The Ford Barn

bullrunmotor · 07-17-2015, 09:31 PM

I recently saw a 28 Model A and 34 Ford V-8 in a collection of cars that dated back to the 60's which had Borg Warner overdrives fitted to them. They still had closed drive shafts. The owners son told me that this was a popular conversion back in the day. The former owner was a talented machinist. I've heard of a Laycock overdrive conversion-like MG's and Volvos had in them. Is anyone familiar with the Borg Warner conversion? It sure looked slick. Thanks in advance.

Mike V. Florida · 07-17-2015, 10:09 PM

A search here will find you a bunch of information.

TerryH · 07-17-2015, 10:32 PM

I believe that some of them are a very high overdrive ratio, like 33% or 36%, which I think is too high if you have a stock Model A rear axle ratio of 3.78. They work, but the Mitchell is a better all around unit with far fewer issues.

JohnLaVoy · 07-18-2015, 10:07 AM

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I have used a Borg Warner overdrive done in the 70s by a guy in California. Has worked great gone many long tours with it and enjoy the ability to keep up with traffic. We did a review of the various overdrives years ago in the Model A Times, telling about the benefits and negatives of each one.

07-17-2015, 09:31 PM	#1
bullrunmotor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 210	Borg Warner overdrive in Model A and Early V-8's I recently saw a 28 Model A and 34 Ford V-8 in a collection of cars that dated back to the 60's which had Borg Warner overdrives fitted to them. They still had closed drive shafts. The owners son told me that this was a popular conversion back in the day. The former owner was a talented machinist. I've heard of a Laycock overdrive conversion-like MG's and Volvos had in them. Is anyone familiar with the Borg Warner conversion? It sure looked slick. Thanks in advance.

07-17-2015, 10:09 PM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Borg Warner overdrive in Model A and Early V-8's A search here will find you a bunch of information. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-17-2015, 10:32 PM	#3
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: Borg Warner overdrive in Model A and Early V-8's I believe that some of them are a very high overdrive ratio, like 33% or 36%, which I think is too high if you have a stock Model A rear axle ratio of 3.78. They work, but the Mitchell is a better all around unit with far fewer issues.

07-18-2015, 10:07 AM	#4
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: Borg Warner overdrive in Model A and Early V-8's Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have used a Borg Warner overdrive done in the 70s by a guy in California. Has worked great gone many long tours with it and enjoy the ability to keep up with traffic. We did a review of the various overdrives years ago in the Model A Times, telling about the benefits and negatives of each one.