55 Ford v8 overdrive cable routing

S

steve fritz

Well-known member
So I am getting at the underside of my 55 wagon restoration now and have a question as to the correct routing of the overdrive cable, Those of you with 55/56 Fords with 3 speed overdrive transmission could maybe check their cars out please and let me know how this cable should be routed. I took some pictures of my cable running out of the correct firewall opening and now am trying to decide how it should proceed downward toward the side of the transmission where the solenoid is located.
It looks like it should be held mid way by a bracket that is part of the kickdown switch and then again on a bracket that runs off the top bolt of the solenoid mounting.
My question is more on how it goes down to those locations. Does the cable run to the inboard side of the exhaust manifold/header pipe or to the outboard side? Any more details on this would be appreciated.
I checked the 49/59 Ford parts illustration manual and can't seem to find anything on the cable positioning.
I can't seem to get my pictures uploaded.....maybe we dont need pictures?
Thanks for any help on this.
Steve
 
On my '55 Merc it runs to the inboard side of the exhaust pipe. I don't have the bracket at the kickdown switch, only the one at the solenoid. I've had no issues due to the missing bracket.
 
Dobie....can I message you direct with a picture of my cable coming out of the firewall, maybe you can compare it to yours.
 
I would like to think it would go inboard. Because on my 55, it went outboard, then layed on the pipe and broke because of the heat and cool cycles. It was back far enough that is was not recognized as a potential trouble spot and went unnoticed until failure.
 
steve fritz said:
So I am getting at the underside of my 55 wagon restoration now and have a question as to the correct routing of the overdrive cable, Those of you with 55/56 Fords with 3 speed overdrive transmission could maybe check their cars out please and let me know how this cable should be routed.
...
Click to expand...
Knowing how Ford did it when new could be very helpful and may well work out best for you..
but don't be afraid to make adjustments if needed. Replacement parts may not be 100% the same as originals.

If the cable is too close to the exhaust, a moving part that could be caught/worn or has a bend that's too tight...
work with the situation you have to make it better as needed.
 
dmsfrr said:
....caught/worn or has a bend that's too tight...
work with the situation you have to make it better as needed.
Click to expand...


I agree. I replaced my original overdrive cable because the control wire within the sheath was broken. I believe it was broken because it (the original cable) made too sharp a turn downward coming out of the firewall (probably for the sake of engine bay tidiness.) The stress of that sharp turn over time likely broke it.



The replacement specified a longer length for the cable than the original was, possibly as way to avoid breakage with a more gradual turn. Also, I found that the difference of length between the sheath and control wire (which is longer than the sheath) on the replacement needed to be a bit greater than the instructions indicated.
 
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