The Ford Barn

B-nut · 06-09-2015, 04:44 AM

My new 34 has an iron overdrive unit welded (very neatly) into the drive shaft in front of where the radius rods tie in.Cast into the side is W G DIV n2. Under the dash has the electric switch and 3'' lever to actuate. The hot wire to the battery is disconnected. Can you tell me what kind of overdrive this is? How does one operate this?Manuals must be out there. Shall I just flick the switch an pull the lever while proceeding slowly down the road? Tempted to start playing around.What weight oil should be in it? Car has been a storage for a couple years.What ratio might this overdrive be? The differential gear is a 4:11. The car has the standard 600x16 tires. Thanks for any advise!

Bruce in southern OH · 06-09-2015, 05:45 AM

B-nut, 33 & 34 had 17" rims/tires standard. Next need photos for everyone to look at to see what you have, only option for overdrive in 34 was a Columbia in the rear axle. What you have is an installation by someone in past. Let us see it, Bruce

Terry,OH · 06-09-2015, 06:26 AM

You may want to post the photo even look in the V8 Times at the Mitchell overdrive. I believe the Mitchell is mounted on the torque tube closer to the pinion. I would not connect wires or try shifting without knowing more about the unit.

scrapiron · 06-09-2015, 06:37 AM

For starters, "WG" is almost certainly Warner Gear Division.

40cpe · 06-09-2015, 08:33 AM

I agree it is most likely a Borg Warner OD. Push the handle in toward the dash and see if the car "freewheels" when you let off the accelerator as you drive. If so, it helps to confirm the ID. It should act like a normal transmission when the handle is pulled out and gear the car down with engine compression.

To operate the OD, push the handle in to freewheel, get the car up to about 30 mph in high, turn on power through the switch, and release the accelerator. If working, it should momentarily free wheel (split second) and you will feel the engine compression slowing down the car when the OD drops in.

There are operating manuals to download on the 'net. Someone will be along to give you a link.

B-nut · 06-09-2015, 09:34 AM

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Oh it's a Borg Warner overdrive unit ,how numb of me. Yes there is info on it on the internet including operation, care and ratios. If I am reading right it turns a 4:11 differential into a 2.87. Hey I can hardly wait to get this baby on the road! Thanks for the comments.

V8COOPMAN · 06-09-2015, 09:41 AM

Does it look anything like this one? DD

B-nut · 06-09-2015, 09:55 AM

Yes Coopman that's the unit.Good pictures! Thanks!I see yours is mounted closer to the rear axle. What car is that in? What does it do for your driving , rpm's and speed? Do you use 90 weight oil? What speeds do you shift at?

40 Deluxe · 06-09-2015, 10:31 AM

Why didn't the former owner explain the O/D operation?

bchrismer · 06-09-2015, 10:37 AM

Hey B-Nut,

Here's a doc that I got about the Lloyd Young Borg Warner conversions.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9l...ew?usp=sharing

bret

V8COOPMAN · 06-09-2015, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-nut

Yes Coopman that's the unit.Good pictures! Thanks!I see yours is mounted closer to the rear axle. What car is that in? What does it do for your driving , rpm's and speed? Do you use 90 weight oil? What speeds do you shift at?

Not mine.....took the pics from the link below! DD

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...borg+warner+od

scooder · 06-09-2015, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-nut

Oh it's a Borg Warner overdrive unit ,how numb of me. Yes there is info on it on the internet including operation, care and ratios. If I am reading right it turns a 4:11 differential into a 2.87. Hey I can hardly wait to get this baby on the road! Thanks for the comments.

Yup you got it, the overdrive ratio is 0.7:1 so your 4.11:1 will now act like 2.87:1 in overdrive.
Martin.

CaliforniaBorn36 · 06-09-2015, 06:48 PM

One thing the instructions above don't say..."Never attempt to move the lever for the overdrive in or out while the car is in motion, always engage and disengage the mechanism while the vehicle is stopped". If you attempt to change the mechanical engagement while in motion you could seriously damage the overdrive mechanism.

The electric switch can be turned on and off while driving to disengage the solenoid/overdrive, this is useful when attempting to climb a grade.

Others may chime in here.

B-nut · 06-10-2015, 04:13 AM

Thanks for all the responses guys! Yes Californiaborn good advice from you who have operated one of these Borg Warners is extra helpful. Is there really something magic about shifting best at 28 mph?

scooder · 06-10-2015, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-nut

Thanks for all the responses guys! Yes Californiaborn good advice from you who have operated one of these Borg Warners is extra helpful. Is there really something magic about shifting best at 28 mph?

