Does anyone out here know the specific differences between a BW T89 and a T85? I have a T89 with OD I want to use behind an early hemi, but the information I find was that it is a rare transmission used in Jeeps behind the AMC 327 V8 only. I was told mine was out of an early sixties Ford pickup, and the bolt pattern matches the early hemi to '49-'64 Ford adapter that I have. I thought they were almost identical to a T85, and it sure is a lot heavier than the '50 Ford transmission I was initially going to use. It also has the R11 overdrive.
As far as I am aware (and what the interweb searches tell me) is that the only difference between the T-85 and T-89 is that the T-85 uses a helically cut first and reverse mainshaft, whereas the T-89 has a straight-cut mainshaft. I believe you are correct in the statement that the T-89 was a Jeep only application, and the T85 was used across a wide variety of applications. The T85 and R11 should handle a hemi with no problem as they where often used behind FE's, up to and including the 427.
Probably, but like I said, the T85 was used in many different applications, and as such has a few different gearing options. Shift ratios were either 2.53 or 2.49:1 for first gear, 1.59:1 for second gear, and 1.00:1 for third gear. The reverse ratio was 3.15:1. Truck ratios were 2.99 or 2.97:1 for first, depending on year and model with 1.75:1 for second and 1.00:1 for third. Reverse remained at 3.15:1. R-11's were typically 0.72:1 overdrives, but there are a few 0.67:1's out there as well.
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