O.D. vs. O.D.

[SCOTI]

OK. I'm tired of screwing around w/the mickey mouse 3spd stuff. One of the things I hate about my 68 is the fact that I'm spinning 3000rpms @ 65mph, so I'm thinking about an O.D. tranmission.

Since the truck has a 6cyl., I think the automatics parasitic (sp?) drivetrain loss would really kill what little power it has (compared to a standard). It's current 6cyl/3spd has no problems pulling my 18ft trailer..... but what will an automatic be like??

I was thinking a T350 was the easy way out. But, if I'm going to swap to an automatic, I figure it's about the same amount of work so I might as well spend more up front & get a 700R4.

The other side of the coin is once I start swapping to an auto, I have other things that need to be considered, like: locating the correct flexplate, starter (if necessary), trans crossmember & mount, re-routing the exhaust, column related linkage (I already have a van tilt), lose the extra pedal, possible driveshaft mods, + other stuff I'm probably forgetting.

Orrr...... the alternative is an aftermarket 5/6spd. I would have to update the clutch/p.plate to fine spline & poke a hole in the floor & possibly contend w/the same d.shaft mods as the automatic, but what else am I not considering???

I must admit my fondness for banging gears & that's affecting my decisions...... what would you do??