Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

What Application uses a key on the plunger shaft that fits into a keyway inside the solenoid ?
Never saw one like this.... I will post a picture if possible.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

The operating shaft has to remain in one orientation or it could decouple itself. These things were used from 1940 till 1973 so they went through variations over the years. Some had terminal screws and others had just wires extending from the case and who knows what internal differences. Most all of them have the 1-inch protrusion of the shaft except the odd ones for X frame applications or other frame/body obstruction situations.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

I'm sure you have opened up more solenoids than I have, but shouldn't all plungers have a feature that prevents the shaft from rotating and pulling out of the pawl?

Sorry, I was typing when rotorwrench was posting.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

I have never seen a OD plunger with a key that would fit a keyway inside the solenoid.
This makes the plunger rod FIXED instead of being able to adjust the plunger to fit the transmission your using it on.
For example, I have a T86 overdrive on my 55 ford, the T86`s I have had (2) both need the plunger flats to be aligned in the 7-2 o`clock position in order to be able to insert and turn the solenoid 1/4 turn to lock into the pawl in the transmission.
The solenoids I have, lock in the orientation of the plunger shaft because the end of the shaft is hexagonal in shape and this mates with a hexagonal design inside the solenoid. Bu using a hexagonal shape, the plunger can be set with it`s flats in six (6) different positions to fit different tranny`s. The picture of the plunger with a key is something I had not seen before. WHAT APPLICATIONS WERE THEY USED ON ?
will try to post a picture of the hex plunger shaft.

Hexagonal plunger picture
 

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

I've never seen one like that. It may be an aftermarket solenoid (they were made), and the manufacturer used the hexagonal feature to cover many applications instead of having to make several different ones. Such are the economics of aftermarket suppliers.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

I removed the solenoid from a T85 from a 57 Ford that looked like your top picture. Keyway keeps it from rotating. Looks the same as my T86 that came from a 56 Ford. If it locks in when the bolt holes are aligned it should be okay.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

There may have been different manufacturers of these if Borg Warner couldn't keep the inventory up. One that fits a 1940 Lincoln Continental may be different from one for a 51 Studebaker but most still fit and functioned the same.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

Just spoke with Randy Rundle and he stated he had never seen an OD plunger with a key. Still waiting to hear from Mac Vanpelt on this odd plunger. I will post when I hear from Mac.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

Mac Vanpelt just got back to me...he stated that he had heard of solenoid plungers with a key on it but that Ford never used one.
I am curious as to what car or truck this was used on.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

one other curiosity... how would the seal work? every one that I have seen had a seal that kept oil from leaking down that shaft. Seems to me that a key would be an odd feature to have unless there was a plate outside of the seal that "locked" the shaft in position? not sure what to make of that.

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

Rev, the key is inside the solenoid barrel. It doesn't go thru far enough to contact the seal. Ben

Re: Od solenoid with a key on the plunger
 

makes sense... :D