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Old 08-10-2012, 07:55 PM   #1
c125bob
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Default Anybody heard of this overdrive?

My picture of the unit under the car was bad but here's the knob on the steering column. The unit has "RICE A" on the housing but no tag or other markings. It is cable controlled and must be disengaged to reverse. If you forget to disengage it, reverse acts like neutral.

Any knowledge would be appreciated !
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Old 08-10-2012, 07:59 PM   #2
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Dang it... picture is upside down, sorry !
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Old 08-10-2012, 08:07 PM   #3
Bob C
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

I just turned my monitor upside down and it looks good.

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Old 08-10-2012, 09:00 PM   #4
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Ha ! I'm happy to get it on here upside down or not !

I searched a good bit here and didn't find anything I could tie to the overdrive. I hoping somebody will know something about it or can point me to some info. Also, thanks for fixing the picture !!!
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Old 08-10-2012, 09:31 PM   #5
Tom Endy
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

I suspect the photo is showing a control cable connected to a Borg Warner overdrive modified for a Model A.

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Old 08-10-2012, 09:41 PM   #6
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

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I don't know specifics about it, but if it acts like neutral in reverse, it probably has some type of one-way locking cone or spring clutch. That would allow engagement and disengagement without depressing the clutch, simply take your foot off the throttle. The downside: It is free-wheeling. This means zero engine braking when you let off the throttle. Sounds nice 'till you're on a long downhill and discover what brake fade is all about. If it were mine, I'd be vigilant about dis-engaging it on major hill crests.
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Old 08-10-2012, 11:10 PM   #7
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Sure sounds like a BW overdrive to me.Not the best OD for an"A" because of the free wheeling when in OD.
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Old 08-11-2012, 12:00 AM   #8
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Gee....Must be my wild side..but I like the free wheeling feature...it takes all the buzz out of the winshield when you decelerate... I put brake bands on the drums and that improved the braking by 30% I am told...sure stops well...plus, I like the Borg-Warner unit as it is inexpensive and easy to work on...parts are still available...lots ot them still in wrecking yards...
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Old 08-11-2012, 12:19 AM   #9
Jim Huseby
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

The BW overdrive, when properly wired, with all components operative, and shifted into its O'D position, only free-wheels when it is below the governed O'D shift-up speed of about 27 MPH. Above that speed, the engine/trans stays solidly connected to the driveshaft , whether accelerating or decelerating, via the planetary set. The governor can be bypassed and then it wouldn't free-wheel at all. I have put hundreds of thousands of (mostly) trouble-free miles on these, but not in A's. I have driven a couple in A's, but the installers and drivers didn't understand the original wiring and function of the unit and they would crash the unit into and out overdrive with the shifting cable (and think they were doing it right). There is a problem with the free-wheeling, though, and that is the danger that a blown fuse in the unit or an electrical problem will put it into free-wheeling mode, but it then can be manually shifted out of O'D, in which position it can not free-wheel. However THAT process is dangerous to the unit when the car is moving. So,yes, if you're not BW O'D techy, maybe better choose something else.
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Old 08-11-2012, 01:57 AM   #10
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

I thought about buying a BW unit. Then I thought about the wife driving and the free wheeling. I think she would panic and probably have a wreck.
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Old 08-11-2012, 05:31 AM   #11
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

You guys are the best ! Thanks, I have some learning to do. Haven't had the car a week, first Model A ever, learning as I go. So...... anybody willing to give me a short run down on how to use the overdrive ? I mean like step by step instructions ? So far my top speed has been 35 and I didn't try the overdrive. I understand about the free wheeling and am glad I chose to ask questions before learning it the hard way ! I'll try to get a better picture of the unit today.

I appreciate your willingness to help me get started with the wonderful car.

Bob
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Old 08-11-2012, 06:30 AM   #12
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

How about a picture of the OD unit? It is very easy to ID a BW. Gar Williams
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Old 08-11-2012, 09:42 AM   #13
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

what year and model of cars did come in,
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Old 08-11-2012, 11:07 AM   #14
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Most all Studebakers had B/W overdrives.
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Old 08-11-2012, 12:29 PM   #15
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

50's Fords also had them. My Dad had a 52 & 56 Ford & I had a 53 Merc that all had BW OD. Once I needed some parts for my Merc OD, and they came from a Studebaker.
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Old 08-11-2012, 01:22 PM   #16
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

I finally got a decent picture of the unit. The car is a 1931 Special Coupe and the overdrive was on it when I bought it. Not knowing anything about it I haven't tried to engage it when the car was moving. I did try it sitting still and saw that reverse acts like neutral when it's engaged.

I found some info at this link http://www.fordification.com/tech/overdrive.htm but it refers to electrical activity and wiring etc. My unit doesn't have any connections on it anywhere for wiring. The lever operates smoothly and there is another connection for a cable driven lever. I don't have a clue what that is !!

I'm all ears folks, anybody recognize it or know anything about it ?
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Old 08-11-2012, 02:00 PM   #17
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Those BW units were used on dozens of different vehicles.I've had quite a few of them.The latest was in a 71 Ford pickup I had,I still have one in a 54 Studebaker.That cable setup eliminates the electric parts.Where that post sticks out in the left side of your picture is where the solenoid would mount.That post is a unit made for the conversion,it gets rid of the electrical parts.I had one just like it.Same cable conversion and all.It worked nicely,but it was a 33% overdrive and that was too high for me.I took it out and sold it.Maybe you have it now.
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Old 08-11-2012, 02:20 PM   #18
c125bob
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Ha Keith, maybe I do ! Now, will you tell me how to work it? How does it shift in and out? Can the car be moving or do you have to set it before taking off?
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Old 08-11-2012, 03:00 PM   #19
sturgis 39
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

I have an under drive transmission from a 29 "AA" Ford truck. They are usually called a dual high transmission. I have been thinking of turning it end for end an making a poor boys overdrive. Has anybody tried this conversion.
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Old 08-11-2012, 03:26 PM   #20
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Default Re: Anybody heard of this overdrive?

Yes Sturgis 39,
Its been done, there is a little about it on the web and a couple of pictures. It is supposed to work well and shift nicely on the fly. But noisy. I have one I am going to
to it in a Model A Powered speedster.
The race group we run with won't allow a Mitchell or a Borgwarner, but the turned around AA unit is ok.

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