Technical 283 to 3 speed?

Anyone running a 283 SBC to an early 3 speed?

Good or bad idea?

 

never done it
lots of guys have
adapters been around since the 265 came out

 

Lots of rods were that. That's why so many old SBC/to Ford adapters are still out there.

Some want OD, or 4 speed, ...I don't. I love the tall top shift 3 speeds, It just feels exactly like an old hotrod should.

There is a recent FAST build thread on here of a 33/34 Pickup with what you asked about. The young guy kept the build so simple and everyone here liked it.
.

 

Yep i did it in one of my 55s used an overdrive in it though. Car ran sweet.

 

My '32 pickup had a 265 with a '35 3 speed.
Worked well.

 

Didn't work for me in my youth and I haven't grown up all that much.
Pete

 

Just happen to have a couple of Muncie 319 overdrive 3 speed transmissions available, and the Hurst shifters for them; I have no use for them. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Burnouts......bad idea
Speed shifting......bad idea
Traditional and cool.......good idea

 

all the cool kids have them...

 

Is that an X shift?

Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Gold mountain looks like a home made deal with the top of another trans welded on. Note the flat plate on the side where the levers would be.

 

Ran lots of them back in the day behind 265's and 283's. Only blew out one 3 speed after lots of punishment. 411 rear got you nice hole shots but a little low for highway driving without overdrive. Fun times!!

 

My favorite combo! Building another one in my new roadster. My favorite ratio is 3.78, ( I agree with Latigo above). Decent out of the whole and not bad on the highway either. Built many this way. Can't remember ever trashing a trans but I do know what not to do.

 

yep, my dad and uncle cut the top open on a 55 chevy 3 speed, then cut the top off a 37 chevy truck tranny and welded it on. they did this with hack saws and torches back in 1957 when they were just teens.

 

Isn't it amazing what you can do when you don't know any better.

 

I like the early 3 speed Ford box straight cut low gear sounds cool have one in my 35 behind a 283

 

I blew more Chevy 3 speeds back in the 60's than I care to mention. They were good, but second gear synchro's did not like power shifting. I could change them with my eye's closed and I would buy them from local junk yard for $10. each. Today I would have no problem running a small block with early Ford box. Except for the torque tube, that I have had enough of. Yes, I am too old to power shift.

 

That was a big deal back in the day. We are a talented family!

 

Aren't three speeds why four speeds were invented?

 

Aren't 4 speeds why 5 speeds were invented?

 

4 and 5 speeds were invented for inferior drivers, to even the playing field with good three speed drivers.

 

I like vintage 6 speeds. Re-wiring the old OD to split every gear

 

Thanks for the replies, now how to get a 283 in Scotland..................

 

My new truck has a 10 speed...I'm sure the next one will have 15....

 

Define "early 3 speed". Which model? What year?