VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 3 speed with overdrive

I'm thinking about swapping the powerglide in my '55 hardtop for a column shift three speed. Was the overdrive available that year? What years did they make the overdrive? Would it be easier to look for a higher ratio three speed, or would that matter? Once in third gear are all three speeds the same? I want to have the highest ratio I can get without swapping ring gear and pinion.
Thanks,
Sid

An overdrive was available in 1955. Had one in a '56 six cylinder. Used the 4.11 rear end so didn't give much help to top end but expanded the power in the lower gears. An overdrive with powerglide rear end might rival the '14 Corvette for top speed (just kidding).

Chip I think they changed the standard rear end ratio for the in 1960 to 3:73 to resolve the complaint you mentioned at high speeds

Chevrolet offered over drive from 1955-1968.
The 1955 through mid 1959 had a 4.11 ratio rear. The late 1959 and up had a 3.70.
All over drive transmissions used the wide ratio 2.94 an 1.68 2nd gear transmissions. That ratio was used from 1937 and up in the three speeds. In 1958 the small block three speeds got a "semi-close ratio" trans but with O.D. you still got the wide ratio.
The 4.11 with overdrive was my favotite as you has excellent hill climbing and passing power and got down to like a 3 to 1 ratio in overdrive.
Yor 1955 P.G. has a 3.55 ratio. Wit 15" wheels it is a little tall for a 265 & od but will work in flat contry.
You could also get a 3.08 from certain 1960 and up automatics, keep your PG and have a bargin conversion.
With that being said the is nothing like a small block with a stick for aceleration through the gears.

Thanks guys, I'm looking for the acceleration and the "whine". I also dislike powerglides. Hopefully, my friends have the parts I need. The biggest challenge I see is finding a good shift column that doesn't hang up between 1st and 2nd. Could the high ratios also be achieved with a later three speed or is an overdrive the only way? A '68 would give me a synchro on first. Would it bolt in? Would it result in a lower ratio high gear compared to the overdrive?
Sid

If you can get a column out of a 1956 or 1957....they were "improved"

Sid
A lot of the hang up between gears can be avoided by linkage rod adjustment and driver operation, refer to thread B ruce Jones started on his 53 sticking in gear. The linkages may be different but the principal is the same.
Tony

Was the "whine" a result of the gear ratios?
Sid

The whine in 1st and 2nd gear comes from the transmission gears....all Chevrolets had the gear noise but for some reason, although the gears were the same as a 6 cylinder they sounded much different and better with the V-8 engine.
I know what you mean and it was music to my ears.

I haven't had this car long , so I'm still considering what changes I want to do to "make it mine". It has a 283 in it, and the "whine" would still be there with that engine. But the sound from a quadrajet on a 350 opening up would cover up the sound of the "whine", correct? Finding and building a correct 265 would probably cost more than buying a complete crate motor. But a correct car would have more value, and this car is still mostly correct. I've read on this site about problems with the early heads increasing oil consumption. Can that now be resolved in the machine shop? What about the canister oil filter? Anyone have stories to tell about that?
Thanks,
Sid

I read Bruce's post on his 53 hanging between gears. It will not only help if mine hangs, but also in selecting a good column and repairing a column. I've already found a transmission, but it's not an overdrive. A friend had it in his '57. Unfortunately, he already sold the column, bell housing and pedal. My plan is to install the 3 speed with the 283. I'll be looking for a good 265.
This site is really great! It has provided me a way to discuss my projects while recuperating. Soon, with the help of friends, I can start on this one.
Thanks,
Sid

is the overdrive trans longer than the regular 3 speed, requiring me to cut the driveshaft?

For 1955-1957 the OD and conventional and Power Glide transmissions are all the same length.

I'm still considering this change to manual trans. This car is a bel air hardtop. Would there have been many of this model produced with a manual trans? I found that 185,000 of this model were produced, but can't find how many had manual trans. I''ve bought cars equipped the way I liked them, but took a beating when it came time to sell.
Sid

I would estimate about 20% of the BelAir hard tops had a standard transmission and about 10% of those had overdrive.

Thanks Gene.

Gene,

What improvements were made to the columns?

I know this is an old topic but I took everyone's advice and did a search on "whine 1st and 2nd gear" and found this thread.

So, am I correct in thinking this is normal?

Every time I take my 41 Special Deluxe out for a test run after even the slightest work, the 1st and 2nd gears wind up with "rrrrrrrrrrrrRRRR!" Once I shift into third, the whine completely disappears. I was thinking a possible problem with my clutch or transmission.

You can either alleviate my fears or put my worries to rest.

I love the sound of the gears whine. But if the transmission is low or out of oil it will whine very loud in 1st and 2nd.

In the beginning of 1932 (year of the first syncromesh trans.) 1st and 2nd gears had straight teeth. The gear whine was quite loud. In mid 1932 2nd gear was changed to bevel teeth and advertised as silent 2nd gear. While quieter than the straight teeth an amount of gear whine was still there.The new trans. introduced in 1937 (basically the same a 1941) stll had the "loud" 1st gear. In 1940 the 1st gear teeth were beveled and the whine reduced by 75%.
In 1955 the gears were revised slightly and quited down some what but still had some of the familar Chevrolet whine. While using the same gears the whine sounded different with a V-8 engine.

OK. Considering the bottom housing of the transmission is "wet," I'll assume it's low on oil and that may be the reason for the LOUD whine in first and second. I could check the tech manual and such, but any advice on the best fluid to use for the transmission? Hopefully, the whine will quite down a bit once she's well-lubed.

Hi Blake,

Here is a post to help with fluid levels Transmission fluid level

Good luck, Mike

The fluid should be level with the filler hole.

In the service department I was told oil within 1/2" (1st knuckle of smallest finger or piece of bent wire for the smaller holes) of dripping out of the filler plug leave it alone.
I use that guide on all gearboxes and differentials including interstate trucks.
Tony

6wheel, you will love the 3 speed with overdrive, if you make the swap.

I sold my '51 coupe in March, it had a 1959 3 speed with overdrive, with a 9" FORD rear end..

Being that the '51 had dual carbs, different cam, etc., the engagement switch normally found on the carb linkage was not used.

In its place, an under dash toggle switch was utilized, which energized the overdrive transmission solenoid.

It worked great !