The Ford Barn

swimmermilo · 09-16-2022, 03:52 PM

Hey folks,

I'm new to the Model a world and just procured my first car! It's a 29 that's had a couple modifications put on by a previous owner (not the person I bought it from).

One of the upgrades is an Overdrive (which the seller knew nothing about). Looking at the placement of the shifter, I don't think it's a Mitchell. There is also something that is affixed to the steering column which is related? I'm looking to just identify which overdrive this is so I can get my hands on a manual. Any help would be great!

Herb Concord Ca · 09-16-2022, 04:41 PM

I believe what you have is a Borg Warner. They used a lockout cable, which is the knob on the left side of the steering column. They usually were electric operated (solenoid). Yours has a manual lever vertically up thru the floorboards, in front of the gear shift. I have heard of manual operated B-W's but never seen one. Maybe someone else can give you more info on the lever thru the floorboards. Mine is solenoid operated.

mercman from oz · 09-16-2022, 05:00 PM

swimmermilo needs help identifying this Overdrive?

Gene F · 09-16-2022, 05:33 PM

To use overdrive, push in on the big red knob. Let up on the accelerator and throw the lever in the floor to engage the overdive. It sould drop in when the torgue is off the drive line (not on the gas). The big read knob put the unit into freewheeling. Makes shifting way easier once the transmission is warmed up. Even when using 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

38 mph engine speed with this will make your car travel 55MPH. You can save a lot of wear on your babbit bearing engine. It's a good idea to have cast iron drums, on yur car. Gotta stop...

rotorwrench · 09-16-2022, 06:22 PM

The photo we need is of what is in the torque tube. It may be a Borg Warner or it may be a Laycock/Volvo set up. The Mitchel can be either cable operated or lever but is seldom both.

jeepguy1948 · 09-17-2022, 10:57 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have a Borg Warner overdrive in a Model A which has an electric solenoid (for those who don’t know, the Borg Warner overdrive MUST be turned off before backing up or the OD will lock up with the probable result of shearing off some teeth on the diff. Gears) When the BW overdrives were originally installed the transmission had a reverse gear switch that would disengage the OD when the transmission was shift into reverse. The model A of course has no such switch so the driver MUST turn the OD off before backing up. A lever as shown in the picture might be easier to deal with and at least this old guy to remember to disengage it. A common thing to do is install a switch on the shift stick to turn the OD off.

swimmermilo · 09-22-2022, 11:34 AM

hey folks, sorry for the delay! Here are pics of the underside. You can see the cables for the hydraulic brakes, they are very responsive!

rotorwrench · 09-22-2022, 12:49 PM

It looks like a home made set up using a Borg Warner R10 tail shaft OD. There were kits made by several shops back in the day. They were generally a little cleaner set up but were still basically home made set ups.

This is a good link on the ones that used the electric function for operation.
http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...r-Apr-2005.pdf

This link to the HAMB illustrates how one of the kits looked back in the day.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...del-a.1064773/

Tom Endy · 09-22-2022, 01:11 PM

I also believe it is a Borg Warner overdrive. From the photos it appears to have been one produced for Ford. The Ford overdrives had a long tunnel on the back section.

Tom Endy

Richard Knight · 09-22-2022, 08:17 PM

Hi swimmer, looks like a borg Warner type 30 used in ford's and other makes.i had one in a 29 Murray I drove thousands of miles. Bought out of Washington state. Those cables are for the emergency brakes. Your unit has been converted to mechanical with the solenoid removed. If you can't figure it out I can probably help you. I am in rockport.

katy · 09-23-2022, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimmermilo

You can see the cables for the hydraulic brakes, they are very responsive!

First time I've heard of cables for hydraulic brakes, can you elaborate?

Ray in La Mesa · 09-23-2022, 12:04 PM

Cables are for the emergency brakes on the hydraulic setup.

katy · 09-23-2022, 12:24 PM

Understood, but that's not what the OP said.

swimmermilo · 09-23-2022, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

First time I've heard of cables for hydraulic brakes, can you elaborate?

