Overdrive trans won't engage

green50

green50

Senior Member
I recently swapped my standard 3 speed trans out for an overdrive trans in my '50 Ford. After going through all of the electronics, wiring(harness from Shoebox Central), relay, solenoid and governor, several times to eliminate them the trans still will not go into overdrive. It also will not even freewheel with the cable control pushed in. So I guess my question now is what, internally, would keep the trans from going into overdrive? Any ideas? Thanks
 
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Their was a thread on here a few days ago with the same problem. Worth a search. Have you got a manual for the overdrive? Free pdf versions are available on this here inner net. Good problem solving stuff in their.
If all the electrics are doing there thing. I think it's trans out time. Just yesterday I had one stripped to its rude bits, all checked out, and back together again. There fairly simple beasts.
The handle on the dash, with it disconnected from the lockout lever on the trans. If you shift into reverse, does that lever go floppy? With the trans in neutral, if you operate that lever, does it feel like it's doing anything? This lever moves the sun gear in and out. I think it's possible to put the overdrive together but have the shifting fork NOT in the collar of the sun gear. It's actually fiddely to rassle them into the right order sometimes.
Good luck.
Martin.
 
If it doesn't freewheel then there is likely something wrong with the planetary causing it not to rotate. It could be simple or it could get expensive but parts for them are out there. I'd say it's time to pull it appart and check it all over. Mac VanPelt lists most of the parts for the R-10 that go bad so you may end up contacting him. If you do your own work then look for an overhaul manual specific to your model of vehicle or at least what ever vehicle it came out of originally.
 
Hope this helps .... Here's three manuals for Borg-Warner units. For a 7.9 GB full-size complete manual (too large to attach) google "Instruction Manual The Warner Automatic Overdrive" and download the PDF file.

Most all OD units, especially Ford, copied BW designs.
 

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In case you don't have it, here's Ford OD wiring diagram
 

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  • 1949-52 Merc OD Cont Dia.jpg
    1949-52 Merc OD Cont Dia.jpg
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If my memory is correct the trams is in O.D. And free wheels with the cable pulled out,not pushed in.
 
Wrong! It serves as a regular trans when pulled out and freee wheels when the lever is in. If it doesn't free wheel, its time to go into it.
 
Nah, cable out locks out the overdrive and turns it into a conventional three speed trans. Freewheel should only happen with the cable in, below the governor cut in speed. This is about 27 mph ish.
Martin.
 
Mike51Merc said:
Get an overdrive for your keyboard. Mine works great!
Click to expand...

Good idea, if I first fit some 4.55:1 gears, then slap the overdrive on the back. Then it'll hustle some. From the lights, out of the bends, get on the information super highway, lift of the gas, man alive shoved it down into overdrive.
Martin.
 
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