Flathead H226 Overdrive

Smitty

Smitty

Well-known member
Hi All,
Does anyone know if any of the 6 cylinder 49-51 cars came with or utilized overdrive transmissions? I need something that will allow me to drive my Shoebox on the highway? Another option I have been thinking is to install a 9" rear with 308's but wondering if i would lose all of my bottom end.
Thanks, Steve
 
My current transmission has a Hurst floor shift. I know the original car had column shift, looks as though the solenoid would would be in the way of the floor shifter and linkage. Any thoughts on that...?
Thanks, Steve
 
I can't help you with that unique scenario. In my case, I removed the transmission and OD from a 6-cylinder engine and installed it in an original '49 V8 with column shift...
 
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Smitty said:
My current transmission has a Hurst floor shift. I know the original car had column shift, looks as though the solenoid would would be in the way of the floor shifter and linkage. Any thoughts on that...?
Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...

You're right about the solenoid being in the way of where the Hurst shifter wants to live. I have an old Fenton shifter conversion kit for these cars with overdrive. It mounts the shifter mechanism much higher so that it clears the solenoid. The instructions say that the floor pan has to be modified to clear the shifter. I have the instructions for the Fenton kit available. I'll try to find them.
 

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My 1st car was a 1950 six cylinder with overdrive. It was a GR8 car & could run 70 mph all day. I remember the Fenton shifter, but didn't have the $$$ for one after rebuilding the engine. That 6 by the way, beat a few V8s.
 
The convertibles had a solenoid adapter the relocated the solenoid under the transmission with a rocker set up. The X frame would not accommodate a standard R10 set up so the adapter made it possible. They aren't easy to find but they are out there.
 
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