Yes it's magical, but the reason is a secret.
Martin.

40cpe · 06-10-2015, 08:11 AM

The "magic" is that 28 mph is the number that the governor was designed to ground the relay so the solenoid could engage the OD. If the OP has a switch, the magic goes away.

On the comment about only operating the OD handle when stopped: While I haven't looked for the Borg Warner operating instructions, It is entirely safe to operate the handle while driving. The transmission must be out of OD, and enough gas given the engine to propel the car (not coasting or decelerating). Then the handle can be shifted. If the car is in OD, hit the passing gear and pull the handle while the accelerator is down.

35joe · 01-24-2016, 09:06 PM

Does anyone show how the input (main) and output shafts are connected to the torque tube? All this stuff about the operation and wiring. How about the actual installation? I have an R10 and I have no idea how to marry the shafts??? Please help.

Drbrown · 01-24-2016, 09:44 PM

Vcoopman .... those are photos of my BW unit in my '47 which I posted back then. As noted, I was in touch with Llyod Young several years ago and he did say to filler-up with straight GL-4 140w gear oil, which I do using Sta-Lube.

It uses a 30 amp fuse and relay on the firewall. I have the dash pull/push handle and toggle switch (only). You can leave the switch "on" all the time. As long as you are stepping on the gas, you can engage the OD while in forward motion, then let off on the gas and it engages. Best to disengage handle while at a stop. Do not use in first gear - engine has to much torque and can cause long term damage.

I am running 15 inch Coker's.

Lloyd believes these are CA dealer installed kits of the day.

Drbrown · 01-24-2016, 10:10 PM

35joe .... Llyod Young who did many OD installations over the years is now about age 84. I don't know if he's still working. He had a full machine shop and the knowledge and experience to make custom shafts and housings. Phone him. He'll help you if he can. Not many of these fellows around anymore.

PS: Your unit looks shorter than my BW R10 (?)

rotorwrench · 01-25-2016, 10:48 AM

Those instructions are a bit vague on operation for what to do and what not. In order to use reverse gear, the unit has to be shifted out of overdrive. If you park the car, it is best to shift it out of OD or the car can roll easily on hills. The clutch in disable switch should allow for a "moving" out shift of OD but shifting it back in may be a different story.

The original R10 electric overdrives had safety features for a good reason. A lot of folks do away with these features when modifying drive trains for these ODs and it can cause breakages if a person doesn't know the operational theory behind these units.

06-09-2015, 04:44 AM	#1
B-nut Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vt Posts: 231	What'this overdrive 1934 My new 34 has an iron overdrive unit welded (very neatly) into the drive shaft in front of where the radius rods tie in.Cast into the side is W G DIV n2. Under the dash has the electric switch and 3'' lever to actuate. The hot wire to the battery is disconnected. Can you tell me what kind of overdrive this is? How does one operate this?Manuals must be out there. Shall I just flick the switch an pull the lever while proceeding slowly down the road? Tempted to start playing around.What weight oil should be in it? Car has been a storage for a couple years.What ratio might this overdrive be? The differential gear is a 4:11. The car has the standard 600x16 tires. Thanks for any advise!

06-09-2015, 05:45 AM	#2
Bruce in southern OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Proctorville Posts: 1,582	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 B-nut, 33 & 34 had 17" rims/tires standard. Next need photos for everyone to look at to see what you have, only option for overdrive in 34 was a Columbia in the rear axle. What you have is an installation by someone in past. Let us see it, Bruce

06-09-2015, 06:26 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 You may want to post the photo even look in the V8 Times at the Mitchell overdrive. I believe the Mitchell is mounted on the torque tube closer to the pinion. I would not connect wires or try shifting without knowing more about the unit.

06-09-2015, 06:37 AM	#4
scrapiron Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Independence, VA Posts: 423	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 For starters, "WG" is almost certainly Warner Gear Division.

06-09-2015, 08:33 AM	#5
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 I agree it is most likely a Borg Warner OD. Push the handle in toward the dash and see if the car "freewheels" when you let off the accelerator as you drive. If so, it helps to confirm the ID. It should act like a normal transmission when the handle is pulled out and gear the car down with engine compression. To operate the OD, push the handle in to freewheel, get the car up to about 30 mph in high, turn on power through the switch, and release the accelerator. If working, it should momentarily free wheel (split second) and you will feel the engine compression slowing down the car when the OD drops in. There are operating manuals to download on the 'net. Someone will be along to give you a link.

