Volvo OD in a '36?

[Steve in Denver]

I have seen the threads about putting a Volvo overdrive in Model As. Any one know if it has been tried in a '36? My biggest concern is body clearance. I don't like the Mitchel as I don't want to cut a hole in the bottom of the trunk in my '36 5W.


And which Volvo od out of which year Volvo? Photos appreciated.
Steve in Denver

[rotorwrench]

They were used in more than just the model A. There were several people that did torque tube conversions. The design was by Laycock. Borg Warner ODs were also converted for torque tube use.

[cas3]

i have a friend who is a big franklin car guy they are very popular in that group. the franklin is a heavy car, and they seem tough enough to hold up. i do not think they have floor clearance problems like our fords, but the unit itself is smaller than the mitchel.

[Steve in Denver]

Yes, the Volvo is nicely smaller than the Mitchel, just don't know if it still requires modifying the torque tube tunnel.

This photo is from an earlier posting.

[Jembow]

Looking at the tunnel in my 36 3 window, I don't think anything will fit without some cutting. The Laycock unit was fitted to Jaguar,Triumph,Volvo etc. Check
https://www.overdrive-repairs.co.uk/
for general info on the 2 types.

I have been told Rich Little [email protected] is the man to talk to in the US.

[bob miller]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In europe we have an adaptator to fit Volvo 740 gearbox (5 speed or 4 +overdrive) on military simca engines .

[Mart]

Do we Bob? Any details on where that is available from?

[bob miller]

It's a friend Who had create this adaptator.we call that pièce "the tournier adaptateur"..i will as him the pdf if you are interested

[Mart]

Thanks Bob. There may be a market for such a piece in the Uk. Anything that puts a modern box on a flathead is a good idea.

Mart.

[flatheadmurre]

Simca as in 60hp ?
Normal early ford boltcircle ?
I´ve built a couple of volvo boxes for model A´s.
A truck hogs head and a volvo gearbox should work for a flathead.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Jembow

I have been told Rich Little [email protected] is the man to talk to in the US.

This is apparently the unit that Rich Little offers, at least in a Model A driveline. Seems like it would be equally as easy to apply to a V8 torque tube. I don't profess to know anything about Rich or his units. This is only what I was able to find on line. Click on the link below for more info and more pics. DD


http://www.thelmasgarage.com/volvo.htm










……..

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by flatheadmurre

Normal early ford boltcircle ?
A truck hogs head and a volvo gearbox should work for a flathead.

If we're talking about just bolting a plain old 4+1 (5-speed) O/D transmission onto the rear of a flathead, it's become common place and easy to do with the adapters available to directly bolt any Chevy pattern T5 (preferably a Camaro with the 2.95 1st gear ratio) behind a flathead. T5s are far easier to find than Volvo O/Ds. Or, if you should desire to incorporate a T5 into your Ford torque tube, refer to the project that a friend of mine (Heard here on the 'Barn) and I devised for his '35 Ford with 8BA flathead. What we did applies to any '35-'40 Ford car or pick-up chassis. Click on the T5 W/TORQUE TUBE located toward the BOTTOM, LEFT of this post, or click on the link just ABOVE the picture below. Full descriptive plus many pictures. I will happily answer any questions, but we sell NO KIT or PARTS! Teaser picture below!! DD


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...T5+TORQUE+TUBE

[Jembow]

There's a Volvo-only junk yard 20 miles from here, must have 50 740/940 cars. I am interested in any way of improving on the 4.77 rear end in my car.

[mfagan]

I installed a laycock Volvo overdrive in a Willys Knight touring car with open drive shaft.

On thing to consider is you need the main shaft from the transmission for an input to the overdrive. I modified that shaft to be able to adapt the drive shaft to the overdrive.

[Steve in Denver]

I just did some measuring, the Volvo J-Type OD is 6.5 inches in diameter. The '36 drive shaft tunnel is about 5 3/8, so not enough clearance, the tunnel would still have to be cut and widened about 3/4 of an inch on each side.

If anyone knows, I would like to know how the J od is attached to the '36 drive shaft?

[cas3]

i believe folks are putting it further back than the tunnel. looks like smack in the middle of the torque tube for the model A application. some of the old T accessory rear ends were attached direct to the differential. lots of clearance there. you figger it out, i have a volvo tranny waiting on the shelf

[Steve in Denver]

Thanks, There must more clearance in the Model As. The more forward it were to go in a '36, the less travel room there would be.

[KGS]

Originally Posted by cas3

i believe folks are putting it further back than the tunnel. looks like smack in the middle of the torque tube for the model A application. some of the old T accessory rear ends were attached direct to the differential. lots of clearance there. you figger it out, i have a volvo tranny waiting on the shelf

Here is a link to a Volvo/Laycock O/D installation in a '40 pickup. Basically the same frame as a '36. Post #24 shows pictures of the installation.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...olvo&showall=1

[Steve in Denver]

Thanks for the links to the great photos. The drive shaft tunnel seems to be the only problem, due to lack of clearance. With a pick up bed, there seems to be lots of clearance.

From the photos, it does seem like there is a lot of machine work that needs to be accomplished.

I do appreciate all the info.