Transmission Choices

[Commander51]

My 51 Commander is due for a major rework. I am replacing the 232 with a 259; that was tough enough on the wallet, but now the DG200 is making unhappy noises. I wouldn't be adverse to dropping some time and money into the transmission, but the previous owner already blew through $4500[:0] on this unit; consequently, I think it's a lost cause.

What are my transmission alternatives?? I'm more interested in keeping up with the flow of traffic than fuel economy (I may regret this later...) I prefer automatics but overdrive is tempting. My other priority is to KEEP IT SIMPLE with regards to the replacement or swap.

Have at it, fellas, and THANKS!!





51 Commander State Sedan

Kittanning, PA

[Roscomacaw]

Probably the simplest swap for you (and factoring the DG tranny out) would be to find a 56 or 57 Flight-o-Matic and have it overhauled (should come in under a grand WITH a rebuilt torque convertor.

This era Flight-o-Matic is configured for the 2-piece driveshaft as is found on your '51. You'll need the FOM bellhousing as well and it'll have to be "dialed in" to the 259 your planning on using. You wanna do this with the engine out of the car so doing it as you ready the 259 in is a good time to do so.
You could get a 1st gear start valve body OR if you got lucky in your search for an early FOM, you might locate one of the early 1956 FOMs that came with 1st gear start. And make sure you look for a V8 FOM. A 6cyl unit would bolt up to a V8 and function alright as long as you didn't rough it up. But you want a V8 tranny. Then, no worries.

Beyond this is considering a GM 200R4 or 700R4 automatic with OD. You'll need a tranny, an adaptor kit, changes to linkages, cables, driveshaft, rear engine mounts, etc., but that would get you a modern 1st gear start with OD to boot.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[Commander51]

Mr Biggs, how do I tell one FOM from another?? [:I]

51 Commander State Sedan

Kittanning, PA

[whacker]

Your other choice might be to get a three speed with overdrive. If you could get a 1951 or 52 V8 parts car, you could get all the nessessary parts and swap them over, then part out the car to recover your cost. You would need the pedal and clutch linkage, the bellhousing, the shift linkage, the front driveshaft, maybe a few other pits and pieces, but you could recover your cost with the resalable parts from the parts car. Something along the lines of this one here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Studebaker-Commander-None_W0QQitemZ330000873478

Just a suggestion.

[Alan]

The one you need parts out of is a 67,68,69 Ford cast iron Cruis-o-matic, they are usualy found behind 289's.

[Roscomacaw]

"Mr Biggs, how do I tell one FOM from another?? "

As to vintage, the 56-57 FOMs would have a fixed yoke on the rear of the tranny to accept the U-joint of the driveshaft. Later FOMs have a splined shaft sticking out to accept a slip yoke. These later ones have a longer, aluminum, rear housing whereas the earlier style is shorter and made of steel - as well as having the aforementioned yoke at the rear.
As to 6 vs V8, that could be a problem. In their "whiz-dumb" Borg Warner used different color ID tags to signify different application FOMs[B)] With age, the paint's often gone - leaving ONLY the particular unit's serial number which tells you nothing as to it's application. That said, I still have a couple of those units here with enough discernable color to distinguish what their intended to serve behind. So you STILL can find one if need be.
There might be other ways to discern a 6 cyl unit from a V8 but I'd need to consult SDC FOM specialist, John
Metzker to know what's what with the internals.


Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[N8N]

I'd be tempted to do an OD conversion, nothing else has the gear spread of a 3/OD except a modern 5- or 6-speed.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
62 Daytona hardtop

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Bunzard]

I have an automatic from my '64 Daytona w/259 that worked good. I pulled it when rebuilding the engine and replaced with a 700R4 as the car is slated to get a lot of highway miles and economy is important. All the pieces are taking up space in my shop and you can have it by paying the freight to your house. I will be moving to another location in a couple weeks and the trans must go. If you can use it let me know.[?] Grant

[ma1951]

I CONVERTED MY 51 COMMANDER FROM AUTOMATIC TO 3 SPEED OVERDIVE. YOU CAN NOT TELL THAT IT DID NOT COME FROM THE FACTORY THAT WAY. THIS IS A VERY DEPENDABLE SET UP.

[mbstude]

Hey Mike. (I know who ma1951 is now.) Just so you know, I never even knew your car was an automatic until you told me. You know, you should get that thing out, polish it up, give it a tune up, and drive it to the next meeting! That's a nice little car and looks good going down the highway. [8D]

Matthew Burnette, the 16 year old Stude nut.
South Georgia Chapter Newsletter Editor
63 Daytona HT (project)
51 2R16 dump truck (yes, I won the raffle)
52 Commander Starliner (basket case)(will trade for another Stude <g&gt
MANY more Studes in the family and a few parts cars.
Click my name and check out "Links".