I've posted a couple feelers about transmissions but got little feedback. I have some locally stored pages on '65 Valiant 100 transmissions, but it gets to be a bewildering array to me. I could spend a year going over transmission data and get nothing but a good case of confusion.

So I'm going to simply ask for recommendations.

I'm trying to make a nice looking and running car out of this, but I'm NOT trying to restore it as such. To me it is transportation, given my budget and some run-ins with the local emissions control board (brand new regulations) regarding my previous transportation. (The Valiant is grandfathered in.)

The original 3 speed manual is noisy. I haven't found anyone to rebuild it locally and shipping costs rule out distant builders. Plus I'm wondering if something different might 1. be easier to drive (auto) OR 2. be more economical (overdrive)

Given the low budget and the fact that I'm sick to death of searching for bits and pieces, what solution might serve best, all things considered? Best year for a source? I know there can be crank/flywheel problems with some years. Best trans for the job? Drop in auto? Another 3 speed (from where)? 4 speed? With overdrive? Anybody?

I'm searching for a solution with a good ratio of ease-of-installation to good transportation.

My car is a 65 Valaint that came with a 3 speed manual. In 1999 or so i swapped in a 5 speed because my kids could not handle the 3 on the tree...they thought it was an idea of mine...

I used a "RAP" 5 speed trans from an 82 Mustang 2.3L. My car had a stock aluminum bellhousing which I used as well as the stock clutch arm and throwout bearing.A stock Volare wagon driveshaft adapted to the stock Mustang slipjoint with a combination u-joint(NAPA).I used a clutch disc ( 9 1\4") from a Ford ranger and the stock Valiant pressure plate.I had the input bearing retainer machined down to fit the Valiant throwoutbearing and the bellhousing register(big hole the trans fits into)I had to do a little grinding inside the bellhousing to allow the holes to be drilled for the trans bolts(Mustang bolts through bellhousing into trans)I used Mustang bolts and then "clamped" trans to bellhousing using the stock Valiant bolt holes,total 8 bolts!,,,pretty ridgid. The tricky part was extending the trans input shaft to mimic the Valiant one,,I had an extension machined and then shrunk it onto the Mustang input shaft(heat extension,,,cool input shaft) we used some high temp Loctite to make us feel better. It is a little tricky getting the trans/bellhousing combo into the car,,,but it all fits nicely,,,my car was a 3spd originally so the trans hump is pretty small.I had to modify the trans mount and add my own "cushion mount".
You get 2 more gears,,,,1 lower than stock and 1 (OD) higher, the low gear is really low,,,with a stock super6 i can idle up a good grade in 1st,,,and do one hella burnout even with 235/60 14 BFGs. With 3,23 gears shift points are 20mph 40mph 60 mph 75 mph.
I used a Hurst shifter handle and "T" knob just for fun,,shifter ends up in the perfect spot.
Be warned RAP is a light duty box, however it weighs 15 lbs LESS than the stock 3spd.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Uh, thanks.

If your "Uh, thanks" to Sandy means you're not up for any custom work or serious modification, then your options are either to have the present transmission refurbished by a competent local transmission technician, or swap in a similar (3-speed manual) transmission from a similar car.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

OH!...you want something for no money that just bolts in in a weekend? That swap cost me $250 and took 2 days.

Is that too much time or too much money?

Seriously though look for a donor car with an 833OD....and be ready spend a grand.

You could always just put in another 3 speed....I have one. $150 and its yours. Shipping from 99114 ....say 70 lbs. Ill put it in a roughtote for you.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Well, I haven't been on here long, but it looks like it's the same here as on computer forums. If you aren't smart, fast and rich...
Right. Seriously. After the stroke left my brain numb and the accident put me on total disability and SS became my only income I'm living on less than the government listed poverty level. And believe me, they are far behind on updating that figure - it's about 15% of the national average income.

I don't know if you find this funny or merely unacceptable. My choice is the latter, but the good book says a merry heart is good for you, so you should probably take that one.

Meanwhile I thought I'd ask about it just in case I was missing something obvious. I see that was the wrong thing to do. Sorry I upset your peace.

You know....you asked a question...I thought mebbe I would answer it as a 65 Valiant owner helping another owner. .....and I get a smart ass reply. So I post another answer(833od) and its too expensive.

If you have no money....I offer you a $150 fix...still too much.

How bout if I come over to your house,,,,put in a free trans and buy you lunch. Is that convenient?
Dont expect anymore answers for your questions from me....they will never be good enough.

If you think Im smart, fast or rich you are mistaken. Im just a guy with a 65 Valaint who sees the cup as 3/4 full....whether its empty or not.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Luthastro, you need to adjust your attitude. There are lots of people here ready and willing to help you, and whenever we try, you sass back sarcastically and utterly refuse to help yourself. You want to be spoon-fed ready-made, zero-dollar solutions that in most cases do not exist, and when this is pointed out to you, you become snarky. If you carry on like this, nobody will want to help you any more.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Get the three speed rebuilt and put in 2.76 gears out back.

What gear is the three speed noisy in. Might just simply be a bad bearing. Checked the oil level lately?

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Zero to sixty in fifteen minutes on a level road, zero to sixty in an hour and a half on an uphill road.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I have 2.76's out back of my Duster and it really isn't that bad. You just don't have much low end to play around with and traffic can be a slight problem.

He said he wanted economy.

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

From where I sit I'm the one who got the smart ass reply. You did no such thing. You offered a $150 plus who knows how much shipping fix. At least be accurate. AGAIN with the smart ass. You're obviously smarter, faster and richer than me.

Come on! In my post I said low budget and no "bits and pieces." I got a reply that was all kinds of bits and pieces, to say nothing of requiring special machining. Then I got the smart ass remarks that I want everything free, etc., etc., etc.

Are you saying that just because a guy has been here a long time it's OK for him to try to make me look like a fool with his snide, free $1000 transmissions remarks, etc.? I'm slow, I'm easily confused and I'm dry dirt poor. But I'm not a fool and I don't like people treating me like one. For that I'm told I need an attitude adjustment? Tell that to the guy who was making fun of me.

OK, everyone calm down.

Luthastro, the sugestions posted, were viable options. The posters, were giving alternatives, it is up to you to determine your needs and make a decision. From what I gather, from your post, what you need is: get out a phone book and call local salvage yards, go to every mopar based board you can find, and go to www.carparts.com to find a good used trans of the same type that is in the car now, within a small distance to you.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Charrlie, actually the site he needs is http://www.car-part.com (searchable used auto parts nationwide). I believe carparts.com is one of JC Witless' sites.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.