Oops, cables are for the ebrakes, I have a lot to learn! Thanks for all the help folks. The manual from rotorwrench is great!

Richard Knight, I might take you up on that offer. Would be good to connect with other antique ford owners in the area!

09-16-2022, 04:41 PM	#2
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: help identifying Overdrive I believe what you have is a Borg Warner. They used a lockout cable, which is the knob on the left side of the steering column. They usually were electric operated (solenoid). Yours has a manual lever vertically up thru the floorboards, in front of the gear shift. I have heard of manual operated B-W's but never seen one. Maybe someone else can give you more info on the lever thru the floorboards. Mine is solenoid operated.

09-16-2022, 05:00 PM	#3
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,376	Re: help identifying Overdrive swimmermilo needs help identifying this Overdrive?

09-16-2022, 05:33 PM	#4
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: help identifying Overdrive To use overdrive, push in on the big red knob. Let up on the accelerator and throw the lever in the floor to engage the overdive. It sould drop in when the torgue is off the drive line (not on the gas). The big read knob put the unit into freewheeling. Makes shifting way easier once the transmission is warmed up. Even when using 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. 38 mph engine speed with this will make your car travel 55MPH. You can save a lot of wear on your babbit bearing engine. It's a good idea to have cast iron drums, on yur car. Gotta stop...

09-16-2022, 06:22 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: help identifying Overdrive The photo we need is of what is in the torque tube. It may be a Borg Warner or it may be a Laycock/Volvo set up. The Mitchel can be either cable operated or lever but is seldom both.

09-17-2022, 10:57 PM	#6
jeepguy1948 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 721	Re: help identifying Overdrive Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a Borg Warner overdrive in a Model A which has an electric solenoid (for those who don’t know, the Borg Warner overdrive MUST be turned off before backing up or the OD will lock up with the probable result of shearing off some teeth on the diff. Gears) When the BW overdrives were originally installed the transmission had a reverse gear switch that would disengage the OD when the transmission was shift into reverse. The model A of course has no such switch so the driver MUST turn the OD off before backing up. A lever as shown in the picture might be easier to deal with and at least this old guy to remember to disengage it. A common thing to do is install a switch on the shift stick to turn the OD off.

09-22-2022, 11:34 AM	#7
swimmermilo Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 3	Re: help identifying Overdrive hey folks, sorry for the delay! Here are pics of the underside. You can see the cables for the hydraulic brakes, they are very responsive!

09-22-2022, 12:49 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: help identifying Overdrive It looks like a home made set up using a Borg Warner R10 tail shaft OD. There were kits made by several shops back in the day. They were generally a little cleaner set up but were still basically home made set ups. This is a good link on the ones that used the electric function for operation. http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...r-Apr-2005.pdf This link to the HAMB illustrates how one of the kits looked back in the day. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...del-a.1064773/

09-22-2022, 01:11 PM	#9
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: help identifying Overdrive I also believe it is a Borg Warner overdrive. From the photos it appears to have been one produced for Ford. The Ford overdrives had a long tunnel on the back section. Tom Endy

09-22-2022, 08:17 PM	#10
Richard Knight Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 130	Re: help identifying Overdrive Hi swimmer, looks like a borg Warner type 30 used in ford's and other makes.i had one in a 29 Murray I drove thousands of miles. Bought out of Washington state. Those cables are for the emergency brakes. Your unit has been converted to mechanical with the solenoid removed. If you can't figure it out I can probably help you. I am in rockport.

09-23-2022, 12:04 PM	#12
Ray in La Mesa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Mesa Ca Posts: 1,166	Re: help identifying Overdrive Cables are for the emergency brakes on the hydraulic setup.

09-23-2022, 12:24 PM	#13
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: help identifying Overdrive Understood, but that's not what the OP said. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!