ID this tranny... "I think" I found one

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » February 19, 2009, 2:47 pm

I have been searching trying to figure out some info on this 3+1 tranny.. Anybody know the model?? Junk or OK??? Hydo clutch??? What type of tailshaft??

Other than a flywheel rebalance everything should bolt up to a 28oz 302 from the 300, correct???? Actually how are the 300's balanced???

http://binghamton.craigslist.org/cto/1016227380.html

36truck · Post by **36truck** » February 19, 2009, 3:00 pm

Looks like a floor shifter. Can't say I've know what it is. Thought it should be just a Borg Warner type trans.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » February 19, 2009, 3:08 pm

had that exact same truck, 4th is OD. does have hydraulic clutch. had 300 6 in mine, mileage was good but i always thought the clutch was weak and the 300 overpowered it.
for just driving the truck its ok.i dont think i would choose it for towing or hauling heavy stuff

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » February 19, 2009, 3:18 pm

If it is a stock trans it is an Orion box and they are famous for breaking. They were not really up to the demands of the 6 if driven hard, a V8 just makes garbage out of them quick if you get on it. If you drive reasonable and are not a power shifter/street racer, they are great trans. Hawkrod

R Pope · Post by **R Pope** » February 19, 2009, 3:44 pm

300's and all straight sixes are neutral balance, no weights.
That truck should have a toploader four speed overdrive, I have one hooked to a 351W in a '79 Mustang. It's a good trans, the ratios are a bit weird. Big jump from 2nd to 3rd.

Post by **Casey 65** » February 19, 2009, 4:35 pm

It is probably a Tremec T170FT-RTS Top loaded 4 speed with 4th being overdrive, Aluminum case and shift tower. It was used in Ford trucks in '84 & '85.
The O.D. in forth is 0.69. Several guys in the Slicks have ran one and liked it.

robert porterfield · February 19, 2009, 6:53 pm

that trans is called an "srod" as said above it is a version of the toploader family the designation stands for slngle rail over drive ratio's are a little wierd but not bad ....... i had one hooked to 429 for awile worked good got good mpg w/ it some of the mid 70's granada's had them too w/ external linkage just like the top-loaders of old......... hiope this helps.........

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » February 19, 2009, 11:25 pm

It could be a SROD, but most I have found had an Orion. The SROD has the shifter built in (hence the name: Single Rail Over Drive) and the Orion is basically a modified and regeared toploader 4 speed that has a bolt on shifter assembly with rods and levers like a regular 4 speed. Hawkrod

SROD:

Orion:

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » February 20, 2009, 7:47 am

Thanks guys!!

I wonder what the chances I could use my current bell housing on that tranny. Another PA member added a 3+1 trans using a 3-speed bell....
http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3821&start=0
That would save adding a MC and messing with the flywheel...

Post by **Casey 65** » February 20, 2009, 12:41 pm

If the transmission has not been changed the following chart would not lead one to belive it's a srod.

RTS
RTS-A 3Spd O/D 83-on Ford, 2WD Alum. Top Cover
RTS-B 3Spd O/D 83-on Ford, 4X4 Alum. Top Cover
RUG
RUG-B 3Spd O/D 77-84 Ford, 2WD Iron Case, TRUCK
SROD
SROD-D 3Spd O/D 79-83 Ford, 2WD Alum. Case, TRUCK
SROD-E 3Spd O/D 79-83 Ford, 4X4 Alum. Case, TRUCK

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » February 20, 2009, 2:46 pm

Well, I think I'll keep my eyes peeled.. From what I have found searching today I can use my existing bell, clutch, ect ect.

I also understand the shift ratios are not the best but IMO one less gear is a plus and not needing to mess with hydo stuff is also a plus..

Roger Carter · Post by **Roger Carter** » February 20, 2009, 8:18 pm

For what it's worth...
I have an all cast iron 3+1 in my '66. It is behind a warmed over 390 and has been there for ten years with no problems or issues. The 3+1 was a nuts and bolts swap, other than shortening the driveshaft, for the 3 speed that was in the truck originally. My 3+1 looks like the Orion trans that Hawkrod posted.
As I remember, the 3+1 was from a '77-'78 Granada or Monarch that had a 302 for power. I believe the all cast iron units were available in F-100's and Econolines in the late '70's also.
As previous posts stated the SROD and the aluminum cased 3+1's are very weak transmissions. Trust me on this.
Hope this helps.
Roger Carter

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » February 20, 2009, 9:12 pm

Roger, It sounds like you used your 3-speed bell??? Are the 3 & 4 speed bells the same????? Just making sure I could use my t-18 bell.

