Overdrive Kickdown Switch

[Admiral]

Hello! My ’51 Ford project car currently has the standard, three-speed transmission. For enhanced usability, I plan on converting it to overdrive. I’ve gathered nearly all the parts needed to make the swap, but I have a question about the kickdown switch. Where exactly does this mount? Also, does it require some kind of bracket? I’ve heard they normally go underneath the floor, but in later years Ford moved them to the firewall so they were more shielded from the elements. Do any of you guys have a picture of where your car’s kickdown switch is mounted? I’ve searched the internet and can’t find anything. Thank you!!!

 

[mfirth]

My 52 Victoria's kickdown is in the floor under the gas pedal. When you "floor it" it kicks out of o/d....like having a passing gear. Sorry, no pic.,

 

[tubman]

I am going to do the same thing with my '51. Does anyone know if there is a "boss" or dimple in the floor board that locates the switch?

The reason I ask this is because my '51 had a "knock-out" in the firewall for the lockout cable. If I were back in Minnesota, I'd pull up the mat and take a look. Unfortunately, I'm stuck here.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

This is a typical switch that mounts in a hole under the throttle pedal.

 

[40cpe]

There is/was a knockout in the floor pan under the accelerator. There is no bracket involved. The threaded stem has a nut above and below the floor to adjust. I adjusted mine for the accelerator to contact the kickdown just as the carburetor is wide open.

 

[Admiral]

This is a typical switch that mounts in a hole under the throttle pedal.

Thanks for posting, 51 MERC-CT. It sounds like the kickdown switch just attaches to a hole in the floorboard and the electrical-connector end sticks down underneath the car, right? Might you have a photo of this? Just trying to get an idea of how I'll have to mount it. Thanks again!

 

[Admiral]

There is/was a knockout in the floor pan under the accelerator. There is no bracket involved. The threaded stem has a nut above and below the floor to adjust. I adjusted mine for the accelerator to contact the kickdown just as the carburetor is wide open.

Ah, this makes sense! I'll have to look in the car to see if I can spot this knockout. Thanks!

 

[tubman]

"Admiral" - Let us know if you find it, and take a picture if you can. Thanks.

 

[Admiral]

"Admiral" - Let us know if you find it, and take a picture if you can. Thanks.

OK, Tubman, here's what I found. There is a small, raised circle immediately underneath the accelerator pedal. Even after scraping away some of the sound-deadener I can't tell if it's a knock-out or not. If not, it wouldn't be difficult to drill to the appropriate size for the kickdown switch.

Forgive me for the poor condition of my '51 Ford. I'm slowly picking away at it and I haven't gotten to the interior yet.

 

[tubman]

Thank you very much. If that's not a "knock-out", it sure looks like it will make it very difficult to put the switch in the wrong place.

EDIT : I've seen much worse floors in "shoebox" Fords. The accelerator pedal is "nothing to write home to mother about", though.

 

[Scott52]

I have a 52 with OD installed. I have had it about a month and it doesn't run so no idea if the OD works. I will look at mine to see if it has the switch in the gas peddle location. Any other component locations I can look for? I know there are two components on the transmission.

 

[tubman]

There should also be a relay on the firewall on the drivers side about even with the fuel pump. It looks kinda like a headlight relay. The two components on the transmission are the kickdown solenoid (for the downshift to direct drive for passing) and the governor, which prevents the unit from going into overdrive if the car speed is not high enough. Once you get the car going, you should make sure the overdrive is functional; it makes these cars a pleasure to drive.

The original buyers spent the extra money for one for good reason.

 

[Jersey Devil]

There is a knockout under the accelerator pedal. It is similar to the knockouts on the firewall used for heater hose. Firewall also has dimples for the screws to mount the relay.

Lip of dash has screw holes for control cable handle mounting.

Hope this helps

Tom

 

[tubman]

I have already mounted the lockout cable and relay in my car; "Jersey Devil" is correct. The dimples for the relay were present as well as the mounting holes for the cable.

 

[Scott52]

I looked at the car and took some pictures. It does have the switch under the gas peddle and the pull handle. There is a relay on the left side (USA Drivers) as well has another relay on the right side that only has two wires connected. looks like it is getting power from the starter solenoid/relay. any comments on if these item look to be where they should be?

 

[tubman]

Looks like everything you need is there. The wiring looks a little suspect, but is available from several sources. It's been a while since I ordered my replacement harness and I remember it as being quite reasonably priced. The overdrive setup I purchased came with an old ratty original harness, so I compared it to the new one and it looks right.

 

[Black Fifty]

This book has a lot of great information about how to get the most out of the overdrive along with exploded diagrams of the components. Available from VanPelt's.

 

[Scott52]

On my 1956 Chevy I used the original harness and just spliced in a few wires here and there (I even bought a wire harness someone took out of their car to use for certain connectors) The wires were not cloth but vinyl or back then's equivalent. Still going strong 10 years later. My 48 Dodge Power Wagon had cloth wires and I bought a new harness (wasn't cheap) and they modified it to add separate signal and clearance light and spotlight. This appears to have cloth so I guess ill have to replace it. So I take it you haven't installed your harness yet?

 

[Scott52]

I have that book on my ebay watch list. I am trying not to buy everything I see before I get to that. I failed when I saw a dash gauge cluster for $25 and bought it not even know how my existing gauges were.

 

[Bob C]

I think this is the horn relay.


Bob