One interesting thing about that 3-speed OD is that you can move the OD to a
Saginaw 4-speed. You swap the tail housing and output shaft, and had to put
a tab on one of the shift mechanisms to lock-out OD when in reverse.
I had a transmission that was built that way back in the 70's, and ran it in
a mild Chevy 350 powered Firebird. It helped mileage and seemed reliable.
I recently sold it for about $200...
----- Original Message -----
From: <mark@noakes.com>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Saginaw 3sp with overdrive
> The biggest issue is the one you mention; it doesn't work with closed
driveline and you
> would have to swap (54/55 1st series parts?).
>
> The best part of the deal is that it will convert your 3.90 final drive
ratio to 2.73
> for less stress on the engine at cruise and better mileage.
>
> These are not for high hp, but a stock or near stock engine should be fine
with the OD.
>
> A minor negative if you care about engine braking, is that the vehicle
will nearly free
> wheel with the OD engaged, and you'll have to downshift more than usual
to deal with
> hills.
>
> A minor plus is, per the orignal literature that I have, is that it's
easier to drive in
> stop and go traffic...can't prove that one by me yet though.
>
> The original controls are a combination of mechanical, electrical, and a
governor, so
> it's pretty convoluted for what it does. The relays, switches, wiring
harness, etc that
> go with it are hard to come by if you want to do it totally as original.
There are also
> mechanical only (solenoid is jumpered for this one) and more modern
control approaches
> that can also be done. I collected parts off of an auction site for my
brother to do a
> stock installation on his 57 farm truck with a 235 six. For my Suburban
setup, I intend
> to use the more modern switching approach whereby I'll get something like
a 6 speed out
> of my 3...I say "something like" since I don't think all gears will be
useful that
> way...but it will be better than a 3 speed at least.
>
> I have collected a pretty extensive file of original literature (and per
orginal
> literature, the OD was available for the TF trucks, though the GMC also
had a high speed
> rear end that would negate the need for the OD anyway) and magazine
articles on stock
> and modified setups; let me know if you get it.
>
> Mark Noakes
>
> On Sun, 23 Feb 2003, Ronald Smiley wrote:
>
> >
> > Group: There is a saginaw 3spd with over drive listed
> > on one of the auction sites. They are looking for a
> > opening bid of two hundred for it, less than a hundred
> > thousand miles. Obviously its not compatible with the
> > torque tube. I would appreciate any insight into
> > this. Is this a desirable addition to a 53 3100?
> >
> > Ron
> > 53 3100
> >
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