As far as the tranny it sound like I should look for a SMOD, the only cast iron 3+1 from the T170 series.... http://www.motivegear.com/tech_info/tra ... guide.html

So if I am reading this right the cast iron SMOD is the only truck 4-speed from '78 - '84 with the side mounted shifter.. Anything other four speed would be a aluminum SROD, aluminum TOD, T-18, T-19 all with the "direct" shifter.

Roger Carter · Post by **Roger Carter** » February 21, 2009, 8:09 pm

Jason,
You are correct. I used the original 3 speed bell housing, along with the original throw out fork, bearing, clutch and pressure plate. I can't say for sure that the 3 speed and 4 speed bells are the same. I believe they are, but not 100% sure.
From the link you provided it looks like the SMOD is the trans you are after.
As I said earlier, my trans is from a Granada/Monarch, not a truck.
I also used the Granada shifter. A slight bend at the base of the handle made for a stock appearing install. Hurst used to offer a shifter for the SMOD trans also.
Roger

matt2491 · Post by **matt2491** » February 21, 2009, 8:58 pm

I have that transmission in my '64. Works pretty good, nice out on the highway. Cut my RPMs right down. Its an aluminum case and is top-shifted.

Since that truck has the 300-6, the gear ratios are as follows:

1st - 3.25
2nd - 1.92
3rd - 1.00
4th - .79

As you can see, 2nd to 3rd is a big jump. As far as I'm concerned, that's the bad thing about this transmission. Coupled behind my 292, going from 2nd to 3rd always kinda sucks.

If you need any more info about these trannies, let me know.

--Matt

65_Slick · Post by **65_Slick** » February 22, 2009, 10:28 am

matt2491 wrote:I have that transmission in my '64. Works pretty good, nice out on the highway. Cut my RPMs right down. Its an aluminum case and is top-shifted.

--Matt

Matt

Do you have any pictures of your trans?

Marty

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » February 24, 2009, 4:22 pm

I think I found one but it is in a '86. Info on the TOD says 84-85 but the '86 was built in late 85 so I hope it is a TOD.. I couldn't look under it as all of its wheels were removed and sitting in snow and mud but I plan to go back with the tractor so I can lift the truck and get some numbers off it. The price is right too, free... Maybe I'll just grab it and spin it in high to see if it is a OD...

Casey, Do you know if the "A" would also be used on the door tag, the '86's door tag had an A for tranny

Casey 65 wrote:If the transmission has not been changed the following chart would not lead one to belive it's a srod.

RTS
RTS- A 3Spd O/D 83-on Ford, 2WD Alum. Top Cover
RTS-B 3Spd O/D 83-on Ford, 4X4 Alum. Top Cover
RUG
RUG-B 3Spd O/D 77-84 Ford, 2WD Iron Case, TRUCK
SROD
SROD-D 3Spd O/D 79-83 Ford, 2WD Alum. Case, TRUCK
SROD-E 3Spd O/D 79-83 Ford, 4X4 Alum. Case, TRUCK

Post by **Casey 65** » February 24, 2009, 5:58 pm

Try this site for info on the tranny. I hope it is some help.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/ ... coder.html

I'm not finding much on the '86 tranny codes. but, for the price it would be mine. LOL

norville · Post by **norville** » February 27, 2009, 8:14 am

Jason, for free you should take it regardless. I loved my TOD, you may also need to play around with different combo's of the "z" bar. Grab the mount on the frame while your under there and the driveshaft also, or at least measure it to see if you can use it. You will need the slip yoke from the tranny, or one from a c4 if I remember correctly.

Mine was behind a 390. I live in a very hilly area I really had no issues with it. Much more hilly than where you live. First is nice and deep, and the OD was a dream on the highway.

bob

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » February 27, 2009, 8:47 am

norville wrote:Jason, for free you should take it regardless. I loved my TOD, you may also need to play around with different combo's of the "z" bar. Grab the mount on the frame while your under there and the driveshaft also, or at least measure it to see if you can use it. You will need the slip yoke from the tranny, or one from a c4 if I remember correctly.

Mine was behind a 390. I live in a very hilly area I really had no issues with it. Much more hilly than where you live. First is nice and deep, and the OD was a dream on the highway.

bob

Hey Bob, Hows everything? Good to see ya here. I almost e-mailed you on this, cool you replied.

I should be all set with my clutch linkage, I'm hoping to just remove the "butterfly" bolts on my t-18 and install the O/D.. I plan to grab both driveshafts also.

With my shorter "120 WB, and the longer TOD tailshaft maybe I'll be lucky and be able to go to a one peice shaft, but not likely..