3 spd overdrive trans t bird

[Vanspeed]

Hi guys,
My step father has a thunderbird with the overdrive 3 spd. Is this a rare trans? He wants to update the drivetrain and is wondering if this trans is worth putting up for sale. I have no experience with these cars or that trans so when he asked me I came up empty.

[miker98038]

Have to know the year. If it’s early birds, the 292’s used T-86 R-10 o/d, but the 56 &57 312’s used the T-85 R-11. Much stronger, sought after even today. Used behind the 390’s before the 4 speeds became widely available.

You can look them up, T-86 is a top loader, T-85 a curved side cover. You can see that much from under the car. After all these years, check don’t assume.

[Vanspeed]

He said it is an R10. I believe the car is a ‘55. Makes sense.

[miker98038]

If it’s good, is got some value for local pick up. Shipping would be a killer.

A 55 has a smaller tunnel. But T-5’s will fit, and I think someone here put an AOD in a 55.

[Mac VP]

The 1955 T-Bird 3 speed transmission (Standard or Overdrive) was a more or less one-year type for the Bird. Physically, it could interchange with other mid 50’s Fords. The gears inside are unique to the 55 Bird, and were a bit beefier than the regular Ford versions.

As for the value of the transmission, for now it’s really just a core transmission. Even for someone like myself, who really knows this unit, until you open it up and inspect the internals, you can’t evaluate its performance or longevity otherwise. The real prospect would be another 55 T-Bird owner that is looking for the overdrive transmission to replace his Standard unit. Shipping is also a fly in the ointment….they need to be carefully packed in a wooden crate (and kept under 150 lbs) to be able to ship via UPS.

[cos]

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Mac VP Learned something new. Never messed with 55 TB OD trans, always thought they were same as the 55 cars. So TB trans gears have a S in front of part number of different parts?

[Gene F]

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

Hi guys,
My step father has a thunderbird with the overdrive 3 spd. Is this a rare trans? He wants to update the drivetrain and is wondering if this trans is worth putting up for sale. I have no experience with these cars or that trans so when he asked me I came up empty.

This is a manual transmission, right?

I am curious; A) what is he going to do with his 292? B) what combination does he think he wants to to put in his Bird? I have a 57 Skyliner, and have always wondered if one day I want a different engine and transmission combination. My car is really heavy, and it has the optional bigger gear in the rear-end. I have had my car 20 years, and really enjoy it, just wonder sometimes.

[Mac VP]

Many of the internal parts are indeed common with other 1955 Ford transmissions, but not necessarily the other 55 Ford passenger car types. Some of the gears are truck parts for example. The only parts I see with the unique B5S prefix are the gearbox case, the front ball bearing, and (I think) the rear extension housing. The shifter mechanism is entirely 55 Bird. The transmission is still the Ford based 259 series design in 1955 Birds. It continued in 56 and 57 Birds unless the car had the 312 V8 in which case Ford installed the complete Borg Warner heavy duty T-85 transmission….. a completely different type.

Originally Posted by cos

Mac VP Learned something new. Never messed with 55 TB OD trans, always thought they were same as the 55 cars. So TB trans gears have a S in front of part number of different parts?