Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Back some time ago, I was wondering what all combinations of transmissions and drivelines (makes and models) were used in the old super modified / 30x90 type cars of the 60's and 70's that were self starting and would ensure use of a closed drive shaft? Did anyone ever race with an automatic transmission? What years were popular to use? Did anyone ever hear of an air cooled chevy trans? I know some guys would alter the internals of some transmissions.I would like to put an old super mod /30 x 90 together but am only familiar with direct drive sprints. thanks

Interesting question/post.

I asked my old (as in age) cousin (who thinks he remembers his dad's 'combo') from maybe the real early 60's and he says it seems it was a 'gutted' 3 speed (maybe pick up truck tranny) top shifter with all the un-needed gears removed and a heavy duty non rubber 'bungee' type cord to lock it down and to keep the pressure on the shifter so not to pop out of gear.

This was in the old super modified days of Knoxville with multi carbs (says it would pass everything ..... but a fire extinguisher) and all springer suspensions.

They would chop and narrow old Studebaker pick up cabs for bodies and thinks they were still bump started but could have used starters with batteries.

R.A.

S.H.S.

Member of this message board since 1997

Hawker, did you use an open or closed driveline with the 3 speed?

Member of this message board since 1997

Do you remember how you adapted for the closed driveline onto the rear of the 3 speed?

You didn't ask me...(but I will volunteer the following) my cousin thought it was just a u-joint with a driveshaft ... seems to him it was like it was a home made smaller diameter shaft and it went to a old Ford tube axle rear end with a quick change center section and was mounted some way without a rear u-joint to the pinion shaft (maybe with a flange??)

I am pulling almost 50 year old memories (from a 12 to 15 year old at the time boy) here, so these may not be correct.

R.A.

S.H.S.

Thanks for the info R.A. I'm not at all familiar with them, but thought someone once was talking about a "toploader' trans"? Is that what you were referring to in your previous post?

Top loader is the 'little lady's' Maytag ..... just kidding ...top loader I believe is the way you access the 'innards' of the manual tranny ....most U.S. passenger cars from the 50's on were from the side plate but some had their access plate on the top, hence: toploader ..... I think.

It seems to me those old 40's and 50's 3 speeds and on into the 70's 4 speeds truck trannys were top loaders as the shifter and the shifting forks would have been on top since the shifter came up thru the floor (not on the 'tree') pre Hurst/Drag Fast shifter days.

R.A.

S.H.S.

Paul Martens in Fairview used to sell those nance 3 speed adaptors

oldtom

Don't say 'ouch' ..... it guys like you and my late uncle that made racing memories for so many prior generations.

We (or at least I, say 'thank you.')

R.A.

S.H.S.

Member of this message board since 1997

I am here Patrick, Yes, I remember, I think. I have used about everything, but in the end when I crashed in 1980 I was using an in and out box with a crowerglide. I have use a mini clutch, (burn up clutches to easy) and regular chevy heavy duty clutch. We would go to the salvage and use the front half of a Ford yoke and the back half of a chevy yoke. In 1975 or 1976 we all had pretty much went to the closed drive lines with a torque tube.

I appreciate everyones input. Has anyone ever used an automatic chevy trans and if so, what type/year would you look for and how would you "doctor it up" for use? I'm thinking on how you could cool the fluid as in passenger cars where the lines go into the bottom of the radiator for cooling.If i'm not mistaken some use an automatic in a vintage car application which is what i would be doing.

Bruce Jennings would be the one to answer that question. He is in the Transmission business in Okla. City and I remember his Dad, Earnest or Uncle, Darrel tried an automatic transmission. Chevy Powerglide, I believe an early 60's model.

Member of this message board since 1997

Hi Bruce I saw your post on Hosehead about auto trans and thought i would get a hold of you. I recently bought a car to restore and run in vintage shows with the MVVRCA club out of iowa and back home with VMSC club out of Mil. Wis. My problem is i dont have mush info on the car or where it ran other than it was somewhere in mid central states about 20-30 years ago and then brought back to Wisconsin and kept in a garage till now. The car looks like a B Trostle frame very early from the pictures that were posted on HoseHead of Billy D restored car. I cant find any serial numbers on the car but think it might be one of his from comparing pictures with a buggy spring frt endmts and wheels and knock off hubs.It has a small blk engine iron heads and a Predator carb. Powerglide trans and is attached to a sprint car rear end. Ther is no converter only a small valve attached to the trans and running to a coolerand back to the trans. It has a blue sprint car hood and blue tail like a sprint car and black frame.They must have had a cooling problem since ther are round holes in frt of hood and the radiater was mounted upright in the frame and the corners stick out threw the hood. If you or any one else ses this post and can remember anything abut this car or running a Powerglide trans please send me a email. Any info will be much appreciated Thanks Rick

That sounds like a 100" car Paul Martens of Fairview, OK sold some years back.

Hi Bruce Thanks for poting so soon .Ill try and put some pictures on in the next couple of days.Please check back in a couple day and have a good new year Rick