Columbia 12v selonoid

Steve in Denver

Steve in Denver

Well-known member
Has anyone figured out how to adapt a 12v selonoid to replace the vacuum chamber on the Columbia?

And any idea how long the Throw must be to engauge the Columbia?

This looks like it might work but it only has a 1 inch throw.
 

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I believe it is 2"-4" throw, you might build a bell crank into the linkage to increase the travel. I never had any controls on the one in my '28 A pickup so built a manual shifter using a bell crank to go from longitudinal to crossway motion to the vacuum rod.
 
Steve in Denver said:
Has anyone figured out how to adapt a 12v selonoid to replace the vacuum chamber on the Columbia?

And any idea how long the Throw must be to engauge the Columbia?

This looks like it might work but it only has a 1 inch throw.
Click to expand...

How about replacing the canister? Seems to be a lot easier.
 
The normal solution is to use the vacuum canister to shift the axle, and use a 12V dual gas tank valve to switch the vacuum.
 
When I installed my Columbia, there were visions of an alternate way to shift from Hi to low. After much thought, I installed the stock 1937-1941, B-3 controls directly to my 32 K member, under the floor, on the passenger side, using the clutch cross shaft to activate the main valve. The setup involved drilling only one hole in the K member for a mounting screw and tapping the clutch cross shaft for a rod and lever linkage for the main valve. I am very happy with the results. Works flawlessly, is hidden from site, doesn't look modern with the use of stock parts. Even thou my car is a Hot rod, I want to achieve an old build without modern parts and body/frame modifications with some minor exceptions.
 
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I too would look for a stock vacuum unit. John Connolley sells new ones. Price 5 or 6 years ago was ~$265


3._Vacuum_Cylinder__Base_Assembly_jpg.jpg
 
Thanks everyone. I did take the vacuum chamber apart, the seal was good, I checked the vacuum, 15 inches on both lines. Then I noticed a crack in the axle housing, I looked closer and it was completely broken on both sides. When we assembled the complete rear axle, the radius arm on the Columbia side was off by half an inch or so to line up with were it bolted to the drive shaft. After some work, we did get the bolt through. Well, that put to much tension on the housing. Fortunately Berie had an extra housing, so it is at the machine shop getting the bearing surface resleaved. Taking it apart and reassembling it will be next month's project.
 

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Steve in Denver said:
Thanks everyone. I did take the vacuum chamber apart, the seal was good, I checked the vacuum, 15 inches on both lines. Then I noticed a crack in the axle housing, I looked closer and it was completely broken on both sides. When we assembled the complete rear axle, the radius arm on the Columbia side was off by half an inch or so to line up with were it bolted to the drive shaft. After some work, we did get the bolt through. Well, that put to much tension on the housing. Fortunately Berie had an extra housing, so it is at the machine shop getting the bearing surface resleaved. Taking it apart and reassembling it will be next month's project.
Click to expand...
545038
 
A bit of an update, John built a wonderful, STRAIGHT, housing for me. Can't even see where he welded it up, it looks factory, THANKS JOHN.
 

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Nice work and glad to see another one saved. I hope you have as good working unit as I did. I remember the first drive in my 38 Zephyr with the Columbia. I was so amazed and happy I couldn't get the smile off my face. At seventy MPH the engine was just purring along a maybe 2600 RPM. Just like the decal shows, it gave the car wings. Tim
 
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