Hi I´m building a 5W coupé model A from 1931 with a 345" DeSoto Hemi from -57 in it. I would like some suggestions on what kind of manual stick shift gearbox i could use and also what kind of rear axle that would hold for the tourqe. I wan´t the parts to be correct in time so any parts newer than 58-59 is not an option. What kind of gearboxes and rear axles were popular in the early and late fifties??? Fords 9" came in 1957 right??Wich models had the axle and what width did they have??I´m also thinkin of an rearaxle from a F100 from 55-56 that should hold for pretty much and also have the right width??And ive been told that some Mopar and GM pickup truck manual gearboxes is pretty strong?? Best regards Vincent
Yes of course i forgot about those,also Buick should be pretty strong ive been told. Did DeSoto ever had any manual transmissions in -57??I doubt it but i´ll have to ask.
Earlier versions did, later versions were usually made with automatics, although a 3 speed stick was available, and many were recalled. The t-85 was the replacement for many failed 3 speeds back then. You could find an original, or the dealer installed floor shift t-85, depending on if the owner brought it in for the recall. Stick shifts were not very popular in the post 55 Desotos. http://www.allpar.com/cars/desoto/1961-cars.html I believe Wilcap makes the adapters for the later hemis. Shipping may be $$ for you, though. you can also get a lot of good info from forwardlook.net
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