I don't know if '58 is any different, but my truck yoke with universal joint fit the splines on the tail shaft. Only had to shorten driveshaft.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Hi,  The T-85 O.D. transmissions are very strong and have a curved bottom on the side cover.  I've had several of them over the years and wish I had one back.  If the side cover is rectangular, it's not a T-85.  If I remember right, one with O.D. weighs about 140 lbs.  They have the big O.D. and were used in passenger cars in the 50's for cars over 300 cubic inches.  The reason for this was that Borg Warner made all the O.D.'s for the U.S. cars and they specified their large O.D. for 300 cubes and up.  So a '56 Ford with 292 came with the small O.D. while a '56 Merc with 312 came with the large O.D.  I didn't make this up, learned it from an excellent old-time Ford mechanic who built my first 292 back in 1960, Dean McKee.  When GM came to Borg Warner and wanted a 4-speed manual box in the late 50's, they gutted the T-85 and made it into a 4-speed, the T-10.  Of course Borg Warner later sold the T-10's to Ford, Studebaker, etc.  After a few yers, Ford wanted a stronger 4-speed, and they developed the top loaders.  Hope this is helpful, Nick Brann - K.C., MO

Dennis or anybody else,

if I get a car OD and do the input shaft swap do I have to do anything to the other end, output shaft, to get it to work with my driveshaft?  I know I will have to shorten my drive shaft but anything else?

1958 F100 292

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs."

"Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice."

-Henry Ford

Only second and third got the brass synchros. You had to double clutch a T89 to get it into first when you were rolling.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Does anybody know/recall if  the T89 has a synconized 1st gear?? I know the T85 sure don't!!!

Michael

Sandy Valley, NV

The T85 has quite a few similarities to the T89. It is also is a stronger transmission. The T85 and T89 both use a 9 bolt side cover. The T86 was the one with the tin cover, The T86 was limited to about 300 cu in engines. The T85 was used in the police interceptor and the T89 was used in the 60's on 390s. Before you try swapping parts, you need to get a Ford parts book. They made a dozen input shaft/cluster gear tooth count combinations. The weak part of the T86 was the cluster gear, but the good part was it only got low and reverse. I just had to remember to park where I could go forward until I built another transmission.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

Not to confuse the issue, but, I have always thought the tin top cover overdirve was a T-86. Then I got a T-85 in a trade with a few spare parts. There was a spare side cover for a T-85 that clearly was marked T-86. Now I'm confused.

Before trying to swap input shafts count the teeth on the gear. I'm not sure they're all the same.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

It's not that hard. If I remember, take the side cover off and pull the gears out. I think the input shaft pulled out into the transmission, that's why I removed enough gears for clearance. Put the truck input shaft in , put the gears back in, you're ready to go. I have a 3.92 rear, and in overdrive it gives me the effect of having a 2.43 rear. At 65 mph it's great.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Dennis, How hard was it to do that work?  Could you guide me through it?

1958 F100 292

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs."

"Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice."

-Henry Ford

I have a car overdrive transmission in my truck. I took the tranny apart and put the truck input shaft in it. I have the overdrive solenoid wired to a toggle switch. I turn it on and off as I need it. It's a heavy enough transmission for me, I race with it, but I've only got a hopped up 239.

  Dennis in Lititz PA