old36

Hello, hopefully someone here can help me out.

i own a 1936 Oldsmobile and would like to add a modern transmission like a t-5 transmission.

Has anyone here ever done a modification like this or could point me to the right direction?

Or does anyone have a bell housing hanging around? i'd like the measurements from the back where the trans bolts up.

Yhanks in advance

1969w3155

I would give Rossracing a call, might be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.http://rossracingengines.com/c/11/ol...early-catalog/

Olds64

Here's another supplier that provides adapters for the Olds 394.

http://www.transmissionadapters.com/early_olds.htm

The home page mentions that custom adapters can be made as well. Hopefully you can find something that works.

Tedd Thompson

Have you looked into a Rover Transmission that should be a direct bolt up. That being said I am no expert on the 213 engine and I don't remember anyone ever using the first generation Old's transmission on a 213. Check with Joe P or Jensen Racing they both play with that engine and would know.... Tedd

1969w3155

Tedd, it's a 1936 213 c.i. L head inline 6 engine, not the 215 used in the first F-85 & Cutlass.

Tedd Thompson

My mistake, I was thinking aluminum V8, what a difference two ci's make.For some reason my thoughts were street rodding today.... Tedd

olds 307 and 403

I would put money on it that you need a custom made adapter. What bell housing pattern did they even have?

svnt442

My thoughts are about the pilot bearing/bushing that will be needed to make this work. I would think that the new trans will have a larger diameter input shaft and things could get tricky.

old36

thanks

i had checked with them but they don't make anything for a 213

Olds64

Bummer!

Charlie Jones

This swap would be WAY more trouble than it is worth.
For one thing . the old "torquey" flat head six just doesn't need five speeds .
The swap would be a total nightmare . As no one makes (or has ever made) an adapter for this .
My advice would be to stick with the original trans . Parts for it can be had . Especially through the internet . Use Google .

Olds64

These folks might have the parts for your original transmission:

http://www.fatsco.net/

I bought a rebuild kit from them when I rebuilt my Slim Jim Rotohydramatic in my 64 98. They have good service and a lot of hard to find parts you won't get from B&M or TCI.

old36

hmm ok thanks, i was just trying to get better highway gears

Charlie Jones

If what you want is better "highway" gears then it is the rear end that you need to change , not the transmission .
In 1936 most roads were still dirt or gravel . and speeds seldom exceeded 50 MPH on those . The best highways were the two lane concrete US highways where 65 MPH was "just flying ".
Car makers geared their cars accordingly . According to my research , the 36 Olds had a 4.56 rear gear .
By the 1950's the roads had much improved , and the speeds were higher.
So the gearing for stick shift cars was something like 3.70 or 3.90 . Automatic cars ran even taller at 3.23 or 3.08 .
The 1936 Olds had a rear end that was only used in 1935-36 . The ring gear was rivited to the diff case. There was a very limited selection of gear ratios , and all of them were in the "granny gear "range .
In 1937 Olds (and Pontiac ) went to a newer design axle that they stayed with as late as 1956 .
It may be possible to swap a complete rear end from a 50's Olds (or Pontiac) into your car. Try to find one that is close to the same width .3.55 to 3.70 is probably the best ratio .
You will have to find a welder by the name of McGuyver , to move the spring perches and build a new driveshaft . But it should all be do-able .
I did a similar thing with a 1937 Pontiac coupe (4.37 rear). I used a rear end center chunk out of a 54 Hydra-Matic (3.23 rear). Made for much easier cruising .

olds 307 and 403

I think he is looking for more ratios and no doubt overdrive with 4.56 gears. I'm sure oen can be made up with a steel plate and some skill.