converting a columbia overdrive from vavcumn shift to electric shift

Ron_r1959

Ron_r1959

Senior Member
I have a 48 Columbia overdrive that I am rebuilding to put in my 41 ford pick up, I am wondering if anyone has information on converting it to a all electric shift similar to a two speed reared on a truck and eliminate the vacuum parts on it. I would assume someone has done it at one point or another using a electric actuator. Thanks Ron
 
Ron, i had the same thought, use a electric actuator, since I worked for a company and we made them...12v linear actuators are common and very reliable, if you source it correctly. Need to know the stroke length, usually in 2 inch increments, and the force required. Speed is also a consideration, the greater force, the less speed.
 
two speed Eaton axle actuator the whole unit should work even the 6vt ones. Been a
while but when the motor spins and hits a dead stop it will stop dead. now the next
time it is switched the motor will reverse until it hits a dead stop. that is done by a
switch in the housing so you need the switch Napa has that switch with red button and the internal reversing switch in the housing.....







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Electric would sure beat those vacuum tubes and the vacuum valve and even eliminate the worry about keeping the vacuum can lubed. Looking forward to a solution by you guys.
 
I have a 37-41 Columbia on my '40 rearend in my '32 roadster. Pic below is a mechanical setup https://fifthaveinternetgarage.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-ford-skyway-columbia-overdrive.html

columbia+shifter+2.jpg
 
One thing to keep in mind is how to keep the axel sealed up after removing the vacume unit. Iorn trap garage made a manual opperated Columbia a while back so a electric one should be doable. The actuator will need to be two way, both push and pull. It will also need to be fairly strong as it takes a little force to move the control arm by hand. I had a Columbia in my 38 Zephyrthe aluminium part of the vacume unit was broken do to an impact at some point so I to was looking at possible conversions.Tim
 
Here's a post by G.M. from years ago

"I made my own shifting controls. I don't like the way
the original ones work. I use 12 volt Pollock fuel shift valve
that is made for trucks with dual fuel tanks. As I described
I shifts by pushing a button and pushing the clutch. The
12 valve works on 6 volts. Pollock calls this a 6 port shifting
valve. G.M."
 
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I have two 34s I set up using the original vac cyl and the shift valve and cable from a 50s GM two spd trk. They work quite well. I mounted the push pull cable and button right on the gear shift levers.
 
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