As I understand the manual, the over drive solenoid has a constant electrical/current flow so when you push in the cable the overdrive lever opens up for the pawl to engage the reduction gears if the governor has reached the appropriate speed 26 mph or so.  In other words the solenoid is active most of  the time or have I over simplified the function. . Does this cause problems in the solenoid.  Is it prudent to put a switch into the ignition line to the overdrive relay so you can control the electricity on or off.  These solenoids are expensive and hard to find so I thought any current relief will help prevent failure.  

Finally does anyone rebuild the solenoids.
Thanks,
Richard

Greetings to all:  Richard, you are correct in that the solenoid is energized when the governor contact closes at 26 mph or so regardless of what position the overdrive control lever is in.  That being said, when the solenoid is energized, the armature changes position opening a contact in side the solenoid which opens the circuit for the pull in coil. The hold in coil remains energized but draws only about 1 amp in a 12V system. Not a lot of current.  A switch can easily be installed in SERIES with the governor circuit if you wish.  Hope this helps, JEFF.............


64F100 57FAIRLANE500

Especially if most of your driving is city streets/low speed.  Not only will you save wear & tear on the solenoid, but the constant shifting in & out of overdrive such driving causes will eventually wear out/destroy the OD gears/parts also, which they no longer make.  Plus you have the advantage of full time freewheeling with the relay gov. connection switched off (as opposed to locking out OD with the cable).  

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Thank you guys for the help. My thoughts were to put the on off switch in between the wire  from the ignition led to the relay. Its convently located so the switch can mount under the dash near the overdrive pull push lever. Also added a little red light showing when the on switch is used.  

I have mine set up with a toggle switch that the handle lights up, got it at Radio Shack. I don't have the relay, kick down or governor, just a hot wire through the toggle and direct to the solenoid. I have two cars set up this way.

studibaker came with a switch,actuated when the  od lever put into od position,apears ford elected to save a doller and not copey. i found this when a frend gave me some stud ods for parts.

I like the idea of no governor relay or kick out switches. Regardless I am set up with all those so might as well use em.  

I did it that way back in the 60's on a 57 Ford that was converted to an OD. I ended up doing my 60 F100 that way also when I converted it and last year I did my 57 Ranchero the same way. I didn't have the relays or other pieces so this was the easiest way. With out the relay to cut out the ignition to drop the RPM for the OD to shift you have to let off the gas momentarily, it does require a slightly different driving style.