I thouht it was a t85 and T86. I'd like to see the comparision between the T86 and the 259 or whatever. I have a couple T85's and a T89. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Frank,

Which BW unit do you want pics of? On 6/10 I posted pics (this thread) of my T85 C-1A / R11-1E ('56 Merc) and my BW 259 / R10F-1A ('55 T-Bird).

"The way that you wander is the way that you choose..."



1955 Ford 70B-223/FoM, 1955 Ford 78A-272/3sp

Does anybody have a photo of the BW so we can seewhat it looks like. Comparedto the T86. Same Od unit, or different?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I accidentally added a new topic above on the overdrive.

-Gary Burnette-

FYI: In future (should it ever come up), all T-Bird trans. measurement specs., photos & casting #s can be found in the CTCI resto manual.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Thanks Daniel.  Never could keep it straight which tranny was the T86 between the straight bottom side cover units and those with the top cover.  I’ve a collection of both here.  That’s the first time I’ve heard the BW 259 designation but sounds good as I vaguely do recall the top cover units being called T-86’s in the past.  Good thing I’m not a tranny guy by trade.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted,



To be exact, the OEM 55 T-Bird OD transmission was a BW 259. The side cover (3 rounded corners) DOES have a straight bottom though.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I thought the T86's were all top loaders? And the 49-54 or 55's were like Ted says, with the straight bottomed side shift cover? If they started using T86's in 56 then weren't they top loaders with the tin cover on top? All of my 56's have been Fordomatics or just regular 3 speeds so I have never seen a 56 overdrive. I have a 57 T85 that I want in my 54 car, and I am thinking the tail shaft is longer on it, so I will have that problem plus the rear mount. I have the driveshaft from the 57 car but have not checked wheelbase on them yet. Maybe I will get lucky and can use it by changing the rear universal joint.



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

Someone else correct me if this is not right.  The ’55 ‘Bird tranny is a T86 which is straight on the bottom portion of the shifter cover.  The T-85 and T-89 trannies have a curved bottom on the shifter covers.  The T-86 has three planetary gears in the OD unit while the T85/T89 equipped overdrive units (R11) have four planetary gears.  The four gear unit is much the stronger than the 3 gear unit.  The T86 gearbox is also weaker than the T85/T89 boxes and starting in 1956, was replaced by the T85 in the heavy duty applications in the Ford cars.  Mercury car got the T85 trannies regardless.  The T86 boxes were still used in the standard duty Ford car applications.

 

While I don’t have a Thunderbird T-86 sitting here, simply measuring from the front tranny face to the transmission mount should verify if the transmission will bolt in without a crossmember modification.  I suspect it will physically bolt in to a ‘55/’56 Ford without issue.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Sorry, Ted. I didn't see your post. Would you mind commenting on the "beefiness" of the '55 'Bird O/D vs. the T86 / R10? Will the 'Bird O/D work in my S/D and bolt right in? Thanks.

"The way that you wander is the way that you choose..."



1955 Ford 70B-223/FoM, 1955 Ford 78A-272/3sp