Thread: Need Help Identifying a Ford Manual Transmission

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Thanks guys for your rapid response. A 3 speed with overdrive 4th seems like it might not be a bad combination for a mild street rod. I do not abuse my vehicles so do you think it would hold up? As I think back, I had an 84 F150 with a 302 and a 3 speed with overdrive which was fine in a light duty application. If that is the same transmission, I might just go for it. I am interested in your opinions. Thanks

I put 100K miles on one behind a 351W in a '79 Mustang with no trans problems whatever. The 351 has enough torque to pull through the wide ratio spread between 2 and 3. I wouldn't hesitate to use one in a rod.

Thanks R Pope. That just reinforces my experience with the one I had in my F150. I do not abuse my vehicles so that transmission is a definate option. Now if I can just find enough parts to rebuild it .

Can anyone out there lead me in the direction of finding a rebuild kit for my 3 speed with overdrive tranny. There's a number on the tail stock RF-D7DR-7A040-AA. I have a 68 ford torino fastback GT. I did find out that this tranny came out of a ford truck. Also its a RUG CL J4 on the tag of the tranny. This car has a 302 engine.

Just for the record, not all non-OD Toploaders have the 8 bolt hole dual pattern. And, don't get the SROD version with internal shift linkage, they are a bitch to get to shift good. As far as abusing the OD, go ahead! Mine stood up to thousands of powershifts and even taught a few kids to slamshift in my ol' Tang, the clutch (and the engine!) took a beating but the trans never gave a moment's grief. They also came in some cars, Granada's and little Mercs for a few. They are common enough that I'd just look around for a good one rather than rebuild the one you have. Oh, and the trucks have different OD ratios than the cars, so there are choices you can make.
IMO, it's a good choice for a Ford engined car, as long as you have enough torque to pull through the gap between 2 and 3.
Oh, one more thing. An easy way to tell a straight 4 from an OD is, on the 4, the shift levers all point the same way, the OD unit has the 3/4 lever pointing the other way.