Well I found a T-85 overdrive transmission today. I didn't get it yet because I wanted to ask you guys something. On the shifter side of the tranny there are 4 levers. The two that shift the gears and the one back on the tailshaft where the OD cable goes to. Behind the second gear shift lever is another lever that comes down from the top of the transmission that seems to be some kind of lock out system that prevents the second shift lever from moving. I have no idea what that lever does. I wonder if it can be removed and left off. Also it has more splines in the input shaft than a T-10 that was laying right beside it. I know it's just a matter of finding a clutch disk to fit that. Any ideas on all of this? It's a pretty good deal if all of this can work.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

You need to measure the length of the input shaft. Truck trannies have longer input shafts and ten splines. That sounds like it might be a car transmission.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

This one had more than 10 splines. A car one would be good. I just don't know what that extra lever was. I'm thinking that it could just be taken off. I can't imagine what a locked shift lever would do. I wish I had taken a picture of it. I might could photo shop one.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

Yeah, I know the 4th lever is where the OD cable goes. I just don't know what the 3d lever is. I tried to put a photo shopped picture on here but I never figured out how to do it. Just doesn't seem to be a way to put a PC downloaded picture on here. I've got a pic on the HAMB.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

OK, so I got this T-85. It is about an inch shorter than my existing transmission. Maybe I can live with that depending on how long the rear yolk is. The rear yolk came with it. The T-85 I got has the fine spline input shaft so I'm assuming I'll have to get a different clutch disk. What do they come in? What is the disk diameter? 10"? What about the pilot bearing? I think I've seen that it is bigger where the input shaft goes. So a later model will have to be put in the back of the crank. I assume the outside diameter (where it fits into the back of the crank) is the same. There was a way posted on how to get the pilot bearing out somewhere. I need answers and this is the place to get them. I found out that 4th lever is to prevent one being able to put the car in reverse when going from first to second gear. I'll take that off, don't need it. Anything else I should know? Thanks ..

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

Well it turns out my T-85 is actually a T-89. I guess I can make it work with some effort but don't really want to. I understand this transmission is "gold" to some old truck guys. Apparently that's what is is out of a '62 and up truck. The drive shaft yolk is broke too. No telling where one would find that and the governor is gone. I think those can be found. This may turn into an ordeal but I'm in no hurry and if I decided to get rid of it I wouldn't loose anything. Oh yeah, and the 4th lever. It's some kind of thing to keep from putting in in reverse when one goes from first to second gear. I'll just take that off.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

EJ:

Your local driveshaft shop should be able to get you a yoke.  The one local to me had a lot of them in stock, but the owner recently died and I think the shop is closed.  Take your broken one to them as a sample.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks John. I'll do that. And I was wondering if they could just cut the broke one off and weld another one on. This thing has 31 splines on it. I was also wondering if a T-10 input shaft would work since the T-10 was made from a T-85. There should be tons of them around. Thanks again ...



EJ

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

EJ:

If the driveline shop also handles clutches, they may be able to supply a disc of the correct diameter with the correct splined hub.  NAPA had a paper catalog years ago when I worked there that had pictures with dimensions for that purpose.  I would think it would be easier to find a clutch disc than a T10 shaft, and I don't know if the shaft would fit a T85, but you have a T89, you said.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

The T89 is the 3 speed (w/o OD) that the T 85  utilizes.  Key thing for you is the input shaft size, splines. and pilot bearing.   The extension of the input shaft is also critical.   Truck input is a differnt length than the car.   Plus the T85 OD and the T86 OD are also used in several other makes including Studebaker.  I have a car T86, truck T86 and a ford truck T85N and all have different input shafts.  Since I bouight all of these used, I am not sure the po were acurate in their application knowledge!  So maybe I don't jhavew what I think I have.  Although the T86 car is defionetly a car transmission.  I have a 56 sedan that also has a T86 behind a 312.    I am hoping I can put the T85N I have into my 64 PU behind the 292.  This transmission also has the non sliding rear yoke whick also indicates it is a truck version.  Good Luck.

POP

POP