Hello all, Got a weird one for some of you Mopar Guru's...

I have a 67 Coronet wagon with a 273, may build a 318 for it instead. Would like to retain original engine, but will decide upon condition at tear down. Factory 3 on the tree trans. OK- In these years, Mopar did not offer a 3 speed overdrive trans for some reason, even though Chevy, Ford, etc all had one available. Not sure why, but this isn't the question here. I know Mopar had a 3 spd OD trans available in the 50's, not sure what years, or what engines.. but I have seen them.

IF I can even find one, does anybody on here know specifics about them? One if they would bolt up to (or be made to) work with non-poly small blocks, if the input shaft would be compatible, (length, spline,), Output shaft spline type and trans length if stock driveshaft could be used, and if the shift linkage setup would be similar enough to make a 67 Column work, with or without fabricating rods? And lastly, were these transmissions the "coasting" type, solenoid engaged OD with a kickdown switch on the firewall, etc like the 60's variety of OD transmissions (Thinking of a Borg like Ford used)??? If I'm lucky, it's just a cable linkage from the OD handle to the trans, but Murphy seems to have taken the place of Lady Luck!

I am building this car as a somewhat daily driver but remaining stock as possible, and would prefer to retain the manual column shifter.. An OD trans would in theory make the car even more economical, without having to go to such a low rear end that she's a bit rough to get going on an uphill stop. (323 is orig gear and works well, 294 is just a bit too tall for the tired 273, maybe OK once a few more horses are added but skeptical..

Any help guys??? ANY advice or experience with this type of thing would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Regards,
Chris

That's a tough one, the 50's stuff used some oddball combinations to mate the engine with the trans at times. I think you will end up having to make your own custom adapters to get this to work. Perhaps you would be cheaper off with doing something like mating a gear vendors OD unit to your trans or putting in an auto/od trans like a mopar a500 or 518 or a chevy 700r4 or a floor shift 833OD.

The old trannys used a wierd shift linkage.One on the side one was on top with a bent shift arm.I used to have some of the old trannys.You would need the old bell and trans.It should still mate as the blocks used the same bolt pattern.I even used to have the old bells.The 3.23s with a tall tire should work fine with a 3 speed.Just make sure its the heavy dity one.I even have one in the garage.They are usually fairly cheap.Rocky

Hello, belated thank-you's for the replies! This is at least a start, do either of you know whether those transmissions use some kind of an electronic kick-down or is is strictly a cable or linkage engaging a solenoid? A 4 speed OD from a newer light Dodge pickup would be cool, but again, I wish to retain the column shift..

Regards,
Chris