdrives (old MG's & Volvos) with their issues , were well worth the effort .
BW tranny ? Evan In your resumè your refer to the BW , but is there another BW tranny model you mean then the one with the OD ? Incase will such a transmission fit the torque tube solution ? Martinius
