Finally got my Stude back on the road last Friday with a fresh 3.73 Dana 44 Twin Trac with Moser 1 Pc. axles, new leaf springs, shocks and the driveshaft rebuilt and balanced. On my second drive since everything was done my overdrive kacked. Sounds like something in the OD clutch ***embly came apart. The car jerked, shuddered and then there was a pop and some grinding that faded away as I coasted to the side of the road. I was able to take off again with no noise and the car is still driveable but my OD no longer functions. Anybody know of a source for parts beyond the basic gaskets and bearings? TIA.
Look around for George Ashe. No website, he does not do Internet, he has a phone #. He's in PA somewhere. He's the expert on Borg-Warner r-7 & r-10 overdrives.
How ya' been Dallas? LOL, it's got a nickname alright but not something I dare post, even here. Local trans shop thinks they have a source, supposed to let me know next week. It was needin' a new clutch anyway so I guess if it had to happen the timing was at least good. Got that fuel leak fixed while it was apart, the "new" filler hose was NOS and split due to age, got a new one made of modern materials. At least the gas tank was clean as a whistle inside, that was a pleasant surprise, I was expecting the worst. The fuel pump croaked on the test drive after the rearend swap so I replaced that and put on the 450 Holley I got from 'S****s'. Works perfect on the 289, much better than the Edelbrock. I've got a post over at SDC, haven't checked it today yet. I'm not so big on staying "original" and I could go the 5 speed route but it would take away from the feel of the car. I'm diggin' the 3 on the tree, brings back good ( and some not so good ) memories.
It sounds like you "smeared" the planetary gears. When the OD gets low on gear oil it overheats and melts the planetary gears. While you have it apart check the freewheel sprag for pitting. Its an easy fix. I've done it more than once in 44 years of driving overdrives. The planetary ge****t is common to Chevy, Ford, Mopar and Studebaker, but the best parts come out of old Rambler transes, light cars with no horsepower.
We have R10 parts in stock......primarily good used parts. I know we have planetary & sun gears, and freewheel cams (sprague clutches). Also stock new solenoids and relays. Our specialty is Ford trannies but these parts are common to all R10's.
I've never heard of the planetaries MELTING, they usually break the shafts they ride on. Could be heat causing the shafts to seize. In any case, once a shaft breaks and a planetary is loose in there, it jams in the drum gear. So OD is jammed and you have a straight three speed as if there were no OD at all, or OD was locked out. You will need a planetary gear set and the output shaft (drum gear is made onto the output shaft). Should be common to all, even the splines on the output shaft, but output length and splines may vary. I've only interchanged them a****st Rambler parts, which I had plenty of. Another thing that breaks the shaft in the planetaries is not cutting the ignition or using the clutch when dropping out of OD. If you have it straight wired with just power to the solenoid that's what happened. Just letting off the gas when you drop out of OD isn't enough, you MUST use the clutch unless you have the factory wiring that grounds out the coil when you push the kick-down ****on. Rambler uses a "ratchet" kick-down switch that cuts power to the solenoid and momentarily grounds the coil. Once the switch bottoms out it pops back up, you don't have to release it. That keeps the coil grounded for only 3-4 revs of the crank, not enough to notice. If there is any "pressure" on the input as the OD is unlocking inside (dropping out) it strains the planetary shafts. Eventually one breaks and you have the sounds you're getting now. If they break while driving down the road at a good speed it sounds like a shotgun going off under your feet! Guess how I know about that one...
Nope, it's got the factory wiring setup and was working properly right up to the last second. I was already in OD when it let go. I suspect it was low on lube. I didn't personally check the trans and OD, a friend did and I don't think he heard me say the OD had to be checked independent of the trans. My mistake for not doing it myself........ Good news though, I found a complete Stude unit 15 minutes from home! A co-worker and I were talking Studes and he mentioned his Dad was lifelong a Stude man and owned an Avanti. On a whim last week I asked him if he knew anybody that might have an OD. He said he's ask the old man because back in the 70's they had parted out 30 to 40 Studes when a new Interstate cut through their land where the cars were stored........ He came to work Monday and said his Dad had 2 or 3 that would fit my car and didn't normally sell stuff but would be willing to let one go for a fellow Stude guy. He said it will take him a few days to dig one out, they've been sitting for about 35 years but were all functional when pulled. Won't be back on the road in time for the Rust Revival though....
Yeah, lack of lube will do it! The internal parts on those things will still be good, just a dis***embly and good cleaning should be all they need. Your electric parts were working and will transfer over -- good deal all the way around!
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