3-Speed Transaxle
 

Are there any visual signs that a transaxle is a 3-speed auto and not a 2-speed? I have a line on what is supposedly a 3-speed that I would like to swap in to my '62 to liven it up a bit but I want to make sure it is in fact a 3-speed.

No 3 speed transaxle,2 and 26 SD 4 speed autos made.3 speed and 4 speed stick shifts

So anything with a torque converter is gonna be a 2-speed?? Coulda sworn I read somewhere they made a 3-speed auto...

Yep,a basic Corvair powerglide?Tomf

No...the ones I was looking at were definitely Tempest transaxles, converter naked in the back and all.

Are there any 3 or 4 speed manual transaxles floating around I can scoop up?

:confused:

Are you staying with a 4 cyclinder engine?Tom

Yes sir I will be keeping the 4-cylinder.

I plan on hopping up a spare motor I've got and then putting this and whatever drivetrain I choose to go with that is not a 2-speed into the car. I just know the 2-speed will be an absolute dog.

For strength the 63 V8 drivetrain is the strongest manual system.The 63 V8 auto is the strongest of all.Tom

Is the '63 stuff interchangeable or will it require some fab work? And doesn't the v8 rope drive have a larger diameter?

I do believe you would have to get everything from the flywheel back.Ken Freeman from East west Auto might be the most knowledgeable.Tom

There's a complete set-up listed on Ebay...in Illinois. Not sure where you're located. It's listed for $ 250.00 or best offer.

A 63 setup wont swap right into a 61-62. Lots of things are different. The 61-62 automatics can be quite peppy with the correct differential gears.

The diff gears aren't special made? They are interchangeable with other sets?

Not interchangeable, need to find a diff from a 61-62 automatic trans car with a lower gear ratio than what you have. look on the right side of the diff down low on the case & towards the back of the case. There are small flat spots on the diff case that has number codes stamped in the case. Look for a letter code like an H, B, A, C or J. The factory service manual has the interchange to tell you what ratio you have. The standard gear set that was used in a lot of the Tempests is 3.08. The 62's were available with 3.08, 3.331, 3.55, 3.73 & 3.90. The best all around street gear I think is the 3.331 or 3.55. 3.08 is the main highway gear, 3.73 & 3.90 are pretty low ratios mainly for in town. RPM's would really be up there with those gears.