Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

It’s in the Accessories section of my green bible

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I did not notice the coverage of the OD in the accessories portion of the shop manual that I have. I mistakenly assumed that it would be covered in the section for the transmission. Thank you for eliminating that oversight.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

It’s definitely an odd place for them to put it! Glad it’s there in your green bible too

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Mr Laser

Anything new with the OD, lots of people interested.

Tom

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Nothing new at present. I am in the process of removing the transmission. Because of other commitments, it will take a while. I did communicate with Randy Rundle who feels that the synthetic lubricant that was briefly used is likely the cause of the problem due to the reduction in the friction that is necessary for the sun gear to engage the overdrive function. He advises that the entire transmission and OD will need to be dissembled and thoroughly cleaned to remove the effects of the synthetic material. I will update this thread as I learn more. Thanks for your continuing interest.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

I cannot deny someone else's experience but mine has run 45,000 with synthetic.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

I would say Maybe but I'm a bit skeptical whether the type of lube was a factor. Mrlazer, keep us posted whenever you get a chance after more info becomes available.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

I definitely will provide any additional information as I have it. Removing the transmission will take some time as I only have jack stands, a short transmission jack and one old carcass to do the job :). Thanks everyone for your combined input.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

In my late teens I had a '50 w/overdrive. The big thing in our little town was "barking" the tires when we hit 2nd gear. Those transmissions can't take much of that. They were $25 in the local salvage yard. We didn't have jacks or jack stands. I pulled the car over a low spot in the yard, removed the busted transmission, pushed the replacement under the car, slid under and rolled the transmission up on my chest. From there I could stab it. But that was then.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Yes. That was then. In 1957 I had a 1951 Ford Victoria in which I put a 1956 Buick nail valve engine adapted to the original 3 speed transmission. I ruined several 1st and reverse gears. At that time I had a deal with the local "junk yard" to buy replacement transmissions for $10 each if I took them out myself. I also did the "on my chest thing" with the car sitting on concrete blocks. ( It's amazing we made it into adulthood) Again, that was then.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Have 51 Nerc rear axle with 3.3 gears for sale MP me for details

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

I did the "chest thing" when replacing the transmissions on the '51 and '52 Fords I had in high school and college. After I got married, I had a '59 Ford pickup with a "three on the tree" that needed a clutch. I tried my usual tricks on it and almost killed myself. Those later transmissions are a lot heavier than the earlier ones.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

My Mercs have the removable floor over the transmission. The transmission can actually be pulled up into the car after removing the clevis pins and pulling the front seat out. Ford cars didn't have this feature but Mercury and Lincoln cars did in that era. The engine still has to be supported though but that's pretty much a given on flathead V8s.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

A convertible with the X frame is the worst. I lower the engine and remove the four bolts and speedometer drive along with the clutch and shift linkage. I can then turn the transmission to remove the overdrive apparatus. The transmission is then rotated about 75 degrees and pulled back until the front shaft clears the bell housing. The front shaft is lowered untl the transmission can be slid forward and dropped completely. I made an apparatus to hold the transmission on the jack that bolts where the solenoid goes to hold the transmission steady.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Fortunately I'm dealing with a 1951 Victoria which has the simpler ladder configuration with some factory added reinforcement under the doors. The manual states that the exhaust down pipe be removed. It looks like there is adequate clearance without this step. Am I missing something?

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

My project.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Only if the pipe is in the way of the crossmember coming out.

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Beautiful Vic there, Mrlaser! I love the color...is it a stock color?

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Maybe Hawthorne green? I have not needed to do anything with the exhaust when removing the transmission, even with duals

Re: 1951 Ford overdrive
 

Yes, stock colors. Greenbriar green and seafoam green. I did use basecoat clear because the original formulas were available.