im building up a 322 nailhead and want to use an old manual transmission behind it, ive collected several transmission for this including a t-85 along with the cragar belhousing, an old ford three speed, and a 36 buick trans. the t-85 seems to be easiest considering ive already located the bellhousing, and having an o.d. is always nice, but i think it would great to have a buick trans behind a buick motor, and it has a synchro 2nd to 1st, so if anybody has a clue how or what will help me get that behind the 322 it would be a huge help.
Is it a 6-bolt or 5-bolt trans? If it's a 5-bolt, have a couple spares on hand, since the gears are made of gl***. Also, the Buicks were a torque tube, so you'll have to figure out something for the rear end. I've also got a bunch of trans stuff for behind a 322, including the Cragar bell and Ford 3spd OD. I think that'd be the way to go for your application. If you're hellbent on a Buick trans, look for a later 6-bolt cover trans from a '50s Buick, Olds or Pontiac. The Olds and Pontiac will have an open driveshaft tail housing. Lotsa luck getting a shifter for them too... I just sent a check out for a pair of DragFast shifters for them I found on here. Your best bet is the Ford trans you have. OR, there's a Buick to Chevy bellhousing in the Cl***ifieds right now. Decent price, too. I'd grab it if A) I weren't broke, and B) I didn't already have an NOS TransDapt 322 to Chevy Truck manual (bolt holes in bottom aren't threaded, but otherwise it's the same). If I didn't have the Chevy bell, even though I'm broke I'd go after the one in the cl***ifieds. -Brad
The 36 should bolt up to a factory 322 stick bellhousing. It could be the smaller special trans or the bigger/stronger roadmaster trans. You will need to figure out what to do with the torque tube/driveshaft though. I might have a bellhousing in the garage.I can check tomorrow.
I have a NOS Cragar Trans Adapter Early Ford to Nailhead. New in an un-open box. Send me a PM if your interested in buying it.
thanks for the information, ive found a stock buick bellhousing before but i didnt have it while the trans was around so i couldn't test them out. the buick transmission i have is actually out of a 1936 buick, so its a top shifter, obviously a three speed and has the synchro 2nd to 1st, i figured it would basically be the equivalent of a cad. or lasalle trans. ive seen somebody selling a similar comination (322 to early buick 3 speed) but im not sure what they had for a bellhousing, so im hoping somebody knows. how much do you want for your cragar bellhousing?
If the trans is the smaller style, it is not nearly as strong as the Cad/LaSalle. If it is the larger unit it is every bit as strong.
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