The Ford Barn

Habusailor · 08-25-2018, 08:13 AM

My 49 custom does not have overdrive, I see a lot of shoeboxes came with OD. What is the best way to convert to overdrive?

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rotorwrench · 08-25-2018, 09:45 AM

Most cars of that era were set up to go either way but you will have to find a 1949 or 50 overdrive transmission first. The 1951 units may work but they are different and might lead to a need for some modification. If you find one, you will need to purchase a wiring harness, a control relay, a kick down switch, a lock out cable, and what ever transmission components that might be missing from the transmission itself like the governor, reverse lock out switch, or operating solenoid. The driveshaft may work as is but I'd have to confirm that from the chassis parts book for the shoe box Fords.

Cecil/WV · 08-25-2018, 09:54 AM

Driveshaft is the same!

Mike51Merc · 08-25-2018, 10:01 AM

The best way?

Seriously?

itsa52 · 08-25-2018, 11:21 AM

I have a T86 with OD that needs a new home, but missing solonid, Should fit, although splines may be different.. Brst way is to watch eBay not uncommon for someone to offer the whole shebang, but shipping will be high

itsa52 · 08-25-2018, 11:37 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Not sure what is different with the 51, I know 49/ 50 convertibles with X frame had a special mounting plate for the soloniod so it would clear the frame but sedans where the same.. These trannies all the way up into the early 60's will interchange, May need different clutch plate or drive shaft yoke as the splines were different in some of the later years. Also the taild shaft length may change

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...ngpawlassy.jpg

tubman · 08-25-2018, 12:38 PM

The transmission mount on a '51 is in a different location than the '49-'50. I think it is further forward. This change was done to accommodate the new for '51 Fordamatic transmission. I am in the process of converting mine and was pleased to see that most of the ancillary parts (cable, kick-down switch, wiring harness, etc.) are readily available and relatively cheap. This is not the case for some of the transmission components (solenoids, etc.).

Alaska Jim · 08-25-2018, 02:51 PM

Well, in my opinion, the very best way to make the conversion would be to find a donor car that had all the parts. a rusted out dented up vehicle from a farmers field would be best, but these are very hard to come by any more. putting one together from a part here and a part there may take a while, but is doable. there are many here on the ford barn , and over on the Hamb, that will be able to help you with specific questions.

leon bee · 08-25-2018, 03:01 PM

Maybe watch craigslist for a while, I see them sometimes. There's one on Springfield, MO. list now. Way too far for you, but gives an idea.

speedshift · 08-25-2018, 04:02 PM

If you want a contemporary hiway speed cruiser, get the od transmission and keep your 3.73 rear. Just watched the od conversion installed in a 51 coupe. Took three old f--ts a weekend laying on a concrete driveway. Ouch! You could always do a "parts wanted" and have the pick of the liter.

It is worth the effort and the bucks. Good luck.

Greg58 · 08-25-2018, 05:26 PM

I changed my 50 to overdrive earlier this year, 49 and 50 used the same transmission, 51 will work but you'll have to modify the mount. I used a 51 trans and had to weld a short section onto the mount. The mount is wider and heavier on the 51 and as was said earlier the mount is one inch farther forward. Take some basic measurements of the output of your stock unit, center of output to the tunnel and to the frame on either side. I did this and had to make clearance for the solenoid, measurements make it a lot easier. I bought a kickdown switch but haven't installed it because mine doesn't need it, overdrive makes a big difference in the car, I can run with traffic with no problem.

Greg58 · 08-25-2018, 06:51 PM

Member alanwoodieman had a transmission when I was looking for mine, he may still have it. The link below is when I did mine.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239339

Frank Miller · 08-26-2018, 09:06 AM

As said before you need to go with the 49-50 transmission. If the reverse lockout switch is bad just bypass it. That was the official Ford replacement part. You have a sedan so you will not need the rocker assembly to mount the solenoid underneath. These transmissions are available as I've seen quite a few at Hershey before. The other parts can also be sourced. Some will tell you they use a toggle switch but when you get one of these hooked up the way the factory did it you'll love the operation.

rotorwrench · 08-26-2018, 09:49 AM

The lock out switch is not just for reverse. Personally, I like to have that switch on there and operational. When you pull the lock out cable, it turns the system off so that the solenoid is not hot when the governor reaches shift speed. I think Ford discontinued its use because owners rarely locked out the overdrive function. If you pull a trailer or live in mountainous areas, you will find more of a necessity to lock out the overdrive and that solenoid uses a good bit of electrical power whether its locked out or not without that switch.

