I bought a model a with a borg warner Od. I can't get to engage, You can hear the solenoid click, I have checked the oil, it is ok. When you have the controls in the engaged position you can tell that it is free wheeling when you let off the accelerator. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Borg Warner
- Thread starter louieglen
- Start date
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
John LaVoy
Well-known member
There was a lot of electrical items, relays, solinoids, govenors on them originally. People have scaled it back quite a bit to eliminate all the extras. If the solinoid is working then it is probably something with the rest of the wiring.
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
If the solenoid is working, wouldn't it then have to be a mechanical problem?
I have Studebakes with the B/W overdrives, but I'm not sure if the Model A conversion has eliminated the lock out cable. If not, then make sure it's in the right position.
I have Studebakes with the B/W overdrives, but I'm not sure if the Model A conversion has eliminated the lock out cable. If not, then make sure it's in the right position.
Tom Endy
Well-known member
If you can hear the solenoid click with the car standing still it does not have a governor in the circuit. Very few Model A conversions incorporated the governor.
There are only three things you can check without removing the unit from the car and disassembling it.
1. Check that the solenoid operates. You heard it click, so it functions. Check that it is installed correctly. Remove the two mounting bolts and pull straight back on it. It should extend against a spring about half an inch, but not come out. To remove it you have to turn it 90 degrees. There is a ball on the end of the plunger that has two sides machined off.
2. Check that there is the proper amount of oil. The method of oil servicing is called "fill to spill". Squirt oil into the fill port on the side of the case untill it spills over the side. Let it run off until the oil level is even with the bottom of the fill port.
3. Check that the pull cable will operate the lever to each stop. It is possible that the cable attachment has slipped and it only comes to one stop.
BW conversions on a Model A are notorious for leaking oil past the rear seal into the banjo. Most don't have a proper oil seal. What most use is the ford grease seal used in the axle housings and the torque tube. A Model A owner with a BW installed should check the oil level in the banjo at 400-500 mile intevals to see if it is manufacturing oil.
To learn more about BW's installed in a Model A, go to www.ocmafc.com. On the menu at left scroll to "tech articles" and click. It will bring up a new menu with my name at the top, click on my name and it will bring up a series of articles. There are two on the BW. They should tell you all you want to know about a BW conversion. One is a discertation on taking one apart for repair.
You may download and print out any of the articles.
Tom Endy
There are only three things you can check without removing the unit from the car and disassembling it.
1. Check that the solenoid operates. You heard it click, so it functions. Check that it is installed correctly. Remove the two mounting bolts and pull straight back on it. It should extend against a spring about half an inch, but not come out. To remove it you have to turn it 90 degrees. There is a ball on the end of the plunger that has two sides machined off.
2. Check that there is the proper amount of oil. The method of oil servicing is called "fill to spill". Squirt oil into the fill port on the side of the case untill it spills over the side. Let it run off until the oil level is even with the bottom of the fill port.
3. Check that the pull cable will operate the lever to each stop. It is possible that the cable attachment has slipped and it only comes to one stop.
BW conversions on a Model A are notorious for leaking oil past the rear seal into the banjo. Most don't have a proper oil seal. What most use is the ford grease seal used in the axle housings and the torque tube. A Model A owner with a BW installed should check the oil level in the banjo at 400-500 mile intevals to see if it is manufacturing oil.
To learn more about BW's installed in a Model A, go to www.ocmafc.com. On the menu at left scroll to "tech articles" and click. It will bring up a new menu with my name at the top, click on my name and it will bring up a series of articles. There are two on the BW. They should tell you all you want to know about a BW conversion. One is a discertation on taking one apart for repair.
You may download and print out any of the articles.
Tom Endy
Rust Merchant
Member
Great articles Tom! Thanks for sharing all of this info!