The Ford Barn

svmsr1044 · 08-20-2024, 05:53 AM

When an early Ford V8 (up to 48), was equipped with a Columbia 2 speed rear, what was the usual gear ratio when the Columbia was NOT engaged?

jimTN · 08-20-2024, 06:11 AM

The Fords I have tore down had 4:11 gears, Lincolns had 4:44 gears.

glennpm · 08-20-2024, 06:23 AM

Couple of charts

Glenn

37 Coupe · 08-20-2024, 07:31 AM

They were dealer installed or a shop that installed the Columbia not factory installed so whatever the gear ratio was from the factory.My '37 Ford with Columbia is a 3:78.

danliveshere · 08-20-2024, 07:34 AM

When using a 4.11 rear axle, in high gear the ratio increases to 2.9. You need a pretty strong engine to run a 3.78 or 3.54. I asked this question before rebuilding my Columbia, and I had plenty of helpful information. ( I’m still restoring this car so I can’t give a personal opinion here, but I was persuaded to use a 4.11 as the vehicle will need to travel up a mountain range so I have a nice low range and a comfortable highway gear, perfect for my 85 hp engine.

Ken/Alabama · 08-20-2024, 11:19 AM

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I have a 3:78 in my 40. The stock 221 will struggle on long hills with the Columbia engaged.

glennpm · 08-20-2024, 11:55 AM

Ken, you can keep your '40 in overdrive and shift down to 2nd gear.

Assuming a 1.604 2nd gear in overdrive:

Final drive ratio = 1.604-1.604*0.285 = 1.15

Glenn

solidaxle · 08-20-2024, 12:07 PM

If you are contemplating an install, you need to take in consideration what size tires and weight of the auto that the Columbia is going to be installed into.

I'm running 3:54 gears with 7.00 x 16" tires, in a very light car with no fenders. I like the results. I don't make it a practice, but it pulls fine from a stop in 1rst gear high with my 9 inch clutch and cutdown flywheel with no slippage. With that said, I wouldn't get away with it if it was a heavy car.

08-20-2024, 05:53 AM	#1
svmsr1044 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ivyland, PA Posts: 117	Columbia When an early Ford V8 (up to 48), was equipped with a Columbia 2 speed rear, what was the usual gear ratio when the Columbia was NOT engaged?

08-20-2024, 06:11 AM	#2
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,617	Re: Columbia The Fords I have tore down had 4:11 gears, Lincolns had 4:44 gears.

08-20-2024, 06:23 AM	#3
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 2,815	Re: Columbia Couple of charts Glenn __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat's Notes Techno-Source-for-the-1932-thru-1953-Flathead-Ford

08-20-2024, 07:31 AM	#4
37 Coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,955	Re: Columbia They were dealer installed or a shop that installed the Columbia not factory installed so whatever the gear ratio was from the factory.My '37 Ford with Columbia is a 3:78. __________________ "Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II

08-20-2024, 07:34 AM	#5
danliveshere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cairns , Australia Posts: 835	Re: Columbia When using a 4.11 rear axle, in high gear the ratio increases to 2.9. You need a pretty strong engine to run a 3.78 or 3.54. I asked this question before rebuilding my Columbia, and I had plenty of helpful information. ( I’m still restoring this car so I can’t give a personal opinion here, but I was persuaded to use a 4.11 as the vehicle will need to travel up a mountain range so I have a nice low range and a comfortable highway gear, perfect for my 85 hp engine.

08-20-2024, 11:19 AM	#6
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,395	Re: Columbia Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a 3:78 in my 40. The stock 221 will struggle on long hills with the Columbia engaged.

08-20-2024, 11:55 AM	#7
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 2,815	Re: Columbia Ken, you can keep your '40 in overdrive and shift down to 2nd gear. Assuming a 1.604 2nd gear in overdrive: Final drive ratio = 1.604-1.6040.285 = 1.15* Glenn

08-20-2024, 12:07 PM	#8
solidaxle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: upstate NY Posts: 517	Re: Columbia If you are contemplating an install, you need to take in consideration what size tires and weight of the auto that the Columbia is going to be installed into. I'm running 3:54 gears with 7.00 x 16" tires, in a very light car with no fenders. I like the results. I don't make it a practice, but it pulls fine from a stop in 1rst gear high with my 9 inch clutch and cutdown flywheel with no slippage. With that said, I wouldn't get away with it if it was a heavy car.