Greg58 · 08-26-2018, 11:31 AM

I use a toggle switch to turn the power on and off, I too didn't want unnecessary wear on the solenoid/relay when not using overdrive. The relay I'm using can be found at any parts store, since mine is 12v, my solenoid I found on eBay for $51 delivered.

amodel25 · 08-27-2018, 12:34 PM

The '51 transmission is a bolt in in '49 and '50 if you use a '51 rear crossmember.

tubman · 08-27-2018, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amodel25

The '51 transmission is a bolt in in '49 and '50 if you use a '51 rear crossmember.

I suspect that you have to drill the proper holes in the "X"-member to mount the '51 cross-member; I don't think they're already there. That might get a little tricky.

Greg58 · 08-28-2018, 08:31 PM

The mount needed a 3/4 inch rise to sit at the height of the stock transmission, a piece of angle steel cut down on one side and welded to the mount and the the holes drilled. This was the best option for me, I've got maybe $20 in it and it works fine.

Frank Miller · 08-29-2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I suspect that you have to drill the proper holes in the "X"-member to mount the '51 cross-member; I don't think they're already there. That might get a little tricky.

Only the convertibles had the X member. They also have a rocker attachment so the solenoid is underneath the transmission.

tubman · 08-29-2018, 01:39 PM

I should have said "cross member", not "X member"; it may have been a poor choice of terms. I was referring to the inner frame structures to which the transmission support bolts. Since the support has been moved, new holes will still have to be drilled.

08-25-2018, 08:13 AM	#1
Habusailor Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Fargo North Dakota Posts: 264	Overdrive My 49 custom does not have overdrive, I see a lot of shoeboxes came with OD. What is the best way to convert to overdrive? Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

08-25-2018, 09:45 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Overdrive Most cars of that era were set up to go either way but you will have to find a 1949 or 50 overdrive transmission first. The 1951 units may work but they are different and might lead to a need for some modification. If you find one, you will need to purchase a wiring harness, a control relay, a kick down switch, a lock out cable, and what ever transmission components that might be missing from the transmission itself like the governor, reverse lock out switch, or operating solenoid. The driveshaft may work as is but I'd have to confirm that from the chassis parts book for the shoe box Fords.

08-25-2018, 09:54 AM	#3
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: Overdrive Driveshaft is the same!

08-25-2018, 10:01 AM	#4
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: Overdrive The best way? Seriously?

08-25-2018, 11:21 AM	#5
itsa52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 603	Re: Overdrive I have a T86 with OD that needs a new home, but missing solonid, Should fit, although splines may be different.. Brst way is to watch eBay not uncommon for someone to offer the whole shebang, but shipping will be high

08-25-2018, 11:37 AM	#6
itsa52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 603	Re: Overdrive Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Not sure what is different with the 51, I know 49/ 50 convertibles with X frame had a special mounting plate for the soloniod so it would clear the frame but sedans where the same.. These trannies all the way up into the early 60's will interchange, May need different clutch plate or drive shaft yoke as the splines were different in some of the later years. Also the taild shaft length may change http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...ngpawlassy.jpg

08-25-2018, 12:38 PM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: Overdrive The transmission mount on a '51 is in a different location than the '49-'50. I think it is further forward. This change was done to accommodate the new for '51 Fordamatic transmission. I am in the process of converting mine and was pleased to see that most of the ancillary parts (cable, kick-down switch, wiring harness, etc.) are readily available and relatively cheap. This is not the case for some of the transmission components (solenoids, etc.).

