Columbia not shifting

[motordr]

I have a Columbia in my 32 Ford. Vacuum to the shift cylinder is through a 1947 Ford control valve. There is a rubber washer right next to the solenoid that has swollen and prevents the spool from shifting. It was a new kit installed a couple of years ago.
Has anyone else had this problem? My valve is located under the floorboard. It seems that the rubber is incompatible with the fuel residue that finds its way down there. Anyone know the correct dimensions for this rubber washer? What material, buna N?
Thanks, Ted

[GSCOV]

Look in Hemmings Motor News under Ford parts for sale and there are a couple of guys that advertise services, etc. for Columbia 2 speed rear ends.

[jimTN]

The 46-8 control valve is located under the hood normally and I do not think it has any o rings. I does have two diaphrams that change the speedometer gearing. Post a pic of what you have and we may be able to figure out where you can get repair stuff.

[motordr]

I can get the parts... I have replaced them recently, but if the material has not changed, they will only deteriorate again. They are so swollen that I can't get a measurement to reproduce in a fuel resistant material.
One suggestion is to put a plumbers loop in the line from the intake to the control valve, so I will do that, but also need new rubber washers/discs made from a Rubber that will not swell, get soft and split.
Ted

[G.M.]

If the seal on the shaft from the rear in through the vacume cylinder is
worn oil is sucked from the rear into the cylinder and beyond. With the
control valve so close it will get into it. The way to check for a leaky seal
is to remove the vacume hoses from the large vacume cylinder and look
for black oil. I have had to replace several seals. The seal is a standard
seal available from a bearing supply company. l would think if it leaked
bad shifting could be a little sluggish. Lubricate the leather seals in the
vacume cylinder with MMO. This can be done by squirting MMO into the
cylinder with an oil can. Load it up good so it saturates the leather cups.
You may want to move the control valve in behind the seat. The rears
shift better with the control valve close to the rear. G.M.

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by jimTN

The 46-8 control valve is located under the hood normally and I do not think it has any o rings. I does have two diaphrams that change the speedometer gearing. Post a pic of what you have and we may be able to figure out where you can get repair stuff.

You will find the need to replace these every year or two. The fuel vapors will continue to attack the rubber regardless of any "loop" you place in the line.

[motordr]

GM, the control valve is under the toe board about a foot from the intake manifold port.
Kube, so I found my old rubber seals that I replaced. It will be a pain to have to replace these every year.
I have the dimensions, now what material should I look for to make these? It needs to be soft enough to effect a seal yet stand up to fuel vapours.
Ted

[4dFord/SC]

Google fuel-resistant gasket material.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by motordr

GM, the control valve is under the toe board about a foot from the intake manifold port.
Kube, so I found my old rubber seals that I replaced. It will be a pain to have to replace these every year.
I have the dimensions, now what material should I look for to make these? It needs to be soft enough to effect a seal yet stand up to fuel vapours.
Ted

Nitrile is impervious to alcohol based fuels.

[motordr]

I'm told that nitrile or Buna N doesn't stand up to today's "fuels" and that Viton is the better material, so I have gotten some 1/16" and 1/4" sheet to make new valve discs/seals.
Ted

[Kube]

Originally Posted by motordr

I'm told that nitrile or Buna N doesn't stand up to today's "fuels" and that Viton is the better material, so I have gotten some 1/16" and 1/4" sheet to make new valve discs/seals.
Ted

I can't say from personal experience whether or not Viton is better. I can say that I have had very good fortune with Nitrile.

[motordr]

When I mentioned to the rubber supplier that gasoline was involved he said to only use Viton and told me to do the smell test to make sure it is the real thing. It smells like Fireball or cinnamon.
So I made the valve discs and installed them. The Columbia shifts great now.
Ted

[roadster36]

I was having some problems with the 2-speed in my '34 3-W coupe. I contacted John Connelly at Columbia Two Speed Parts and he was able to supply exactly what I needed in a timely manner. He is a great guy to deal with. He is in Cottonwood, Az. 951-719-4077

[motordr]

Originally Posted by roadster36

I was having some problems with the 2-speed in my '34 3-W coupe. I contacted John Connelly at Columbia Two Speed Parts and he was able to supply exactly what I needed in a timely manner. He is a great guy to deal with. He is in Cottonwood, Az. 951-719-4077

Yes, John and Mararet are great to deal with!