Projects ford t-85 3spd w/od///

Ive got a 56 ford fairlane 292 w/3 spd od on the column.I have yet to drive this car .How is this transmission?Anybody ever have one? Opinions?

 

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_drawings_trans.htm
http://www.speedprint.com/deves50/overdriveindex.php

The above links helped me. I have one in my 59 Ranch Wagon,T-85 and R10 behind a 223. It works well but remember the O.D. lube is separate from the main tranny lube and needs changed too. They are a good combo for good gearing around town then being able to go 60+ without killing the motor.Not the strongest O.D. and tranny combo so play nice.

 

Sorry Nate...but I would have to disagree. The T-85 is the transmission Ford used for Heavy-Duty applications...ie police cars, ambulances and any of their high performance cars....the are recognizable by the curved bottom side plate and usually come with the R-11 overdrive. If the side plate is not curved, then you have the standard 3-speed which is fairly weak. Buy the way, the Borg-Warner converted the T-85 to become the T-10 4-speed.

 

Open your piggy bank and and buy this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-MECHAN...anuals_Literature&hash=item2ecb52bc03&vxp=mtr Money well spent

 

You got a nice combo there. With the OD engaged, you will see the RPM's drop once above 35 mph. Then if you floor the throttle, the tranny shifts out of od for quicker acceleration.

This od unit was used in many cars from the early 50's through the late 60's and were used behind engines producing up to 300 hp and maybe more.

 

The majority of cars with the 223 six cylinders used the T-86 with overdrive.

 

t85 is as tough as most, I had one in my 56 mainline hardtop, 292 with 2x4's, Mallory dual point, I couldn't hurt it, and I tried

 

thanks for posting those links, I have a Studebaker 6 with this trans that I would like to put in a possible roadster project and was wondering how they worked.

 

Sorry guys, you're right T-86 R-10 in mine, been a while since I was under it. Hey I was only one number off!

 

He can't cuz I just did !

 

Now that's funny...I don't care what you say! Nice scoop Pete!

 

Mercury however did run the t85 starting in 1955

 

Yes sir, that 56 on the lift in my avatar came with a t85 R11 but was replaced with T-5 5 speed. The 57 wagon was a factory od car but the previous owner scooped it for another project. So now the original t85 from the Merc will be going in the wagon. That' s why I wanted that book from epay.
I'll tell you what that t85 is one heavy sumbitch !