08-25-2018, 02:51 PM	#8
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: Overdrive Well, in my opinion, the very best way to make the conversion would be to find a donor car that had all the parts. a rusted out dented up vehicle from a farmers field would be best, but these are very hard to come by any more. putting one together from a part here and a part there may take a while, but is doable. there are many here on the ford barn , and over on the Hamb, that will be able to help you with specific questions.

08-25-2018, 03:01 PM	#9
leon bee Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Arkansas Posts: 611	Re: Overdrive Maybe watch craigslist for a while, I see them sometimes. There's one on Springfield, MO. list now. Way too far for you, but gives an idea.

08-25-2018, 04:02 PM	#10
speedshift Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: virginia Posts: 39	Re: Overdrive If you want a contemporary hiway speed cruiser, get the od transmission and keep your 3.73 rear. Just watched the od conversion installed in a 51 coupe. Took three old f--ts a weekend laying on a concrete driveway. Ouch! You could always do a "parts wanted" and have the pick of the liter. It is worth the effort and the bucks. Good luck.

08-25-2018, 05:26 PM	#11
Greg58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Newnan Georgia Posts: 206	Re: Overdrive I changed my 50 to overdrive earlier this year, 49 and 50 used the same transmission, 51 will work but you'll have to modify the mount. I used a 51 trans and had to weld a short section onto the mount. The mount is wider and heavier on the 51 and as was said earlier the mount is one inch farther forward. Take some basic measurements of the output of your stock unit, center of output to the tunnel and to the frame on either side. I did this and had to make clearance for the solenoid, measurements make it a lot easier. I bought a kickdown switch but haven't installed it because mine doesn't need it, overdrive makes a big difference in the car, I can run with traffic with no problem. __________________ Greg Last edited by Greg58; 08-25-2018 at 07:08 PM.

08-25-2018, 06:51 PM	#12
Greg58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Newnan Georgia Posts: 206	Re: Overdrive Member alanwoodieman had a transmission when I was looking for mine, he may still have it. The link below is when I did mine. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239339 __________________ Greg Last edited by Greg58; 08-25-2018 at 07:14 PM.

08-26-2018, 09:06 AM	#13
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Overdrive As said before you need to go with the 49-50 transmission. If the reverse lockout switch is bad just bypass it. That was the official Ford replacement part. You have a sedan so you will not need the rocker assembly to mount the solenoid underneath. These transmissions are available as I've seen quite a few at Hershey before. The other parts can also be sourced. Some will tell you they use a toggle switch but when you get one of these hooked up the way the factory did it you'll love the operation. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

08-26-2018, 09:49 AM	#14
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Overdrive The lock out switch is not just for reverse. Personally, I like to have that switch on there and operational. When you pull the lock out cable, it turns the system off so that the solenoid is not hot when the governor reaches shift speed. I think Ford discontinued its use because owners rarely locked out the overdrive function. If you pull a trailer or live in mountainous areas, you will find more of a necessity to lock out the overdrive and that solenoid uses a good bit of electrical power whether its locked out or not without that switch.

08-26-2018, 11:31 AM	#15
Greg58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Newnan Georgia Posts: 206	Re: Overdrive I use a toggle switch to turn the power on and off, I too didn't want unnecessary wear on the solenoid/relay when not using overdrive. The relay I'm using can be found at any parts store, since mine is 12v, my solenoid I found on eBay for $51 delivered. __________________ Greg

08-27-2018, 12:34 PM	#16
amodel25 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crowley, TX Posts: 328	Re: Overdrive The '51 transmission is a bolt in in '49 and '50 if you use a '51 rear crossmember.

08-28-2018, 08:31 PM	#18
Greg58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Newnan Georgia Posts: 206	Re: Overdrive The mount needed a 3/4 inch rise to sit at the height of the stock transmission, a piece of angle steel cut down on one side and welded to the mount and the the holes drilled. This was the best option for me, I've got maybe $20 in it and it works fine. __________________ Greg

08-29-2018, 01:39 PM	#20
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: Overdrive I should have said "cross member", not "X member"; it may have been a poor choice of terms. I was referring to the inner frame structures to which the transmission support bolts. Since the support has been moved, new holes will still have to be drilled.