06-09-2015, 09:34 AM	#6
B-nut Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vt Posts: 231	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Oh it's a Borg Warner overdrive unit ,how numb of me. Yes there is info on it on the internet including operation, care and ratios. If I am reading right it turns a 4:11 differential into a 2.87. Hey I can hardly wait to get this baby on the road! Thanks for the comments.

06-09-2015, 09:41 AM	#7
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,113	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Does it look anything like this one? DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

06-09-2015, 09:55 AM	#8
B-nut Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vt Posts: 231	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Yes Coopman that's the unit.Good pictures! Thanks!I see yours is mounted closer to the rear axle. What car is that in? What does it do for your driving , rpm's and speed? Do you use 90 weight oil? What speeds do you shift at?

06-09-2015, 10:31 AM	#9
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Why didn't the former owner explain the O/D operation?

06-09-2015, 10:37 AM	#10
bchrismer Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 77	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Hey B-Nut, Here's a doc that I got about the Lloyd Young Borg Warner conversions. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9l...ew?usp=sharing bret __________________ HotRodHundred.com Reliability Runs It's about the drive!!! StreetRodder.Net The FUN is in the RUN!!!

06-09-2015, 06:48 PM	#13
CaliforniaBorn36 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 427	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 One thing the instructions above don't say..."Never attempt to move the lever for the overdrive in or out while the car is in motion, always engage and disengage the mechanism while the vehicle is stopped". If you attempt to change the mechanical engagement while in motion you could seriously damage the overdrive mechanism. The electric switch can be turned on and off while driving to disengage the solenoid/overdrive, this is useful when attempting to climb a grade. Others may chime in here.

06-10-2015, 04:13 AM	#14
B-nut Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vt Posts: 231	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Thanks for all the responses guys! Yes Californiaborn good advice from you who have operated one of these Borg Warners is extra helpful. Is there really something magic about shifting best at 28 mph?

06-10-2015, 08:11 AM	#16
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 The "magic" is that 28 mph is the number that the governor was designed to ground the relay so the solenoid could engage the OD. If the OP has a switch, the magic goes away. On the comment about only operating the OD handle when stopped: While I haven't looked for the Borg Warner operating instructions, It is entirely safe to operate the handle while driving. The transmission must be out of OD, and enough gas given the engine to propel the car (not coasting or decelerating). Then the handle can be shifted. If the car is in OD, hit the passing gear and pull the handle while the accelerator is down.

01-24-2016, 09:06 PM	#17
35joe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: L.I.,N.Y. Posts: 7	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Does anyone show how the input (main) and output shafts are connected to the torque tube? All this stuff about the operation and wiring. How about the actual installation? I have an R10 and I have no idea how to marry the shafts??? Please help. Last edited by 35joe; 01-24-2016 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Photo

01-24-2016, 09:44 PM	#18
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Vcoopman .... those are photos of my BW unit in my '47 which I posted back then. As noted, I was in touch with Llyod Young several years ago and he did say to filler-up with straight GL-4 140w gear oil, which I do using Sta-Lube. It uses a 30 amp fuse and relay on the firewall. I have the dash pull/push handle and toggle switch (only). You can leave the switch "on" all the time. As long as you are stepping on the gas, you can engage the OD while in forward motion, then let off on the gas and it engages. Best to disengage handle while at a stop. Do not use in first gear - engine has to much torque and can cause long term damage. I am running 15 inch Coker's. Lloyd believes these are CA dealer installed kits of the day. Last edited by Drbrown; 01-24-2016 at 09:53 PM.

01-24-2016, 10:10 PM	#19
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 35joe .... Llyod Young who did many OD installations over the years is now about age 84. I don't know if he's still working. He had a full machine shop and the knowledge and experience to make custom shafts and housings. Phone him. He'll help you if he can. Not many of these fellows around anymore. PS: Your unit looks shorter than my BW R10 (?)

01-25-2016, 10:48 AM	#20
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: What'this overdrive 1934 Those instructions are a bit vague on operation for what to do and what not. In order to use reverse gear, the unit has to be shifted out of overdrive. If you park the car, it is best to shift it out of OD or the car can roll easily on hills. The clutch in disable switch should allow for a "moving" out shift of OD but shifting it back in may be a different story. The original R10 electric overdrives had safety features for a good reason. A lot of folks do away with these features when modifying drive trains for these ODs and it can cause breakages if a person doesn't know the operational theory behind these units.