Projects Shade Tree Model A Speedster Kind of Thing

Fingers crossed for you on the next test drive!!

 

If I remember correctly Iron Trap used a piece of rubber in place of your leather seal. Looked kinda like inner tube rubber only thicker.

 

Well, today is a day to be marked with a gold star. I took the car out this morning and the Columbia worked flawlessly. I could not be more delighted with it. Engages and disengages smoothly and pretty much silently (I use the clutch and treat it just like another transmission). It bridges that long gap between 2nd and 3rd like it was designed just for that. It will take a little getting used to, starting in 1st (no OD), clutch into 2nd, then clutch into OD. The next shift is the tricky part, clutch in, out of OD, into 3rd, clutch out. (It's not as ***bersome as it sounds. I think it will become second nature pretty quickly.) Then, of course, clutch into OD in 3rd. Drops about 600 rpm, but to tell the truth, I was so excited I didn't note that exactly. I also don't have the special speedometer turtle adapter these came with, so it drops my speedometer reading, too, but if I shift into OD going about 55 at about 2000 rpm, it drops my engine down to around 1500 and is SO much more comfortable, for me and the poor old banger.

One more note on that tricky 2nd/OD to 3rd/direct drive shift. I argued with myself when I was making that bell-crank manual shift control for this thing about which way the shifter should move, settled on forward for high, back for low. Mainly because that's the way the geometry of the system kind of wanted to be, but I think I got lucky. When I'm making that shift, I'm pulling the rear shifter back out of OD, then pulling the main shifter back into 3rd. It feels very intuitive. Also, one thing you never want to do with these things, apparently, is use reverse with the OD engaged, so I'm going to have to make myself pull it back every time I shut the car down. Probably best to try to get in the habit of touching that thing first every time I shift, anyway. Just to make sure it's in the right place. I ordered one of those cheap action camera things from that river in Brazil, so when it gets here I'll try to make a video that shows this thing in action as soon as I can.

One issue I did fix (and photograph) is the awkward placement of that Columbia shifter over in the p***enger compartment. Just a matter of heating and bending.









I also brazed that tube in, while I had the torch going. Still have to figure out some kind of knob for that thing, but inspiration will come. Doesn't even look like a bicycle fork anymore, does it? Hahaha.

Oh yeah, probably time to sweep out the floorboards, as well.

 

Sorry for a completely unnecessary post here, but man is it nice to be driving this thing again.



Also, I was a bit worried that the Columbia would be visually overpowering under such a small car, but it doesn’t bother me at all. And, I don’t notice the extra 1-1/2” or so of track width back there.

 

I could 3D print Odie's head to use as a knob... would be fun to see who made the (OD) connection

 

That is great to hear!! I was worried that the Columbia OD wouldnt work for you, and after all that work...
But so glad it worked out.
This speedster has a great look, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you pull it all together from mismatched parts and pieces. So cool, so cool.

 

I found a 1-1/2" diameter solid copper ball that I decided to use for a shift knob. First step was to turn a little flat on the bottom and drill & tap it for 1/4-20.



Then I needed a male threaded end on the shifter. I hacksawed a little square post, rounded it with a file, and threaded it to match.







Then it was just a matter of screwing it together. Copper machines like **** for me, so I wasn't confident that this would hold. I soldered it for good measure. It sure took a lot to bring that solid copper up to temp.





Made it a pretty color, though. Then just re-install.



No cartoon jokes, but I'm pretty happy with it anyway. Haha.

 

perfect!!

 

As promised, here is a short video. Don't expect too much in the videography department. I think I covered the information basics in the video description, so no need to repeat it here. I'll just say that the change that I feel when overdrive is engaged isn't fully represented. You'll just have to trust me, it's dramatic and gratifying.

 

Looks like a lot of fun! Glad you were able to work through all the "gotchas" and get it working.

 

Congrats on conquering the Columbia issues. I enjoy reading your thread, especially the pics. Thanks for the video. I wonder if you could shield your mic from the wind noise with a piece of foam, kinda Like they use on hand-held mics. Good job and enjoy those grands. Have they ridden in your speedster yet?
Al H