Transmission / Overdrive: Tansmission swap for a 170 OHV

[jramsey]

My tranny seems to be worthless and since everywhere we go its 30+ miles away if not more often 60. It sure would be nice to have an overdrive and a more reliable automatic transmission! I have been researching and seem to find a lot on a swap for stude v8's and a champ 185 or two. Has anyone seen, or know somone, or have done a GM tranny swap on the 170 OHV? I curently have a flight-o-matic and can only assume that, since studebaker's budget was so grand, the bolt pattern and hook up would be similar to the v8's of the same years.....but not excatly sure. I know I'll have to fabricate an adapter plate, hook up to the carb somehow, adjust the length of the drive shaft, and purchase a new starter...but thats all I know...so I need some help!

Would the GM 200-r4/4r be the best coice?

Would I need to use a different fly wheel?

What about my drive shaft and rear end?

Splines?....eerr I dont know what that means?

If you've done it, Please post some pictures!

Thanks in advance!

[RadioRoy]

What is happening with your current transmission? How is it acting and what is it doing wrong, or that you do not like?

Be careful with your assumptions. Learn your car and it's components before rushing off to modify it. On six cylinder cars, most of the operating components are a different size from V-8 cars.

What ever swap technique worked for the Champ 185, although Studebaker didn't put a 185 in a Champ truck, should be fine for the 170. It's essentially the same car/engine/frame/cowl.

You should also change the rear axle ratio. With a six automatic, you probably have between 3.54 to 4.10.

To fully utilize the advantages of the overdrive function, you should change to a ratio around 4.55.

If you have a 4.10 already, you might get away with it, but 4.10 with overdrive in my 51 Champion is just a bit too tall for my tastes. That is assuming a 33% overdrive. If the OD unit you put in the car is less than 33%, a different choice of rear end ratios is in order. Champion sixes like a final ratio of around 3.1 with overdrive engaged.

Either way, once you do the conversion your car will be much more enjoyable to drive. Good luck.

Another caveat: A conversion like this is not the type of thing that should be attempted by someone who does not know how cars work, what the parts are, and what they are called. Not trying to be insulting, but I have no way of judging your experience and talents. There are very few modern components that will just bolt in to an older orphan car. Some modifications and fabrications will be in order.

[jramsey]

My current transmission is no go at the moment. I adjusted the bands, linkages, and replaced the fluid and screen. I'm having trouble finding a modulator valve and got stuck on what to do. I looked on here for some answers and saw other people were swaping their's out with gm overdrive tranny's....I was wanting an overdrive anyways. I figured if I'm gonna have to take the tranny out to take to a tech, then this would be the perfect time if I want to do a swap.

I know the v8s are different, what I really meant was tranny choices....200-r4, 700, t-5, etc... If they have the same options in trannys than there must be a similarity, just don't know what.

I didnt realize the gear ratio would be a big deal.......but I guess I could play around with that after its converted.

Do you know if there are transmission years that are better to get and from what car? what tranny did you go with in your champ?

I refuse to take it to a professional, I won't learn anything that way. However I have a friend who is a professional and who is willing to help. just before we jump into it I thought I'd look on here first, since its been very helpful in the past.

[gordr]

My .02: In '62, the Flightomatic used behind the OHV six had the same case as the V* flightomatic, but different internals, and different torque converter and bellhousing. An adaptor kit for a GM automatic would have be one made for the OHV six; the kit for a V8 would not help you much. Starter location, etc.

The 200 4R tranny has better-spaced ratios for road driving; the 700 R4 has a lower first gear, intended for truck use, but it might also be useful to help you get out of the hole if you used it with a "taller" rear axle, like a 3.73. You are in flat country, and if you do most of your driving in flat country, I think your six could live with a 3.73 gearset and a 20% overdrive. But no lower! 3.07s are right out!

Contact Fairborn Studebaker or Myers Studebaker, and ask if they can provide you with a kit, and with advice. Some of the steps will have to be farmed out to a machine shop, like making a custom drive shaft, for instance.

If the old 170 is in less than excellent condition, I'd be real hesitant to spend big $$$ on putting a modern transmission behind it.

[Skybolt]

I have not read all the post here as I am not at home and don't have much time. FWIW I have an adapter plate that Studebaker used to put the V8 transmissions behind the OHV six in the trucks. With that you could bolt up anz Studebaker V8 style transmission, including automatics. Putting a GM trans adapter behind the plate could also be done but I have not seen this. Len.

[jramsey]

thanks for the links and info gordr and radioroy!

I contacted Myers to see what I can get, just waiting for a reply.

My 170 is in ok condition...I just did a top end rebuild, carb rebuild, painted everything, and got the air cleaner filter housing and valve cover flaked 3-4 months ago, dont wanna get rid of it now....Plus everone has a v8 and I kinda like being the odd man out......but it has its downs!

I live in Florida, so the nearest hill is a bridge over the river to accept large boats! or maybe a speed bump!'

skybolt, never head of such a thing!? interesting! I wonder if adding the two adapters would create too much space inbetween? I'll have to do a search on that one.

Do you know if the U joints for the drive shaft will match up to a gm tranny? would I need to get a custom driveshaft or get mine modified?

Thanks!

[Skybolt]

The plate is similar to the one you have only slightly bigger. If it allows the V8 trans to bolt up and the Chevy adapter plate bolts to the back of a Studebaker V8 then it would be the same distance. I got it to bolt a Ford trans behind an OHV six but went to a V8 because no matter what I did to the six, flathead or OHV, it did not have the torque or HP I needed. Different strokes for different folks. Best thing to do is what you are already doing, asking questions. Do some searches on the forum on your topic and you will find more information. Len.

[StudeRich]

/Cut/
#1 I curently have a flight-o-matic and can only assume that, since studebaker's budget was so grand, the bolt pattern and hook up would be similar to the v8's of the same years.....but not excatly sure. I know I'll have to fabricate an adapter plate, hook up to the carb somehow, adjust the length of the drive shaft, and purchase a new starter...but thats all I know...so I need some help!

#2. Would I need to use a different fly wheel?

#3. Splines?....eerr I dont know what that means?

#1 No the bolt pattern from the Bell Housing (Torque Converter Housing) is totally DIFFERENT from 6 to V-8) What is the same is the Transmission to Converter Housing pattern on stock Studebakers.

#2 Yes, also the Torque Converter.

#3. Splines are the serations on a shaft such as a Trans. output shaft, rear axle pinion shaft, inner end of an axle shaft to allow it to turn the object it is inserted into.

[studebakerkid]

You could convert it to a three speed.....I have most of the parts that you would need sitting in my stuff that I pulled from one of my T cabs....flywheel, bellhousing linkage transmission but you would have to have the bell matched to your engine. Shipping might be a bit but the parts are just sitting around so I would let them go cheep.