1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

[Frederick H.]

I have found a '63 BW Trans that states it has a first gear ratio of 2.54. I have a 340HP car so shouldn't it have a 2:20 ratio? Not a trans guy but should be able to swap out the gears, correct? The owner also states that it has the 41/4" Front Bearing Retainer. Reason for all of this is I apparently have a later trans that I will have to sell at some point but after spending $700 on the overhaul, I will use it for awhile to ensure it is mechanically sound (it should be for that amount).

The numbers on the '63 trans I am looking at are;
WC1431 (Warner/March 14th/'63 year/1st shift)
Main Case dated B 6 63 T10 D1
Tail Date 2 5 63
The other stamping shown was J247204?

Thanks in Advance,
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I have found a '63 BW Trans that states it has a first gear ratio of 2.54. I have a 340HP car so shouldn't it have a 2:20 ratio? Not a trans guy but should be able to swap out the gears, correct? The owner also states that it has the 41/4" Front Bearing Retainer. Reason for all of this is I apparently have a later trans that I will have to sell at some point but after spending $700 on the overhaul, I will use it for awhile to ensure it is mechanically sound (it should be for that amount).

The numbers on the '63 trans I am looking at are;
WC1431 (Warner/March 14th/'63 year/1st shift)
Main Case dated B 6 63 T10 D1
Tail Date 2 5 63
The other stamping shown was J247204?

Thanks in Advance,
Fred

Fred------


Yes, your application if equipped with a 4 speed trans was equipped with one with a 2.20:1 first gear ratio. You could convert the 2.54:1 that you have by changing the input shaft/gear and counter gear. The other gears and parts are the same for either ratio transmission.

1963 transmissions use a unique front bearing retainer. It should be 4-3/16" OD (that may be what the owner is calling a 4-1/4", though).

The "J247204" stamping is probably the VIN derivative of the car in which it was originally installed. That would be a passenger car assembled at the GM plant in Janesville, WI.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I have a 340HP car and it is a little difficult to get going in first gear. In my opinion the close ratio transmission would be fine if it had the 3;73 or lower ratio. My car has 3;43 gears. Which gears does the car have? Why not just change the case? The first gear ratio is not a judged item. Even during a PV it may be subjective but I will leave that to the experts.
Rick

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

Thank You Joe.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

My car has a 4:11 gear.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I have a 340HP car and it is a little difficult to get going in first gear.
Rick

I have read reports like this many times and I don't understand at all because it doesn't match my experiences.

My solid lifter, FI '60 with a CR trans and a 3.55 rear gear isn't difficult to get moving. Never has been. I don't have to slip the clutch or feather the throttle to get going.

To put a finer point on the matter, after I back my '60 out of my shop, I turn the wheels to the left and immediately begin motoring up a 25% grade. The car goes up the hill without complaint. It's a non-event.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I found the numbers to my existing trans and they are as follows;
Rear Case: T10-7D 3813490
Front Case: T10 D-1
Cover: 1-31-63
A 23 63
S237852
WC2531
Just wonder why it would not have the correct size front retainer bearing.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I found the numbers to my existing trans and they are as follows;
Rear Case: T10-7D 3813490
Front Case: T10 D-1
Cover: 1-31-63
A 23 63
S237852
WC2531
Just wonder why it would not have the correct size front retainer bearing.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Fred

Fred------

What makes you think your transmission does not have the correct size bearing retainer? What is the OD of the retainer you have (OD is measured at the flange end that bolts to the main case)?

What is the casting number of the clutch bellhousing that you have?

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

The bell housing that I purchased ends in 421 - can't recall the one that was in it prior to removal. I am going to the shop tomorrow - will have them check numbers on both and get back to you.

Thanks,
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

The bell housing that I purchased ends in 421 - can't recall the one that was in it prior to removal. I am going to the shop tomorrow - will have them check numbers on both and get back to you.

Thanks,
Fred

Fred------


You have the correct bellhousing. If the OD of the transmission bearing retainer that you have will fit in the hole in the bellhousing, then you almost certainly have the correct retainer. The other more common retainers are of larger OD and will not fit in the bellhousing hole.

If the retainer fits in the bellhousing and the mounting holes in your retainer do not match the holes in your transmission case, then I do not know what you have. I suppose it could be a 1962 main case that was sold in SERVICE and, thus, has 1963 dates.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

Yep - it was a surprise for me as well. Will see what the numbers are on the bell housing that does fit tomorrow.
Fred

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

The numbers on the bell housing that fits are 3858403 which is for a later year (vs the 421 housing that we tried to install). Could the bearing retainer have been switched out at some point?

Thanks,
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

The numbers on the bell housing that fits are 3858403 which is for a later year (vs the 421 housing that we tried to install). Could the bearing retainer have been switched out at some point?

Thanks,
Fred

Fred------

The bearing retainer for the 3858403 bellhousing is 4-11/16" OD. However, neither this bellhousing nor retainer was used for 1963. All I can surmise is that, as I previously mentioned, it is a 1962 case that was manufactured and sold in SERVICE in 1963 or later. I suppose it's also possible that the case was converted by welding/grinding to remove the original 1963 retainer bolt pattern and the earlier/later bolt pattern added. Are there any casting numbers on the retainer you have that fits the 403 bellhousing?

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I was extremely fortunate to find a '63 front bearing retainer # 604932 which is the cast replacement for the original aluminum retainer from the factory. I didn't get any numbers for the retainer currently installed with the 403 housing but will leave both in the car until time to drive to the Frisco, TX or Waco, TX regionals to get it judged (assuming I still have money for gas ) after this restoration.
Thanks,
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Borg Warner Gear Ratios and Numbers

I was extremely fortunate to find a '63 front bearing retainer # 604932 which is the cast replacement for the original aluminum retainer from the factory. I didn't get any numbers for the retainer currently installed with the 403 housing but will leave both in the car until time to drive to the Frisco, TX or Waco, TX regionals to get it judged (assuming I still have money for gas ) after this restoration.
Thanks,
Fred

Fred-----


The GM #604932 retainer will work with the '421' bellhousing. Do not attempt to use it with the '403' bellhousing, though.

However, I'm not sure I'm understanding your problem. I was under the impression that your problem was that you have a transmission case for a later application (as you stated in your original post). Actually, a Borg Warner 4 speed was not used again in a GM product until 1975. In any event, if the transmission you have has a 4-11/16" OD bearing retainer, then it's for some year besides 1963. That transmission can only use a 4-11/16" bearing retainer. The 4-3/16", 1963-only retainer will not bolt to a maincase designed for the 4-11/16" OD retainer. Likewise, the 4-11/16" OD bearing retainer will not bolt to a transmission maincase designed for the 4-3/16" bearing retainer.

You mention that you are looking at a 1963 transmission for possible purchase. If that transmission actually is a 1963 T-10, then it will have the 4-3/16" bearing retainer. If the retainer is in good shape, you will not need the 604932.

The 1963-only transmission with 4-3/16" retainer can only be used with the GM #3788421 bellhousing.

A 1963 application converted to a transmission with a 4-11/16 retainer can only be used with a GM #3840383 or 3858403 bellhousing (assuming the stock 1963 12-3/4" flywheel is also used).