Transmission / Overdrive: Lark 4 Speed

[kamzack]

I've been considering a 4 speed for my 62 Daytona and have a T10 cornered. What bolt pattern is required for the bellhousing, Ford or GM? It has a T86o/d.
Thanks in advance,
Kim

[PackardV8]

The T86 in Larks is/was the Ford pattern bellhousing. Use your existing bellhousing with a '62-64 T10.

jack vines

[K-Hawk]

I think I remember reading on a post that the Chevy pattern would work, all you need to do was enlarge 2 of the holes a bit and it would line right up. Perhaps you can check archives on this. Good luck. Or what Jack said.

[Studebakercenteroforegon]

The "Ford" bolt pattern Studebaker T-10 is actually '63 - '64. The '61 - '62 Studebaker T-10 is the "Chevrolet" bolt pattern. I once changed a 3 speed '63 Daytona Wagon over using a '63 4 speed. I'd already had the drive shaft lengthened the required amount, so with cutting the floorboard for the shifter and swapping the transmissions, I was ready to drive it after about 2 hours work. Well, I was younger then... Fortunately the Wagon was a straight 3 speed - no overdrive - so the 3.31 rear end was perfect for the swap.

[studeluvr]

My 62 Hawk GT has the chevy pattern and the Hurst shifter.

[irish]

As others have stated, the 61-62 4-speeds had the chevy bolt pattern, but since you have a T-86 you'll want the ford bolt pattern (63-64) T-10 that way you can use the bell housing you have. Another thing to check is the gear ratio. They were available with a 2.20 1st gear (close ratio) and a 2.54 1st gear (wide ratio), personally I would avoid the 2.20 1st gear.

Joe

[kamzack]

So, Did the 62 4 Speed trans use the chevy bolt pattern and the T86 o/d tans use the ford? Can I in fact elongate holes to make chevy work? Excuse me dumbness, but why should I avoid the 2:20 first gear ratio? Will the input shaft work with my stock clutch disc? I also hope that with the 3:31 gear it will a good swap as well. I should probably leave well enough alone as the o/d and gear combo works very well, but want the novelty of the 4 speed and hope not to loose top gear rpms.
Thanks for the guidance,
Kim

[irish]

So, Did the 62 4 Speed trans use the chevy bolt pattern and the T86 o/d tans use the ford? Can I in fact elongate holes to make chevy work? Excuse me dumbness, but why should I avoid the 2:20 first gear ratio? Will the input shaft work with my stock clutch disc? I also hope that with the 3:31 gear it will a good swap as well. I should probably leave well enough alone as the o/d and gear combo works very well, but want the novelty of the 4 speed and hope not to loose top gear rpms.
Thanks for the guidance,
Kim

The 61-62 4-speeds are the 'odd-balls' with the Chevy bolt pattern. The 3-speeds, o/d's, and 63-64 4 speeds use the ford bolt pattern. I don't know the exact measurements but the Chevy pattern is wider, from side to side the bolt holes are about 3 inches farther apart than the ford bolt pattern. Nothing wrong with the close ratio 2.20 first gear trans just that it will give you a slighty slower take-off than the 2.54 first gear.

Joe

[Skip Lackie]

So, Did the 62 4 Speed trans use the chevy bolt pattern and the T86 o/d tans use the ford? Can I in fact elongate holes to make chevy work? Excuse me dumbness, but why should I avoid the 2:20 first gear ratio? Will the input shaft work with my stock clutch disc? I also hope that with the 3:31 gear it will a good swap as well. I should probably leave well enough alone as the o/d and gear combo works very well, but want the novelty of the 4 speed and hope not to loose top gear rpms.
Thanks for the guidance,
Kim

Not sure I understood your comment about not losing top gear rpms, but the gear ratio of 4th gear in a 4-speed is 1:1, just like the 1:1 ratio of 3rd in a 3-speed without OD. The OD reduces high-rear rpms by about 27%. If you are changing the rear axle ratio at the same time, some of that loss can be recovered.