Hi,
After an absence of a few years, it's good to be back.

I have a 1949 Roadmaster 320cu.in. engine that I want to set up with a 3 speed manual transmission. The motor originally came with a Dynaflow automatic. I know the adaptor off the engine will have to change for the manual transmission. My questions is, what years and case numbers of manual transmissions will bolt up to this engine? Where the 40 and 50 series transmissions the same as the 60, 70, and 90 series transmissions? I've assumed that I need a unit from 1941 - 48, from a 60, 70, or 90 series car, but not sure. If anyone has one that will fit, and a clutch, please let me know.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bains

Hi,

I'm just learning about this - may want to view my "wickedgoodracing" message. We are attempting to install a '50 "320" to a 41 manual trans. The manual bellhousing fits the block fine.

However, the dynaflow crank and the manual crank are apparently different in their machining. The manual flywheel center area needs to be machined a bit to fit over the crank boss. It appears that the manual flywheel will bolt up once the center is opened up.

Being a dynaflow engine, there is no "pilot bearing" as the manual transmission has. It appears that we will have to machine some sort of adapter to replace/adapt a pilot bushing to the dynaflow crank. It does look to be do-able.

It appears that these two moves will mate the dynaflow engine to a manual transmission. Can't confirm that until we have completed our attempt....

Ron

Thanks for the info Ron.

Does anyone know the year and model range of what manual transmissions will bolt up to a 320 motor? I've heard that the 40 and 50 series transmissions which were bolted to the 248 & 263 motors, are different and will not fit the 320 engines.

The 320 was never offered with a manual transmission, so none will "bolt up". You will have to follow the same procedure as wickedgoodracing is suggesting.

Myself, I have just brought home a warner t-5 5speed which I am going to look at hooking up to a 263.

I expect the reason wickedgoodracing is using an old Buick 3spd is he is probably attempting to squeeze a 320 into a car he wishes to keep an original air to. If your going to the effort of putting a standard in a Roadmaster (320) and going to use a floorshift (because they you would have to instal a column shift to keep original air) you probably might as well change the driveline and put in a better transmission.

From what I've read recently, the 320 motor has been around since 1937 at least, until early 1952. The Dynaflow automatic trans didn't arrive until 1948, so the previous motors had manual transmissions. An adaptor for a Dynaflow motor does have to be made for a manual transmission to mate up, but I'm trying to determine if that's the only concern for a 60, 70, or 90 series manual transmission. And also if a 40 or 50 series transmission will work with an adaptor, or if they are too different completely to work on a 320 motor.

torq tube transmissions

40/50 series are smaller transmissions,[the small series trans was also used on Olds and Pontiacs], the 'big' Buick trans is strong as a Cad/lasalle, and was used on both Buick, and Olds V8,s, mebbe some Cads too? Olds upto 1964! [Olds was an open drive buick trans][except for 1949/50]
most 320,s after 49 had dynaflows, i dont claim to know of any standard trans but they may have had some. The cranks have a large area bored for the dynaflow trans, so the standard pilot brg. doesnt fit.An adapter can be fabricated [i have a '52 crank in my 39]. The 36, thru 38, large series trans are floor shifts [which have a neat hot rod look on later models]and will bolt on the 49 thru 52 320,s.The 39 trans is by itself, it is a column shift cable/and shift arm operated selector,and differnt torq tube arrangement. wud take more work to install. Small series have the same shifter arrangement as the big trans, so you shud be able to use small series column shift mechanisms, and the clutch mechanisms too. Early model clutch mechanisms from Buick and other GM models may be adapted into the later Buicks, [??]but u havto checkit out!!This info pertains to torq tube model buicks, and is from memory, and actual installs, so i cant gaurantee everything, but it gives you an idea of what to look for, measure and check
everything before you buy, but buy if its cheep. good luck and have fun!

