Columbia question
 

Is a Columbia 35-36 specific to those 2 years?

Re: Columbia question
 

35 & 36 have a unique mount for the radius rods

Re: Columbia question
 

There is also an early and late version with different counts

Re: Columbia question
 

The axle housing is the hard part. You could use a 37-41 housing by adding the bracket for the radius rod and cutting off the spring hanger. 35-41 is the same width.

Re: Columbia question
 

Wouldn't a 37-41 be a bolt in as an assembly?

Re: Columbia question
 

That is what I was wondering. The "whole kit & caboodle." I think I could use my 36 backing plates and brakes to keep my mechanical brake rods.

Re: Columbia question
 

Yes, they bolt in.

Re: Columbia question
 

34fordy, yes you could drop a 37-41 in if you changed the radius rods and drive shaft too from a 37 on.
What controls do you have to shift from low to high?

Re: Columbia question
 

Nothing so far.

Re: Columbia question
 

I didn't like the look of mounting the control valve on the cylinder head of my flatty. On my 32, I mounted a 36-37 vacuum control on passenger side of the K member, drilled and tapped the clutch cross shaft to attach a lever rod to activate the main valve. Made a custom cable for the hi/lo shift. Works great and you don't see the control valve. Maybe you could do the same. I also have an original electric control set up that I am not going to use, if you decide to go that way.Whatever you do, you want to make sure there's a way to disable the valve if the clutch is not engaged. This way you will not accidentally damage the unit.

Re: Columbia question
 

I made mine a manual shift like the Ruxtel in model T's

Re: Columbia question
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1761061394

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1761061394

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1761061394

Re: Columbia question
 

This is one of the few forums I know where you can assume the members know what a Ruckstell is (even when it's misspelled).;)

Re: Columbia question
 

I didn't care for it either, I made a bracket to mount the vacuum switch just in front of my steering box, welded a tab to the clutch arm and then fabricated up some 1/4" OD rod; threaded both ends for a clevis one end and the other a connection to the switch. It works super. Love the Columbia!

Re: Columbia question
 

cas3


Good job making that work. I was highly considering the manual shift like you did, but it just wasn't coming together. Yours looks great.

Re: Columbia question
 

Hey Clayton, Does your system eliminate all other controls? Is everything accomplished, in and out with the one lever aside your emergency brake lever? Looks like a great job!!!!!!

Re: Columbia question
 

Yes, its all done with the hand shift lever. Bad news is you don't get the speedometer correction. I thought it may take some learning to shift it, but no, it shifts just fine like any synchronized transmission.

Re: Columbia question
 

And yes Denny, poor spelling! I've had 2 of the model T units over the years and should know better!

Re: Columbia question
 

It's not a problem at all (and I didn't mean any disrespect); it's just that i am constantly amazed at the knowledge (both general and specific) possessed by the members here.

Re: Columbia question
 

Not a problem here either, just admitting my mistake, and poking you back a little!

Happy motoring.

Re: Columbia question
 

Do you need to depress the clutch to shift in or out?

Re: Columbia question
 

yes, the same as any transmission, well, except big trucks. I've never tried it without the clutch, but it shifts nice. A lot of my country roads I drive in "2 high". rather than lug in 3rd. its a nice option

Re: Columbia question
 

I built the same shifter for the Columbia in my '28 A roadster p/u. 1/2" pipe back to a bell crank on the torque tube to get transverse motion at the vacuum can. Shift lever is mounted in place of the emergency brake on side of trans top as I have an early '29 trans top w/ e-brake in front of the gear shift. I adapted a speedo shifter into the cable mounted on the back of the firewall & used a choke cable to connect it to the shifter. Second high is a God send. It's been great since 1976, now have 87,000+ miles on it.

Re: Columbia question
 

Ray, tell me more about the speedo shifter. Never heard of a switchable speedo reduction unit

Re: Columbia question
 

It's a speedometer transmission that connects the input from the speedometer cable, from the turtle, increasing the speed so the output to the dash speedometer reads correctly for the 71.51% overdrive.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1761130801

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1761130801

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1761136478

Re: Columbia question
 

Here's my vacuum Columbia switch mount.

I made up this bracket to mount the switch just ahead of the steering box. I only had to drill the top hole in the frame, the other is stock.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1761133989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...8&d=1761133989

Here is the switch mounted. You can see the 1/4" rod with a 90° bend going back to the tab on the clutch arm.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1761133989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1761133989

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1761133989

This shows the clutch arm with the tab I welded on along with the 1/4" rod going up to the vacuum switch.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1761134010

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...5&d=1761134010

Re: Columbia question
 

Thanks Glenn, I'll have to keep an eye out for a speedo transmission gizmo

Re: Columbia question
 

Yeah, works great

Re: Columbia question
 

cas3, I've got an extra speedo shifter if you're interested.

Re: Columbia question
 

Yes Ray, I'll call ya