TELL ME ABOUT THE 51 COMMANDER AUTOMATIC TRANNY!

[Roscomacaw]

I have to throw in with Sonny here! A 3spd OD will afford you REAL versatility in driving. You can have the ass-kick take off of lower gears at the rear AND have easy hiway cruising with the OD advantage.[:0]

Geez! I wonder why you rarely SEE a standard shift Stude that came without Overdrive[?][?][?] Could it be that that lowly loser of a car company might have had a good idea or two?? You bet!

What would make it EASIEST for this transplant is that you find a Stude 3spd OD tranny FOR a V8 (T-86, NOT T-96). Through 1957, Stude used a 2-piece driveshaft such as what's in your 51. from '58-on, they used a 1-piece shaft which would require other mods to the car's floorboards to accomodate it.
Of course, you'll need the proper bellhousing, flywheel and clucth linkage. ALSO - you'll need to drop the oil pan and pull the rear main cap so you can change the 6 bolts that hold the flywheel. This is because those special bolts are of different length between auro tranny cars and stick tranny cars. You'll need the longer bolts to hold the Stick shift flywheel on. Of course - you'd have to address these bolts no matter WHAT stick shift tranny you chose to go with!

Miscreant at large.

[51studer]

Thanks guys. I figured They weren't pulling my chain. I'll keep in mind the bolt issue. All in all, I just figured the manual was a cheaper way to go and still keep it a Studebaker. And as far as I'm concerned, I can effect the way the car can kick @$$ with a stick. And an overdrive to boot. Freeway speeds all day. I'm hoping to be able to get to 110+ MPH to show Studebaker is still alive and what was the beginning of hot rods. Drive it love it and prove it.[}]

[Roscomacaw]

While I like an automatic-trannied Stude, the 3spd O/D is really the ultimate in driveability. Yes, 4-spds are fun. So's a 5spd O/D (in a truck)such as Stude used at one point.
But once you get accustomed to driving a Stude with the 3spd O/D in it, it feels like anything else you drive is lacking.
I like your spirit here! I've always held that a fast Studebaker with an alternate powerplant just proves how fast that powerplant can go - it does little to perpetuate Studebaker's own legacy. [V]Studebaker's engines were as much a part of a Studebaker as the interesting styling of the sheet metal.[:0] Sadly, not many take that point of view.
Stay true to your goal here and make us all proud. Fairly certain that they're not real accurate, I've nonetheless buried the speedo needles on my Transtar and 60 Lark ragtop a time or two.[}] It's exhilarating for sure! I can't imagine what it's like to do close to 200 on the salt flats but a Stude can be coaxed into doing that too![:0]

Miscreant at large.

[Roscomacaw]

NEWS FLASH! Just this morning, I got lead to a fella that KNOWS the DG transmissions REALLY well and will rebuild them. He's in the Los Angeles area. He knows the later Flight-o-matics as well. E-mail me if you want contact info.

Miscreant at large.

[51studer]

Hey guys. I had another question about the 3spd O/D manual tranny. I was told that I need to get a different rear end to go with the tranny due to my 3.54:1 rear gears. I don't think it's a problem considering the tranny gears are tall anyway until you get to the O/D gear. What do you all think?

[Guest]

Keep in mind that the most old 3speed transmissions only have a 2.5-1 first gear. That is much taller than say a modern 5 or 6 speed manual that commonly have 3.5-1 or lower first gear to go along with 3.55 axle. With a V-8 you would be ok but with a Champ 6 it would require lots of clutch sliping to get going.

Restore it, don't replace it.Keep the Studebaker reproduction industry going

[51studer]

So basically the first gear is a freeway ratio? Meaning I will have practically zero acceleration out of first. Or is the first gear made for torque? What does this mean? Yes it is a 232 V-8 .060 over, and going to have 259 high ratio heads installed with a triple- 2BBL. setup possibly. Get back to me.

[Roscomacaw]

I have the '51 shop manual in front of me. The Commander tranny that came with this model (talkin' standard shift OD here) had a 2.57 to 1 first gear. This was usually coupled with a 4.56 rear axle. Such allowed for a right sprightly takeoff while OD allowed relative loafing at speed (and remember, we didn't HAVE the superhiways we have today!)[|)]

Miscreant at large.

[51studer]

Yes but I have an auto tranny rear axle right now and I thought it was a 3.54ish to 1. I don't know, you tell me what you all think.[xx(]

[Roscomacaw]

I understood what you were saying, and yes, it's likely it's a 3.54 ratio rear.

Miscreant at large.

[51studer]

Ok guys, all said here, sorry I'm flighty with my ideas and there are many in my brain, just can't come up with a solution. Newer 5 speed stick tranny w/adapter taller gearing with the shorter gearing rear vs. Stude stick tranny that I MAY be able to scrounge up somewhere and find all the parts necessary to convert. Then on top of this, which stick stude tranny to get. It's all got to be fabricated anyways, so I don't really care which route, I just want a nice rod to blow non studes away with a stude powerplant and not spend thousands of dollars. Prices of both options including parts could help with the descision please. Yes I am doing all the work so there is no labor cost involved here. [8D]

[Chicken Hawk]

quote:Originally posted by 51studer

Ok guys, all said here, sorry I'm flighty with my ideas and there are many in my brain, just can't come up with a solution. Newer 5 speed stick tranny w/adapter taller gearing with the shorter gearing rear vs. Stude stick tranny that I MAY be able to scrounge up somewhere and find all the parts necessary to convert. Then on top of this, which stick stude tranny to get. It's all got to be fabricated anyways, so I don't really care which route, I just want a nice rod to blow non studes away with a stude powerplant and not spend thousands of dollars. Prices of both options including parts could help with the descision please. Yes I am doing all the work so there is no labor cost involved here. [8D]

I have a good T86 overdrive transmission for a '51 but again where are you located?

Ted

[Bunzard]

51Studer, Would you be interested in a perfectly functioning, used automatic from a '64 Stude w/259? The price with shipping would be far less than the rebuild prices being quoted.

[51studer]

Well, I'm in southern california. I really want a manual to convert to. I know the stude auto is an amazin peice of work, but I love to be able to dump that clutch and feel the power shifting gears. It is also much more reliable for the most part/ and I can tackle a rebuild without worry.[8D]