What is it?

[David in San Antonio]

There is a closed cab pickup on Bring A Trailer dot com right now with what looks like a built up engine (Winfield head, pressure oiling, dual carb, etc.). So far so good. However, spliced into the driveline is what appears to be an overdrive with both a manually actuated rod but also an electrical doohickey hanging on it too. Can anyone positively identify the unit? The seller did not build the car and doesn’t claim to know. He said he thinks the extra shifter engages reverse. I’m skeptical but won’t jump to conclusions.
The auction has many more pictures:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1931-ford-model-a-133/

 

[Banditorama]

It looks similar to the Borg Warner OD unit this guy had for sale 10 years ago:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74761

 

[David in San Antonio]

Banditorama - Yep, sure looks like a Borg Warner R10. The ad even mentions both the electric solenoid and the mechanical linkage needed. So this unit predates the electric-only models. I’m still left wondering how it used both control
mechanisms. Scanning a parts list it looks like the lever may be a “lock out”.
Maybe we’ll hear more. The Australian A-people will be waking up any time now. Lifetime learning, courtesy of the Model A hobby.

Picture showing a BW overdrive with the solenoid and a flexible cable, and much more:
https://www.enginebuildermag.com/20...org-warners-r-10r-11-overdrive-transmissions/

 

[Banditorama]

Here's an article I found that goes over the basic functionality of it:
https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/how_it_works_borg_warner_overdrive

Looks like the only thing the lever does is move the solenoid into position where it can engage the OD unit.

 

[Gene F]

The solenoid engages the O'D function, after the rod is thrown. The shifter/rod is for the freewheeling control. David, are you buying it, and know how to work that, right?

 

[rotorwrench]

Model A R10 overdrive units were made from specific design units but I don't remember if it was Nash or Studebaker units or not. They were just the right size for a torque tube. The lever operates the lock out for the planetary. They have to be locked out to use reverse gear. The article in the tech section of the Santa Anita As site is a good reference for these units.
http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/1C-Borg-Warner-OD-Restorer-Mar-Apr-2005.pdf

 

[David in San Antonio]

Banditorama and Rotorwrench - Great sleuthing! Thank you. Those articles clarified the separate controls.
Gene F - I am most certainly NOT bidding on the CCPU on Bring A Trailer dot com. I was curious about the O/D. I have been endlessly fascinated by mechanical things and always want to understand how they work. I ask “if the plans were put in Leonardo DaVinci’s hands, could he understand it?” No electrons allowed.
If you want to stretch your brain, look up Torsen (torque-sensing) differentials. 100% mechanical, no friction plates, they exploit the fact that a worm can turn a gear but a gear can’t turn a worm, they stop incipient wheel spin before it begins. That is, if I understand it correctly.