borg warner overdrive

J

jerry shook

Well-known member
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I bought a 1930 town sedan built for touring ,it has a borg warner overdrive. does anyone know were you can buy them. i have a leak and other question about it. it has a pull knob that says on top push for overdrive on the bottom it says pull for reverse.then there is a lever by the gear shift you move up or down , though this might help identify it .Thanks GOD BLESS
 
the cable should be pushed in for overdrive and out for reverse or to be out of o/d.
"push for overdrive, pull for reverse " means that the cable is pushed in and the o/d can be shifted with the lever on the floor. with o/d cable in and the lever fwd your in freewheeling position. to go into o/d pull the lever back fully and let up on the gas. when the engine slows, it automatically shift to o/d. to go out of o/d push thr lever fwd and step on the gas. the car will not shift in or out of o/d unless the car is in a coasting position. never try to back up with the lever in the back postion. whenever shifting into o/d the engine will be turning slower while the car maintains same road speed., when shifting out of o/d firmly step on the gas to gain engine speed (matching engine and road speed).
 
I am of the opinion this particular set-up is one of (...if not) the worst modifications ever been made to a Model A. Do yourself a favor and buy something better if you are indeed in the market for an overdrive.
 
My BW T-5 was installed in my car about eight years ago (I've had it for nearly
five years) and it shifts like any 5 speed----with fifth gear being O/D. The car
starts "asking" for O/D at about 50 mph, and will creep up to 70, although I never
drive it that fast. I tried it once just to see if it could make it. The system is a
real joy and has never caused me any problems. Auto Restoration in Muncie,
Indiana sells them for about 900.00 plus shipping. Their number is 800-955-3139,
JMHO.

Jack
 
I had one,it was well built and worked well,but I took it right out.It was a 33% overdrive and that was just too high for me.Speedo was off,cables took up room and were a little clumsy to fool with,.I like the Mitchell,no modifications.I see Brent mentioned electrically shifting one,I bet it could be done with a shift motor for a 3 speed Eaton rear end.(yes,they made 3 speed rears) I drove one in a 63 Marmon.Under,direct,and over.
 
I did some adjusting and it works great , still have a leak it has been to cold to wash it off to find the leak it is around the transmission .
 
Jerry,

Most Borg Warners shift with an electrical solenoid actuated by a switch. You have a mechanical actuater which is pretty uncommon. You could install the solenoid in place of the lever.

I have run BW OD's for many years. I also have a Mitchell and an F150 4 speed trans too. They are great but I wouldn't remove the BW until you have a problem unless you have an extra $2500 you'd like to stimulate the economy with.

I agree, 33% is high but on level roads it's not too bad and 2nd gear OD is fantastic in the mountains.

Call me cheap!

Richard
Anaheim CA
 
I have used a Borg Warner overdrive for thiry years with no problem. We reviewed the various overdrives in the Model A Times several years ago. Each has their plus and minusus. As far as parts etc. Ron Mosher 661-255-1931 use to sell solinoids etc, you might want to check with him to see if he has what you need.
 
Borg Warner overdrives are a low cost way to have an overdrive in your Model A, and there are many conversions still around. They work well as long as you know how to use them, and keep a check on the oil so it doesn't migrate into the banjo and starve the overdrive. The 33% most of them are is actually too high for the Model A, but as long as you know when to take it out of overdrive so as not to lug the engine they will serve you well.

On long tours on an interstate the overdrive makes for pleasant cruising and is much easier on the engine.

Go to www.ocmafc.org and click on tech articles, then click on my articles. There are a couple of disertations on Borg Warner operation in a Model A Ford.

Tom Endy
 
Jack '29 Sport Coupe said:
My BW T-5 was installed in my car about eight years ago (I've had it for nearly
five years) and it shifts like any 5 speed----with fifth gear being O/D. The car
starts "asking" for O/D at about 50 mph, and will creep up to 70, although I never
drive it that fast. I tried it once just to see if it could make it. The system is a
real joy and has never caused me any problems. Auto Restoration in Muncie,
Indiana sells them for about 900.00 plus shipping. Their number is 800-955-3139,
JMHO.

Jack
Click to expand...

This is pretty much what I'm looking to do with mine.
Did you use an AA bell housing?
What did the T-5 come out of?
What about the drive shaft? Was it shortened?

Thanks!
 
My 33% BW overdrive in my deluxe delivery was too high geared for the stock engine but is just right with my modified B engine. I especially like 2nd gear overdrive in the mountains.
 
I just typed in this address and it worked!

lainefamily.com
But beware you will spend lots of time there:)
look thru the list till you find what you want
 
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