Transmission / Overdrive: Use what I've got? : 66 FOM & 62 259???

[Jeff T.]

Unless something unexpected happens in the next few days, I will be bringing home a 62 vintage 259 to carry me through until I can afford a complete rebuild on it or another 259.

I need to figure out if I can use any of the available automatics that I have in the garage or the barn...

I have a couple of FOMs but not sure if any of them would work with a 259. I have a couple of FOMs from sixes which I believe the 259 would trash. I have a FOM out of a 66 w/283 and cable kickdown... can you use these with a Studebaker engine?

Trying to use what I've got, if I can.

There's no rush because i have plenty of holes to patch on the left side between the cowl and the trunk

Jeff T.

[StudeRich]

There are a few issues with trying to use the GM Engine setup Flight-O-Matic.
In addition to the strange to a Stude. Throttle Pressure Cable (it is not a kickdown) it has a special Torque Converter to mate to the GM Engine. I do not know if you could make the GM compatible front pump connect to a Stude. Converter. Those are H.D. Trans. with the Oil Cooling lines, but if you never had the chance to drive any of them it is still a gamble.

The 6 Cyl. Trans. are very close to the same strength as a V-8 missing one or two Clutch Plates really no big deal, but have Low Gear Starts and would not be good for a strong 289 or R1, but fine for a 259, I would probably lean toward using one of those.

We do have to be sure that these 6 Cyl. are pre 1963 Cast Iron Case Units, because they did go to a lightweight Aluminum case Borg Warner Model 35 for those, and you do not want to go there.

[Jeff T.]

Now that I know I can reuse my current FOM, can I reuse my current torque converter... I figure that I need a different bellhousing and will need to do the dial indicating during assembly.

Jeff T.