You can get a good idea how to install an open drive setup. look up 'JYRKI,S BUICK SITE, on google. Jyrki has threads here in TEAM BUICK see his many Buick projects.
http://www.teambuick.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif
Also the 54, 55, and 56 V8 Buicks all series can have the earlier 36 thru 38 floor shiftd bolted in. However it takes some early Buick parts to do that. The V8,s have the same basic column shift standard trans, as 40, thru 56, not sure about the later ones.

Thanks 39CENT - that's the info I was looking for. This will be set up with a floor shift when it's done. Any idea where I might find info on the case numbers that relate to the large and small transmissions, so I don't end up with a 40 or 50 series unit?

If you like the 320w/stick. 46- 47 320's had standard trans, but not insert bearings unless someone converted them. Easier to add inserts to a different 320 w/stick crank, than it sounds to convert dynaflow eng. to standard crank specs. Floor shift trans from 36,37,38-320's were only stick trans available, except very rare self shifter. Check with Dave @ 763-427-3460 CST so time call accordingly. He will typically have a floor shifter, clutch, bellhousing etc at most times. Maybe good eng.as well. Best bet for 37-38, he's in the torque tube newsletter for those cars. If not I may have everything but floor shift trans. Best Regards, Greg PS small trans have 5 bolt top cover large 6 or7.

check out Terrill Machine for insert rods, and engine parts, if they are still in business. Look in Hemmings mag to get address.



(http://ll.hemmings.com/pdfs/TerrillMa63903.pdf)

I'm new to this website so you have probably already resolved your problem, but, here goes in case you still need info. The 320 was introduced in 1936 with a floor mounted stick. I think it was either '39 or '40 the shift was moved to the steering column. The 320 cu in engine requires a heavier duty trans than the smaller 248/263 cu in. In 1948 the Dyna Flow (automatic) transmission was introduced on Roadmaster only. I believe '49 on the automatic was standard but a stick could be special ordered. I am not sure about the standard (stick) shift tranny "size" that was used from '49 up. The engine with Dyna Flow had a larger hole in the flywheel to accommodate the large nosepiece of the torque converter. In order to use a standard transmission one must find a flywheel from a stick shift car that has the smaller center hole for the pilot (bushing) bearing. I suppose one could find a machine shop that would make an "insert" for the larger hole in the flywheel machine a smaller hole in the center of the insert to accommodate the pilot bushing. (?) I have a standard transmission from a 1947 Roadmaster Series 70 that will need some repairs as it was "jumping" out of either 1st or 2nd gear (can't remember which one) and I found one that was rebuilt many years ago and stuck back on a shelf in rebuilders that had been in business in Phoenix, Az since the 40's. If you still need one and are interested in purchasing one from me you can contact me at bwinnett1@cox.net. Hopefully, you will have already found a solution.

I had always heard that you coudn't bolt a small series tranny to a large series engine and vice versa, so when I read this discussion, I went out to my garage where I have a couple trannys from each series and made a couple rough measurements where they bolt to the bell housing. The hoizontal bolt hole to bolt hole measurement seems to be the same upper and lower. However, when measuring from upper to lower holes, there is a 1/2 inch difference, 4 1/4" vs. 4 3/4". The main case is 8" long[small series] and 10 1/2" [large series]. The large tranny has 6 bolt cover and the small series is 5 bolt. Hope this helps.:shield:

I know this reply is late, because I'm new as well to this site. But I have some facts I'd like to share. 33 Years ago, I put a 1950 320 in my 1948 Roadmaster, the 320 had a crankshaft for a Dynaflow Transmission. This is what I had to do, have an adaptor made for the pilot bearing. Have the bore of the syncro mesh flywheel made larger to accomodate the crankshaft. Also had 6 special bolts made to mount the flywheel to the crankshaft. I have removed the 1950 engine recently, and put a 1948 320 in it's place. My Roadmaster came from the factory with a syncro mesh transmission, Dynaflow was an option only for the Roadmaster in 1948, in 1949 it was available for the Super as well, and the rest is history. If anyone is intersted in the flywheel, and adaptor. They are for sale.