Point of clarification on the trans (archive)

Supposedly the change to 265 getrag took place in 1980, but it appears there were 1979's manufactured with 5 speeds. If a 1979 has a five speed in it (you can put it in 6 gears total, reverse and 5th being up, or forward on the pattern on either side) and if it's not the Close Ratio sport model (dogleg 1st down on the pattern), it does have a final ratio one might refer to as overdrive, at .80x final drive ratio. With the trans in 5th, turn the input shaft .8 of a turn, the output shaft turns a full revolution. The Close Ratio turns one full matching revolution at each end in 5th, just like a 4 speed.

I think it would be safe to assume:

1) you can find five speed trans in some 1979 models, from the factory.

2) That the 5 speed would not likely be a Close Ratio (what a killing if it were one in decent shape)

3) The the 5 speed would be what you refer to as the overdrive trans.

I have that trans 265/od in my 80 model and 4th to 5th is a huge leap and quite a drop in rpm. It gets really quiet at cruising speeds.

Hope this helps.

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