what 3 speed

rod · 09-08-2011, 10:32 PM

still thinking about moving back to O or P stock. this is a 8.5 comp. 4V 265 in a 3400 lb. Nomad. 13.40 [approx] index
aside from some mega dollar trans, what chevy 3 speed would you use.
this isn't going to be a high dollar deal and is not going to be a killer set-up. just something reliable.

thanks
rod in AZ

Robert Simpson · 09-08-2011, 11:21 PM

Rod, I assume you mean a manual trans? If so get a Jerico and never look back, you will not be sorry. If you meant a auto 3speed you can't run that in stock in this combo, powerglide only. Hope this helps some.

Robert

Alan Roehrich · 09-08-2011, 11:24 PM

I don't think you'll find a "production" 3 speed that could even be "updated/upgraded" to live. I agree with Robert, go Jerico, and never look back.

BlueOval Ralph · 09-09-2011, 07:59 AM

I'm not sure if it's legal, but GM used a Ford heavy duty top loader 3sp in 1966 & 1967 in the Olds 442's and Pontiac GTO's, I was working @ Hurst Performance Research at the time and we maid the shifters for them.

Lew Silverman · 09-09-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueOval Ralph

I'm not sure if it's legal, but GM used a Ford heavy duty top loader 3sp in 1966 & 1967 in the Olds 442's and Pontiac GTO's, I was working @ Hurst Performance Research at the time and we maid the shifters for them.

If I remember right, GM used a one-off bell housing on those cars and the tranny was clocked for some reason, maybe for clearance with the floor pan?

Lew

55 Chevy · 09-09-2011, 10:52 AM

I went to a lot of grief, time and money wise putting a Toploader in my car and it really did not work that well. By the time it was all said and done I could have almost had a DR-4. And to boot that trans was slow. Lowest first gear is 2.78 and I believe you will need more like a 3.08.

My recommendation; Talk to Scott@Jerico,tell him what you need and have him keep his eyes open for a used one as the DR-4 is no longer made.

Allan

ss wannabee · 09-10-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55 Chevy

I went to a lot of grief, time and money wise putting a Toploader in my car and it really did not work that well. By the time it was all said and done I could have almost had a DR-4. And to boot that trans was slow. Lowest first gear is 2.78 and I believe you will need more like a 3.08.

My recommendation; Talk to Scott@Jerico,tell him what you need and have him keep his eyes open for a used one as the DR-4 is no longer made.

Allan

Allan, care to mention the et's with the Toploader? Which trans did you run previous?
Ever try a Nash?

55 Chevy · 09-10-2011, 12:55 PM

Previous to running the Ford 4-speed Toploader I used to run a Pro-shifted Borg Warner T-16 3 speed. It had a 2.86 first and 1.71 second gear. That was eighteen years ago. Then I quit for awhile.
By the time I resurrected the car starting a few years ago they had made the change to allow us to run a four speed so I bought a big in/out Toploader(2.78,1.93,1.39)as it seemed like a poor mans Jerico. Made many modifications to make it work and it seemed to be OK.
Best E.T. was just under the index(12.46/12.54) at a 2300' track. 60' times were worse than the old trans(1.65 toploader,1.57 3 speed) even though the motor is making considerable more power than it did way back.
I never did run a Nash 3 speed.
As for why the Toploader was slower I am not sure but the 1-2 gear change was not the best. It really sounded like that I was granny shifting and between this gear change the car would fall on its face then pick up again.

Looking for the Jerico to change that.

Allan

09-08-2011, 10:32 PM	#1
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 315 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	what 3 speed still thinking about moving back to O or P stock. this is a 8.5 comp. 4V 265 in a 3400 lb. Nomad. 13.40 [approx] index aside from some mega dollar trans, what chevy 3 speed would you use. this isn't going to be a high dollar deal and is not going to be a killer set-up. just something reliable. thanks rod in AZ

09-08-2011, 11:21 PM	#2
Robert Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 808 Likes: 7 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: what 3 speed Rod, I assume you mean a manual trans? If so get a Jerico and never look back, you will not be sorry. If you meant a auto 3speed you can't run that in stock in this combo, powerglide only. Hope this helps some. Robert

09-08-2011, 11:24 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,124 Likes: 1,581 Liked 1,874 Times in 422 Posts	Re: what 3 speed I don't think you'll find a "production" 3 speed that could even be "updated/upgraded" to live. I agree with Robert, go Jerico, and never look back. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

09-09-2011, 07:59 AM	#4
BlueOval Ralph Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 852 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: what 3 speed I'm not sure if it's legal, but GM used a Ford heavy duty top loader 3sp in 1966 & 1967 in the Olds 442's and Pontiac GTO's, I was working @ Hurst Performance Research at the time and we maid the shifters for them.

09-09-2011, 10:52 AM	#6
55 Chevy Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary,Alberta area Posts: 229 Likes: 23 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: what 3 speed I went to a lot of grief, time and money wise putting a Toploader in my car and it really did not work that well. By the time it was all said and done I could have almost had a DR-4. And to boot that trans was slow. Lowest first gear is 2.78 and I believe you will need more like a 3.08. My recommendation; Talk to Scott@Jerico,tell him what you need and have him keep his eyes open for a used one as the DR-4 is no longer made. Allan

09-10-2011, 12:55 PM	#8
55 Chevy Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary,Alberta area Posts: 229 Likes: 23 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: what 3 speed Previous to running the Ford 4-speed Toploader I used to run a Pro-shifted Borg Warner T-16 3 speed. It had a 2.86 first and 1.71 second gear. That was eighteen years ago. Then I quit for awhile. By the time I resurrected the car starting a few years ago they had made the change to allow us to run a four speed so I bought a big in/out Toploader(2.78,1.93,1.39)as it seemed like a poor mans Jerico. Made many modifications to make it work and it seemed to be OK. Best E.T. was just under the index(12.46/12.54) at a 2300' track. 60' times were worse than the old trans(1.65 toploader,1.57 3 speed) even though the motor is making considerable more power than it did way back. I never did run a Nash 3 speed. As for why the Toploader was slower I am not sure but the 1-2 gear change was not the best. It really sounded like that I was granny shifting and between this gear change the car would fall on its face then pick up again. Looking for the Jerico to change that. Allan