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rotorwrench · 02-20-2020, 12:55 AM

Running without safety features can be hazardous. You would have to flip the switch a lot. You really need the governor in the circuit to insure no shifting below 23 MPH. What are you doing with the other terminal on the solenoid? It's not that hard to get them wired up as OEM and you will have all the automatic features. It's hard to diagnose one that may not be properly connected. The solenoid normally loads against the gear ring when activated. It doesn't shift in till you let off the throttle. After it engages the solenoid goes into a holding phase so that is doesn't use so much amperage but both coils have to work in there as well as the internal switches.

If you need hard parts just call VanPelt Sales. Mac will fix you up with what you need. That 2nd gear was same as the one in the earlier post war transmissions. The gears didn't change to the new diamond types till Feb 1951 on the Mercury cars.

The cable pull is for lock out when you don't want OD such as pulling up & down steep grades and trailering. The freewheeling action is only when the unit it locked in for OD.

02-20-2020, 12:55 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: 50 Mercury OD problem Running without safety features can be hazardous. You would have to flip the switch a lot. You really need the governor in the circuit to insure no shifting below 23 MPH. What are you doing with the other terminal on the solenoid? It's not that hard to get them wired up as OEM and you will have all the automatic features. It's hard to diagnose one that may not be properly connected. The solenoid normally loads against the gear ring when activated. It doesn't shift in till you let off the throttle. After it engages the solenoid goes into a holding phase so that is doesn't use so much amperage but both coils have to work in there as well as the internal switches. If you need hard parts just call VanPelt Sales. Mac will fix you up with what you need. That 2nd gear was same as the one in the earlier post war transmissions. The gears didn't change to the new diamond types till Feb 1951 on the Mercury cars. The cable pull is for lock out when you don't want OD such as pulling up & down steep grades and trailering. The freewheeling action is only when the unit it locked in for OD.