Columbia overdrive

[flathead ford]

I would like to install 1939-1940 Columbia 2-speed rear axle in my 1935 5-window coupe. Will a 59-ab engine with a 3 deuce intake and carbs give me enough vacuum to switch from high to low and low to high or do I need another way to switch it? Thanks

[Matt in Alameda]

I do not know the answer to your question, however I do know that Columbia's fit specific years. ie. 33-34 is the same...35-36 is the same 37-40 is the same 41 is a stand alone. In other words if you are hoping to slip a 37-40 Columbia under your 35 you better have the 37-40 wish bones and torque tube and the full rear axle...otherwise you are in for a lot of fabricating. Good luck to you on your project....Matt in Alameda

[Ken/Alabama]

I had one in my 40 Convert with a 59A and 3 Strombergs , Isky 88 cam. Never had a problem with it not shifting.

[PeterC]

I agree with Matt re 35 having a different axle set up re the wishbones - I have both a 35 and 39 with Columbia rears. Both have 59 blocks with high performance flatheads - no problems with vacuum to shift.

[frederic]

just posted a thread asking about using a later model 49-50 fuel pump with the added vacuum pump on the bottom, I dont know if it would even fit the 59ab or early engines, but sounds like it would be a practical addition to add vacuum source. anyone got an idea

frederic

[4dFord/SC]

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You could use a vacuum cannister from a '67 T-Bird, but it would probably benefit the wipers more than the Columbia. IMHO, there should be plenty of "stock" vacuum to shift the Columbia. The supply for mine with a Holley 4bbl is T'd off the wiper hose.

[blucar]

If you have a complete '39-40 Columbia it should fit under your '35-36 Ford with no trouble, that is if your car has been converted to hydraulic brakes.
If you are trying to piece a unit together you will need a complete '39-40 axle assembly, including the Columbia side, you can use the '35-36 torque tube and center section with '37-40 radius bars. The '37-40 bars are long in lieu of short like the later models. A 3/4" spacer between the bars and the torque tube mounting lug will correct the slight misalignment for the attaching bolt.
If you want to keep your stock wheels you can use the '40 drums for the '35 wires and '37-39 drums for your '36 wheels.. You will need an adapter on the '40 drums to properly mount the wire wheels.
The later model '42-48 Columbia shift controls work better than the early stuff and they can be concealed out of the way..
See the attached pix of how I mounted the solenoid assembly on the inner fender with the speedo shift mounted to the inside of the firewall on my '36 Ford.
Vacuum is no problem... I am running a 59AB engine, bored .60 over, Weber F1 cam, an Offy Super manifold with 2-- 97's.