1935-39 O'drive and main bearings.

[Guest Classiccars]

Hey all, I may want a mid-'30's Studebaker some day and am doing some research. I'm new to this forum.

First, starting in 1935 overdrive was standard on the President. In '35 and '36 it engaged at about 57 mph. In 1937 Studebaker switched to a different brand of overdrive and this one engaged at something like 40 mph. If I ever get one of these I intend to do a lot of touring with it and overdrive is a big issue. But I would rather it engage well below 60mph because I may very well only take old US highways and have no need or desire to travel at 60mph or more. It would be really nice if overdrive was engaged well below 60. So, does anyone know if a '37 (or later) overdrive can be easily installed in a '35 or '36 President? I prefer the styling of the '35 and '36 (especially the '35) to the '37.

Second, in 1935 the total square inches of main bearing surface for the 9 main bearing engine in the President was 26.15 inches. I do not yet have the specifications for 1936 but do know that in 1937 it was only 20.95. Does anyone know why Studebaker so significantly reduced the size of its main bearings in this engine? Does anyone know if it resulted in the '37 being less durable? My guess is there isn't much, if any, of a difference in the durability, but I thought I'd check.

Thanks for any knowledge anyone has.

Jim

Ft. Worth, TX