I am selling the hydro on my nailhead and got a 55 buick special manual 3 speed, just wandering if this ****** would be good to run, any downside and can they handle a little horsepower?
My understanding is they are durable enough but you will never speed shift 'em..they are called "selector" style transmissions..Pontiac (maybe Olds) used 'em, too. Good luck finding a floor shifter!
The ****** used in the '54 & '55 Special is a light duty unit that was used behind the small series straight eights and won't take much abuse. The trans used behind the 322 engine is a lot beefier, but is the "selector" style and is almost impossible to speed shift. This style was also used behind the Oldsmobile V8s, and were not the enclosed torque tube like Buick. Hope this helps, Frank
yes, that definately does help, what exactly does sector shift mean. I just talked to a good buddy of mine and his buddy (old timer) held the record for nhra in 55 and 56 with one of them. He said they are very strong but no one can shift fast or something but I guess his buddy found a way to hook up a different shifter. I am wondering is the problem internal or external. And also, do I have the good trans, it is out of a 55 buick special series 40, here is a pic too!
kilroy, what's your number, I will prob be around but my cell is broken.give me yoour num and I'll call you
The ****** used in the '54 & '55 Special is a light duty unit that was used behind the small series straight eights and won't take much abuse. The trans used behind the 322 engine is a lot beefier, The last straight 8 was in 53. The 54-5 Specials were the small 264 nailhead as compared to the 322 used in the other models. The ****** used behind 322 models is completely different and is a revamp of the old Cad/LaSalle box. The torque tube was used until 1958 in all Buicks.
this one in the pic is the one I'm trying to buy.Can I convert it to open drive? and how can I tell if it's a good one. Thanks for all the info. already. This board has saved me a lot of reading from the books I don't have.
These guys could help you with the info you need http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/NailHeadBuick/ or get ahold of suedesled on here hes a nailhead guy, as far as converting it to open drive I dont think its easy by any means if its even p[ossible. Theres always transmissionadapters.com
Well, Ive seen stick Buicks adapted to torque tube Fords and the big Buick straight eights boxes adapted to open drive so it wont be like inventing the wheel. However the latter are repackaged Cad/LaSalle boxes and I dont think there is much in the way of tailshafts and stuff lying around these days. Maybe someone on here has conversion info as it was in the rod mags of the 50-60's. The ****** you have is known as the T241 and was used in 48-53 small series straight 8's also. The T241 was also used in 49-50 Olds 6 cyl and 49-55 Pontiac BUT there are some internal differences in part # as well as common parts. The Buicks, 6cyl Olds and 49-54 Pontiacs had the same case. Hopefully I havent got you too confused yet! OK on 1960 as the end of the tube, I grabbed a manual that stopped in 58. So much for going by memory!
thanks alot, sounds like this isn't the way to go, I will try to find an adapter but I will turn whoever needs it onto it in a post on the board
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