Recommendations: three on the tree with overdrive vs. auto

[AbileneThomas]

I am looking at a couple of 390 bumps one with three on the tree and factory overdrive vs. one with an automatic setup. I have never owned a column shifter vehicle before so I am looking to you guys for feedback. What are the pros and cons of a 390 with three on the tree with an overdrive in the mix? Recommendations?

[wildcard]

Only problem I've ever had with a column shift is getting in too big of a hurry and locking the linkage up under the hood. . And that only has happened very, very few times. And it's simple and quick to unstick. Just kind of embarrassing.
On the plus side, a column shift gives it that extra cool factor.

[HIO Silver]

Personally, I have never liked column shifts... it's ergonomically awkward and mechanically has too many moving parts that wear out or jam up (as illustrated ^^^ above).

The only benefit these days is young thieves have no clue on how they work so you'll find your truck abandoned at the end of the driveway or down the street.

The cool factor? A five-speed shifter knob atop a Hurst shifter connected to a Tremec.

[Craigerf100]

I assume the 390 auto is a c6. C4 and c6 are great transmissions but if you are going to find your self on a highway a lot then neither the c6 and 3 speed will do very well on the subject of gas mileage. They both just need an extra over drive gear. But if you plan to just putter around town or around the farm then both will do just fine. The 3 on the tree would be my choice if gas mileage wasn't a factor. Cause u can always add a 5 speed trans down the road. As for the linkage. You can always find a 3 speed shifter and slap it on the floor.

Really I'd shoot for which ever one has a nice body and paint.

What are u planning to use or do with the truck?

[averagef250]

I kinda hate column shifters. Drove a friend's '51 plymouth last weekend and wished it was a floor shift or an auto and I HATE autos.

I couldn't do column shift, they suck.

[67mann]

The only benefit these days is young thieves have no clue on how they work so you'll find your truck abandoned at the end of the driveway or down the street.

Ain't that the truth..gave her son a 67 for graduation and he sat in it looking for the tilt lever on the steering wheel I've owned two both dents and one of the didn't have 2nd gear....lotta of fun with a beer in your hand

[Ranchero50]

I have mixed feelings, a 3 on the tree can be overwhelming without power steering or brakes. Add in some cab sag from the mounts rusting out and the column taking a beating, I'm not sure if I would want that setup. However, drop that shifter to the floor and keep the cable O/D should be a fun truck to drive. A 390/C6 combo is belly button common and doesn't have the appeal to me.

[flyboy2610]

Me, personally, I like my C6. In my lifetime I've driven three speeds (column shift and floor shift), 4 speeds, 5 speeds, 6 speeds, 9 speeds, 10 speeds, and 13 speed transmissions. I've driven manual tranny's around the city, around the state, border to border and coast to coast.
I feel I've earned the right to drive an automatic!

[NM5K]

Hard call, but I might lean to the 3 speed and OD.. And mainly because of the OD itself..
But an automatic with a 390 wouldn't be bad either.. Particularly if it had PB, PS, etc..
My 74 has a three speed column shift. I don't mind them as long as the linkage is good,
not abused, etc.. If you get one that is good, and know how to shift one properly, they
can last a long time. But some people try to manhandle them, and then they get them
jammed up, and then manhandle them even more trying to get unstuck, etc, etc..
One that has been abused can be a pain. But one in good shape wouldn't bother me at all.
The one on my 74 is fairly tight and is not messed up.
My 68 has the 4 speed and floor shift, which is probably my #1 preferred for an old truck.
I've always preferred a floor shift if I had the option.. No linkage to booger up on the T-18.
The stick stabs into the top of the tranny.

[Nitekruizer]

I am looking at a couple of 390 bumps one with three on the tree and factory overdrive vs. one with an automatic setup. I have never owned a column shifter vehicle before so I am looking to you guys for feedback. What are the pros and cons of a 390 with three on the tree with an overdrive in the mix? Recommendations?

I used to have the "3 - on the tree - OD" in my truck. For the most part, I liked it. It did take some getting used to at first though. For one thing, when parking, the truck will roll away if you don't pull the cable to disengage the OD unit. Also, there is no "engine braking" effect when going downhill if the OD is engaged. The OD cable has to be pulled out or it's like going downhill in Neutral. With my truck, I found that I couldn't downshift into 1st gear unless my truck was almost at a dead stop.

I loved it on the highway though. The gas mileage was excellent ( for a 390 powered truck with the aerodynamics of a brick ), much better than it would've been with an automatic. The three speed OD manual trans ( Warner T-85N ) is a very tough transmission, which is also a plus.

I tried to convert it to a floor shifter, but I couldn't make it work. The overdrive solenoid is in the way. I would have had to put some really crazy bends in the shifter's linkage rods and I still didn't think it would clear.

The C6 is supposed to be a good automatic, but I have never had very good luck with automatics myself.

I hope this helps.

[HIO Silver]

Put a Tremec behind that FE!

[Mancar1]

I have had 3 on the tree, 4 on the floor and A/T. Enjoyed them all, but now days I prefer the C-6. I wouldn't base my decision on MPG. None will be great in that department with the FE. Even if u go the after market overdrive route, the cost will by far eat up what MPG you gain. Course if a person wants it then go for it. Heck I do costly stuff just because I want to.
The key is to enjoy....Keep on Trucking....John