Overdrive transmission


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By PWH42 - 14 Years Ago
I have what may be a somewhat dumb question for one of you guys that has your overdrive wired through a toggle switch.I just did this to my car and am wondering if the governor should be wired up to prevent free wheeling when the OD is not activated.It's been about 50 years since I've had any experience with these transmissions and have forgotten almost everything I ever knew about them.
By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
Paul:

Even with the governor wired in, you will get freewheeling when vehicle speed is below somewhere in the 20-30 mph area.  If you want to drive without the overdrive, pull the lockout cable out, there will be no freewheeling at any speed, but no OD either.  With my Bird and my truck, I leave the toggle switch on until I am stopped or nearly stopped, then switch it off.  After I get rolling again and into high gear, I switch the toggle on, let off the gas momentarily, and I am then into OD. 

By Joe 5bird7 - 14 Years Ago
Related question:  When driving in overdrive at road speed, what is proper way to go out of overdrive (for hills, etc.).  Do you switch the solenoid off then lock out overdrive with the cable?  Back when everything worked correctly, I'd just floor the accelerator and while the trans was out of overdrive disengage the overdrive manually.  I just don't want to screw anything up!
By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
When you want kickdown, just turn the switch off, momentarily let off the gas, and you will be in conventional drive, but with freewheeling.  If you want to lock it in conventional, do the above, then pull the cable ONLY while accelerating.  You won't do any damage this way.  With the original setup, say you wanted to pass, you pushed the pedal to the floor.  The kickdown switch would de-energize the solenoid and momentarily kill the ignition so the OD could disengage.  The difference was that when you let off the gas, the OD would re-engage and you wouldn't have freewheeling.  Again, with the original setup, you still must be accelerating to pull the cable out.  With either system you can always pull the cable out when the car is sitting still.  You can also push it in at any time.  One other thing about toggle controlled ODs.  Always put it in reverse when parking the car with the cable pushed in.  An internal detent will lock the OD out, otherwise the car can roll forward.
By pintoplumber - 14 Years Ago
I have a bum left leg from a motorcycle accident 39 years ago. I love the freewheeling part so I leave it that way almost all the time. I only use the clutch when starting out in 1st, then I can shift without the clutch for the other gears. Except when racing. Then the leg gets a workout.
By Joe 5bird7 - 14 Years Ago
Thanks for the info John.  Greatly appreciate it.  Joe