The Ford Barn

30forfun · 05-23-2023, 11:50 PM

Hi All
New to the Model A world and planning to install the older style B/W overdrive. I'm hoping to use a mechanical method to eliminate the solenoid, I found this picture on-line and hoping to get more details on the way it connects/goes through the housing IE seals in the oil and actuating rod configuration
Thanks

rotorwrench · 05-24-2023, 08:49 AM

There is a sliding pawl inside the shift mechanism the is moved in or out by the ball tip of the operating solenoid. The ball tip has flats machined into it so that the solenoid can be removed and installed with a quarter turn of the solenoid housing.

A rocker and frame would have to be fabricated to transfer the direction of movement for a cable or rod to go up in there to perform the function but it would have to be spring loaded in some way for the last little bit of travel from the point that the pawl makes contact with the balk ring. This final movement happens when a person lets off the throttle pedal to allow it to shift into overdrive. The operation of the balk ring is a part of the electrical operation of the solenoid that would not be easy to change.

Keith True · 05-24-2023, 09:25 AM

I had that same cable setup on a BW unit.That square tube has a rod in it,that engages the shift inside the case.The outside end is cut at an angle.The piece from the cable arm is cut at an angle also.When the cable arm is twisted those two angles force themselves apart,pushing the rod in to shift.It just pokes the rod in,just like the solenoid did. I did not like it.I do not like cables in shifting applications.If I had kept it I would have converted it to a rod.The cam mechanism was well thought out and built,it's the cable operation I have the problem with.

30forfun · 05-27-2023, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the insight....as mentioned above did your set up have some kind of a spring to engage the pawl

30forfun · 05-28-2023, 10:23 PM

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To Richard in Anaheim: I received your PM- I am "to new" to the forum to reply (a reply requires 10 posts) - do you know of way to get my info to you? I really hope to make your offer work!
UPDATE: I made my 10 post minimum - You should have a PM? Thanks

05-24-2023, 08:49 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Borg Warner Overdrive Solenoid Conversion There is a sliding pawl inside the shift mechanism the is moved in or out by the ball tip of the operating solenoid. The ball tip has flats machined into it so that the solenoid can be removed and installed with a quarter turn of the solenoid housing. A rocker and frame would have to be fabricated to transfer the direction of movement for a cable or rod to go up in there to perform the function but it would have to be spring loaded in some way for the last little bit of travel from the point that the pawl makes contact with the balk ring. This final movement happens when a person lets off the throttle pedal to allow it to shift into overdrive. The operation of the balk ring is a part of the electrical operation of the solenoid that would not be easy to change. Last edited by rotorwrench; 05-24-2023 at 08:56 AM.

05-24-2023, 09:25 AM	#3
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,987	Re: Borg Warner Overdrive Solenoid Conversion I had that same cable setup on a BW unit.That square tube has a rod in it,that engages the shift inside the case.The outside end is cut at an angle.The piece from the cable arm is cut at an angle also.When the cable arm is twisted those two angles force themselves apart,pushing the rod in to shift.It just pokes the rod in,just like the solenoid did. I did not like it.I do not like cables in shifting applications.If I had kept it I would have converted it to a rod.The cam mechanism was well thought out and built,it's the cable operation I have the problem with.

05-27-2023, 10:15 PM	#4
30forfun Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Meadow Vista CA Posts: 16	Re: Borg Warner Overdrive Solenoid Conversion Thanks for the insight....as mentioned above did your set up have some kind of a spring to engage the pawl

05-28-2023, 10:23 PM	#5
30forfun Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Meadow Vista CA Posts: 16	Re: Borg Warner Overdrive Solenoid Conversion Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To Richard in Anaheim: I received your PM- I am "to new" to the forum to reply (a reply requires 10 posts) - do you know of way to get my info to you? I really hope to make your offer work! UPDATE: I made my 10 post minimum - You should have a PM? Thanks Last edited by 30forfun; 05-28-2023 at 11:16 PM.