T10 preference for daily driving

[wdills]

According to the production order, my 61 Hawk originally had a 4 speed trans. At some point in its past life, someone has installed a 3 spd overdrive. I want to put it back like it is supposed to be. I found a guy that has some T10's and the original shift likage, but he asked if I wanted a close ratio or wide ratio. I have no idea. I don't plan on driving the car hard, just puttering around back and forth to shows and maybe to work occasionally.

Any suggestions / recommendations?

Thanks
Wayne

[TX Rebel]

I wasn't aware that T-10's supplied in '61 Studes had more that one ratio available. I have 2 good ones in stock, btw...

[N8N]

If you really want to make it original, you need a close ratio T-10 with the Chevy pattern and associated special bellhousing. I'm pretty sure that that was the only 4-speed in '61, unless there was an optional wide ratio version of the Chevy-pattern box (and I assume if that were the case there'd be an option code on your build sheet for same.)

As to what is easier to drive, I don't notice a real difference, honestly. My '62 had a close ratio, my '55 has a wide ratio. The '62 had a 3.31:1 rear while the '55 has a 3.73 (but it does have an aluminum flywheel.) I don't really notice the difference in difficulty launching, honestly - the BMW 330 that I drove this weekend was harder to launch than either due to its apparently feather-weight flywheel. (the BMW was much more pleasant to shift, however, in its defense... and while Studebakers have a distinct and wonderful exhaust sound, so does a BMW straight six... and heel-and-toeing in a Bimmer - really more like "two-sides-of-footing" - is so easy that even I can rip off perfect downshifts like a pre-sequential-box era rally driver.)

nate

[PackardV8]

Three opinions, based upon much experience:

1. The 3-speed w/overdrive and a good floorshift is the best all-around manual transmission for a Studebaker.

2. The close-ratio T10 with a 3.73-or-lower rear gear, R2+cam and springs is the best racing transmission.

3. The wide-ratio T10 is really no faster or quicker an all-synchro 3-speed would be. The stock '61 Stude V8 has such a wide torque curve and peaks at such a low RPM, it doesn't make 1/10-of-a-second difference 0-60 if you skip 3rd and go directly to 4th gear. Third gear does make a nice downshift passing gear, however. If you want a daily driver T10, go with the wide ratio. The trannies and bell housings are easier to find and less expensive than the close-ratio, anyway.

jack vines

[candbstudebakers]

Buy one to match your bell housing with the 3 speed your should have the ford pattern bolt spacing, the wide pattern are getting harder to find and so are the transmission, nice to find a full set up if you can, I have had then in the past but sold all and most are now in Australia, good luck, like Jack states 3 speed and floor shift is nice set up with overdrive hard to beat.

[wdills]

Everybody seems to think the 3 spd overdrive floor shift is a nice setup. How much would it affect the the value of the car if I stay with the 3 speed? I am planning on a full frame off restoration.

[PackardV8]

Yes, for resale, having a T10 might be worth a few hundred more than the cost of the conversion, but only a few.
No,, staying with the 3-speed is not bastardizing the car, as it was a regular option
Maybe, you should consider it is not an irreversible decision, like a Camaro front clip, a BBC and a top chop. You can always install the T10 at any future date without changing or harming any of your restoration.

jack vines

[woodysrods]

I just sold my T86e from my 56 power hawk a month ago, as I plan to replace it with a 1996 Camaro 6 speed. But, just a couple of weeks ago I purchased a 61 Hawk for my wife with an Automatic. Are these Autos any good or should I be looking to replace it? I was planning to leave her car "stock" with the 289.?????????????????
Good Roads
Brians

[PackardV8]

Hi, Brian,

The old Borg-Warner automatic in your Hawk was used in millions of Fords, Jaguars, AMC and many others. For a daily driver, it is fine. Parts are readily available.

jack vines

[2R5]

Brian , if you ever want to change that car to a 4spd , I have the bellhousing , clutch, flywheel , 4spd tranny , driveshaft and crossmember out of a '61 hawk . I bought it a few years ago , not sure why but I do things like that <g>

[woodysrods]

Brian , if you ever want to change that car to a 4spd , I have the bellhousing , clutch, flywheel , 4spd tranny , driveshaft and crossmember out of a '61 hawk . I bought it a few years ago , not sure why but I do things like that <g>

I love standards! But this is my wifes car and she is happy it is an Automatic. I just want to know more about the Automatic in her car???
But Thanks anyway.
Good Roads
Brian

[JRoberts]

Three opinions, based upon much experience:

1. The 3-speed w/overdrive and a good floorshift is the best all-around manual transmission for a Studebaker.

2. The close-ratio T10 with a 3.73-or-lower rear gear, R2+cam and springs is the best racing transmission.

3. The wide-ratio T10 is really no faster or quicker an all-synchro 3-speed would be. The stock '61 Stude V8 has such a wide torque curve and peaks at such a low RPM, it doesn't make 1/10-of-a-second difference 0-60 if you skip 3rd and go directly to 4th gear. Third gear does make a nice downshift passing gear, however. If you want a daily driver T10, go with the wide ratio. The trannies and bell housings are easier to find and less expensive than the close-ratio, anyway.

jack vines

Jack you may be correct about #2, but I would think only if you are drag racing. In my opinion other forms of racing might well do better with the wide ratio version of the T10.

[wdills]

I was starting to lean torwards the idea of keeping the 3 spd, but then the car finally arrived yesterday. The guy I bought it from told me that it had a 3 spd in the floor, which I knew wasn't factory, but I "ASSUMED" it was done correctly. Well when I started looking it over, I discovered that they didn't install the overdrive kick-out switch and it didn't have the overdrive lockout handle under the dash. Whoever did this just installed a toggle switch on the shifter that powers the solenoid. This means I still have to hunt parts to get it operating correctly.

I think I am just going to install a 4 spd like it was supposed to have to start with.

Anybody got and T10's with linkage avaliable? I will get under the car tomorrow and determine which bolt pattern I need.

[wdills]

BTW, TX Rebel and 2R5, I sent you both PM's looking for more infor on the T10's and associated stuff you have for sale.

[2R5]

Email sent