52/3 overdrive conversion

[jimTN]

I am converting a straight shift 53 to a overdrive. So far we have all the correct parts, transmission with sol., gov. relay, kickdown switch and wire harness. It appears that reversing the plate that the trans mt is clampted to will make up for the different length. Could someone that has done this please comment on what they did. Also would appreciate a pic of the firewall with relay mtd. in correct position.

[Scott52]

I have a 52 Crestline that already had OD. I took various pictures of the engine compartment. The engine had been removed and I replaced the wire harness. I converted to 12 Volts. The car is at my storage several miles away while I work on the engine. I can't remember whether I reinstalled the new OD relay or is it still in the box with the harness for that circuit. Good Luck and I hope this picture helps.

[jimTN]

Thanks for the pic Scott.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Scott52

I have a 52 Crestline that already had OD. I took various pictures of the engine compartment. The engine had been removed and I replaced the wire harness. I converted to 12 Volts. The car is at my storage several miles away while I work on the engine. I can't remember whether I reinstalled the new OD relay or is it still in the box with the harness for that circuit. Good Luck and I hope this picture helps.

[38 coupe]

I'm used to seeing the factory overdrive relay like is installed on this car:

[rotorwrench]

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Photo in post #2 doesn't look like a stock overdrive operating relay. They have screw terminals and a fuse. The one that is there is in the approximate location. The previous photo in post #5 looks to be an OEM type.

Ford changed the rear mount when they developed the automatic transmission for 1951. The 1951 Mercury was the first to change over to the large cast iron bell housing for the standard transmissions so the Ford cars changed to the Mercury offset type mount in 1951. This is the part number 1M-6068 used with standard transmissions from 1951 thru 1953. The clamp bracket is P/N 1A-6054-A or -B depending on the clearance recess, The -A is 3.96 " long and the -B is 4.18" long

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by jimTN

I am converting a straight shift 53 to a overdrive. So far we have all the correct parts, transmission with sol., gov. relay, kickdown switch and wire harness. It appears that reversing the plate that the trans mt is clampted to will make up for the different length. Could someone that has done this please comment on what they did. Also would appreciate a pic of the firewall with relay mtd. in correct position.

Regarding the "different length",....I currently have the straight 3 speed and an OD trans for my '51 on the bench, and they BOTH measure 24 1/4" in length. Not sure if 52/3 is different.

[38 coupe]

Shoebox, while the length of the transmission is the same, the location of the rear motor mount is not. The overdrive mount is further back than the straight three speed. Conveniently this is taken care of by simply turning the rear motor mount around on the same cross member.

[Robz51]

Hope this helps. 52 merc.
Rob

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[jimTN]

Thanks for more info and pics!