The Ford Barn

DNLs1930 · 10-05-2023, 02:05 PM

New to me 1950 Custom 3 speed w/ overdrive and 239ci V8 and my question is about what I think are transmission clicking noises which seem to be RPM specific (shift points maybe).

The basic question is something along the lines of; inside the transmission are there centrifugal latches or other RPM sensitive items which allow the transmission to function correctly.

These clicking noises are very consistent and absolutely feel and sound like transmission noises.
Thanks in advance for any knowledge/ ideas you might have.

40cpe · 10-05-2023, 02:27 PM

The overdrive relay will click when the governor closes the relay and again when the relay disengages. I think these will be the only normal clicks you should hear.

38 coupe · 10-06-2023, 06:27 PM

Are the clicks once while speeding up and once while slowing down, or consistent while driving at a steady speed?

Joe B. · 10-06-2023, 10:19 PM

My '50 with O/d makes no clicking noises. Here is a link to the operation with trouble shooting. http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/...riveManual.pdf

rotorwrench · 10-06-2023, 11:57 PM

As was mentioned, the only click would be when the operating solenoid is energized. A person may not hear a click when it drops out. The governor switch kicks in at approximately 25 mph on the way into OD and drops out at around 23 mph when slowing down. When a person floors the throttle pedal, the ignition coil is momentarily switched off until the solenoid drops out for passing. The dash relay is small and likely would not be audible when it clicks.

The operating solenoid has two stages of function. When it pops out during engagement, it first operates off the main coil which has a pretty good chunk of force to it. Once it gets to the point of full engagement, one of the two sets of points kicks in the holding coil that just has enough force to keep it fully engaged. This way it uses less current after the shift into overdrive. When it drops out, there is more of a thud than a click so it's generally not as loud.

The transmission is going to make a noise when shifting from 1st to 2nd but the synchronizer makes the 3rd gear shift fairly quiet. Shifting into reverse not only slides the low/reverse gear back but it also pushes back the lock out rod & fork so it might make a click that is audible.

These transmissions have by far more moving parts than a standard 3-speed so if something goes bad in the planetary or overrunning clutch then there could be all sorts of noises going on. Same goes for the gear box section.

pistonbroke · 10-07-2023, 08:45 AM

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Ditto what rotor said. I had one that sounded louder and more like a click, come to find out the solenoid bolts were coming loose. I love these OD units and have and had them in anything I could put them in. A 33.3% over drive with the passing gear the is the bomb! Keep us posted. Tim

Als48 · 10-07-2023, 10:14 AM

Someone more knowledgable than me might have consider causes along this line. Could it be the solenoid plunger engaging prematurely on the spinning sprag clutch? Spring or whatever holds it out until the governor should enable it to engage might have failed? There's also a certain way to insert the solenoid plunger, too that might cause this symptom.

Al Hook

DNLs1930 · 10-12-2023, 11:10 AM

Thanks for all the info and the PDF is much appreciated!!! You all have provided enough help to know that what I'm hearing is normal operation of the transmission. A single click is heard accelerating as well as decelerating so all spot on info. My car does like to pop out of second gear but other than that drives like a charm!!
THANKS AGAIN!!!

10-05-2023, 02:05 PM	#1
DNLs1930 Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Fort Worth side of DFW Posts: 171	'50 3 speed with overdrive question New to me 1950 Custom 3 speed w/ overdrive and 239ci V8 and my question is about what I think are transmission clicking noises which seem to be RPM specific (shift points maybe). The basic question is something along the lines of; inside the transmission are there centrifugal latches or other RPM sensitive items which allow the transmission to function correctly. These clicking noises are very consistent and absolutely feel and sound like transmission noises. Thanks in advance for any knowledge/ ideas you might have.

10-05-2023, 02:27 PM	#2
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question The overdrive relay will click when the governor closes the relay and again when the relay disengages. I think these will be the only normal clicks you should hear.

10-06-2023, 06:27 PM	#3
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question Are the clicks once while speeding up and once while slowing down, or consistent while driving at a steady speed?

10-06-2023, 10:19 PM	#4
Joe B. Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Westmont, Il. Posts: 65	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question My '50 with O/d makes no clicking noises. Here is a link to the operation with trouble shooting. http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/...riveManual.pdf __________________ 1950 Custom Tudor

10-06-2023, 11:57 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question As was mentioned, the only click would be when the operating solenoid is energized. A person may not hear a click when it drops out. The governor switch kicks in at approximately 25 mph on the way into OD and drops out at around 23 mph when slowing down. When a person floors the throttle pedal, the ignition coil is momentarily switched off until the solenoid drops out for passing. The dash relay is small and likely would not be audible when it clicks. The operating solenoid has two stages of function. When it pops out during engagement, it first operates off the main coil which has a pretty good chunk of force to it. Once it gets to the point of full engagement, one of the two sets of points kicks in the holding coil that just has enough force to keep it fully engaged. This way it uses less current after the shift into overdrive. When it drops out, there is more of a thud than a click so it's generally not as loud. The transmission is going to make a noise when shifting from 1st to 2nd but the synchronizer makes the 3rd gear shift fairly quiet. Shifting into reverse not only slides the low/reverse gear back but it also pushes back the lock out rod & fork so it might make a click that is audible. These transmissions have by far more moving parts than a standard 3-speed so if something goes bad in the planetary or overrunning clutch then there could be all sorts of noises going on. Same goes for the gear box section.

10-07-2023, 08:45 AM	#6
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ditto what rotor said. I had one that sounded louder and more like a click, come to find out the solenoid bolts were coming loose. I love these OD units and have and had them in anything I could put them in. A 33.3% over drive with the passing gear the is the bomb! Keep us posted. Tim

10-07-2023, 10:14 AM	#7
Als48 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Paducah Ky Posts: 279	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question Someone more knowledgable than me might have consider causes along this line. Could it be the solenoid plunger engaging prematurely on the spinning sprag clutch? Spring or whatever holds it out until the governor should enable it to engage might have failed? There's also a certain way to insert the solenoid plunger, too that might cause this symptom. Al Hook

10-12-2023, 11:10 AM	#8
DNLs1930 Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Fort Worth side of DFW Posts: 171	Re: '50 3 speed with overdrive question Thanks for all the info and the PDF is much appreciated!!! You all have provided enough help to know that what I'm hearing is normal operation of the transmission. A single click is heard accelerating as well as decelerating so all spot on info. My car does like to pop out of second gear but other than that drives like a charm!! THANKS AGAIN!!!