56 overdrive 12 volt relay alternative

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Are there any good alternatives to the original 50s Ford and Merc 12 volt relays for the overdrive? Looking to get as much off the firewall and will actually put wiring all the around the front end, etc. Would like to mount one elsewhere and would even consider under dash. Has anyone used a Bosch unit?

 

[dmsfrr]

Unless the old relay(s) are bad you can continue to use them, in most any new location.

It shouldn't matter what brand you use as long as you can duplicate the original circuitry of & for the relay, and the replacement relays have switch contacts rated for more current than the item being switched can draw (15A, 20A, 30A).
Bosch is at least as good, or better, than most.

If you're making the runs of wire to an electrical part noticeably longer than before you may want to consider using the next larger size/gauge wire, but in any case not smaller.

Here's a wiring diagram for a '57 Ford with overdrive. With the exception of the dash gauge voltage regulator it should be 99% the same as '56. And it shows the wiring layout inside the OD relay.
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-195.jpg

.

 

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Thank you dmsfrr, appreciate that nice diagram

 

[dmsfrr]

Thank you dmsfrr, appreciate that nice diagram

And, it even enlarges so you can see it better.

 

[Robz51]

Here is something :http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/56-ford-3-speed-w-overdrive-help.432370/

 

[Beav]

Any standard 30 amp ISO relay (o.k., most peeps call them Bosch relays just like all tissues are Kleenex) will work just fine. Even 6 volt versions are available with a little searching. 12v relays are $5 - $10 each at the parts store or around $5 a handful at the junkyard.

 

[Beav]

This weekend I saw MidFifty lists an OEM look-alike relay in their 'Coming Soon' online listings.