The Ford Barn

Ron Pilger · 05-22-2018, 09:00 AM

I’ve bought a wonderfully rebuilt 34 3 window coupe from a fellow with a significant health concern. Only change from original is hydraulic brakes and a later Columbia. My experience with Columbia rear ends is nil. Could someone offer me guidance on both shifting and routine maintainence of this overdrive? Thx.

Bursonaw · 05-22-2018, 10:58 AM

The maintenance is pretty straight forward.
1. Keep it filled with oil. I check mine once a year. I use a multi 140 weight oil.
2. Use a few drops of 3 in 1 oil on both vacuum ports of the shift canister located on the Columbia. This keeps the leather seals from drying out. I do this once a year as well.
3. If the car has been driven fairly regular then drive the car and shift it in and out of overdrive several times. I do this around 55. And you should be set for the season.
Note: if the car has setting for a long time, then you want to do the last step with the rear wheels on jack stands with the rear wheels off the ground. You can do this with the engine idling. Originally Columbia’s had cork seals in the synchro clutch and if the car has been sitting for a long time the cork sticks to the axle can cause some damage to the Columbia when shifted. I have replaced mine with Teflon seals to avoid this issue.

Shifting is simple:
I’m assuming you have a “clutch lockout” in your controls.
With the later style controls (Electro Mechanical), once you are in 3rd gear around 45mph or more. Activate the switch and the push in the clutch. You will feel the rear end shift. While still holding the electric switch, release the clutch, then release the electric switch and you are in overdrive.

The switch should now be spring loaded to the standard drive position. The next time you press the clutch it will downshift back into standard drive. I do this just coming to a stop or if I want to down shift like climbing a steep grade at speed.

There are a couple of No No’s with the operation. If you don’t have a clutch lockout or it’s not working, never shift the Columbia with the clutch engaged. Second is that you have to be moving to shift the Columbia. If for some reason you are not in overdrive or standard drive (Between gears) and stopped. Back the car up slowly until you feel the car shift into standard drive. In the 40 years I’ve had mine I’ve only had to do that once.

This my seam like a lot, just with a little practice you will do just fine and have many years of enjoyment. One last thing, John at “Columbia Two Speed Parts” has everything you need and lots of knowledge about these rear ends.

http://www.columbiatwospeedparts.com/

Good luck, hope this helps.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ron Pilger · 05-22-2018, 12:30 PM

thanks, for such thorough and educational advice. This is exactly what i needed to have. ron

Bursonaw · 05-22-2018, 12:34 PM

You might look at the Columbia Two Speed Parts web site. The Owners Primer book, outlines allot of the things you should know about your Columbia. You have nice Coupe and it looks like it will be allot of fun to drive.

Enjoy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

jimTN · 05-22-2018, 04:30 PM

Which controls are you running? The late version 46-8 uses elec solenoids,a toggle switch and direct linkage to the clutch. The earlier versions use vac. valves with either cable tot he dash or a lever. Both types of units use a Stewart Warner gear change for the speedometer which is manually operated on the early models and vac. operated on the late. Operators instructions are available for these systems from most of the parts peddlers in their catalogs.

G.M. · 05-23-2018, 08:56 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Pilger

thanks, for such thorough and educational advice. This is exactly what i needed to have. ron

DO NOT use oil to lubricate the leather cups in the cylinder it will
make the sticky. Use Marvel Mystery oil and it will shift so
smooth you don't even hear it. G.M.

glennpm · 05-23-2018, 09:33 AM

I like this Marvel air tool oil.

Glenn

G.M. · 05-23-2018, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennpm

I like this Marvel air tool oil.

Glenn

It's the same as in the quart bottles. I bought 2 30 gallon drums
of it years ago and sold to a truck body building company that
used it in all their air tools. I think it was Morgan Body Company
in Morgantown, Pa. . G.M.

05-22-2018, 10:58 AM	#2
Bursonaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 345	Re: 46-48 Columbia in a 34 coupe The maintenance is pretty straight forward. 1. Keep it filled with oil. I check mine once a year. I use a multi 140 weight oil. 2. Use a few drops of 3 in 1 oil on both vacuum ports of the shift canister located on the Columbia. This keeps the leather seals from drying out. I do this once a year as well. 3. If the car has been driven fairly regular then drive the car and shift it in and out of overdrive several times. I do this around 55. And you should be set for the season. Note: if the car has setting for a long time, then you want to do the last step with the rear wheels on jack stands with the rear wheels off the ground. You can do this with the engine idling. Originally Columbia’s had cork seals in the synchro clutch and if the car has been sitting for a long time the cork sticks to the axle can cause some damage to the Columbia when shifted. I have replaced mine with Teflon seals to avoid this issue. Shifting is simple: I’m assuming you have a “clutch lockout” in your controls. With the later style controls (Electro Mechanical), once you are in 3rd gear around 45mph or more. Activate the switch and the push in the clutch. You will feel the rear end shift. While still holding the electric switch, release the clutch, then release the electric switch and you are in overdrive. The switch should now be spring loaded to the standard drive position. The next time you press the clutch it will downshift back into standard drive. I do this just coming to a stop or if I want to down shift like climbing a steep grade at speed. There are a couple of No No’s with the operation. If you don’t have a clutch lockout or it’s not working, never shift the Columbia with the clutch engaged. Second is that you have to be moving to shift the Columbia. If for some reason you are not in overdrive or standard drive (Between gears) and stopped. Back the car up slowly until you feel the car shift into standard drive. In the 40 years I’ve had mine I’ve only had to do that once. This my seam like a lot, just with a little practice you will do just fine and have many years of enjoyment. One last thing, John at “Columbia Two Speed Parts” has everything you need and lots of knowledge about these rear ends. http://www.columbiatwospeedparts.com/ Good luck, hope this helps. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

05-22-2018, 12:30 PM	#3
Ron Pilger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camrose, Alberta Posts: 396	Re: 46-48 Columbia in a 34 coupe thanks, for such thorough and educational advice. This is exactly what i needed to have. ron

05-22-2018, 12:34 PM	#4
Bursonaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 345	Re: 46-48 Columbia in a 34 coupe You might look at the Columbia Two Speed Parts web site. The Owners Primer book, outlines allot of the things you should know about your Columbia. You have nice Coupe and it looks like it will be allot of fun to drive. Enjoy Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

05-22-2018, 04:30 PM	#5
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,508	Re: 46-48 Columbia in a 34 coupe Which controls are you running? The late version 46-8 uses elec solenoids,a toggle switch and direct linkage to the clutch. The earlier versions use vac. valves with either cable tot he dash or a lever. Both types of units use a Stewart Warner gear change for the speedometer which is manually operated on the early models and vac. operated on the late. Operators instructions are available for these systems from most of the parts peddlers in their catalogs.