I have a friend who mentioned today that he had a 2 speed rear end, all rebuilt. I'm thinking about getting it from him for my up and coming Model A project. My original plan with it was to put a T5 behind my flathead and run it back to a banjo rear end. Now I'm thinking if I had the Columbia, I could run a 3 speed and keep it "traditional" still having a better high gear than what I started with. What are your experiences with overdrive rear ends? Like em, dont like em? Are they worth putting in?
Columbia rear ends are great to have if its work properly. They are worth having if you have everything need to operate the rear end . Since the Columbia is already rebuilt your ahead of the game already , controls are sometimes hard and expensive to come by but can usually found . Does your friend have them? What was your idea on drive train?
I don't know if he has the controls or not, I'm going to check it out tomorrow. I have a 59AB I pulled out of my '47 Ford. It's in really good shape. I have aluminum heads and a slingshot intake for it that I haven't put on yet. I've always run the flathead bone stock, should be interesting to see it woken up a bit.
Using the Columbia is certainly appealing, but it seems to me you first need to know what the ratios of the Columbia are before you can be sure it gets you where you want to be. Of course, tire size/diameter will be a factor too. Ray
I agree. I know very little about these rear ends. I gather there are many different combonations of ratios, or are there standard ratio making up just a handful of different ratios? Were they an aftermarket item, or was it an option from the factory? When did they start putting them in cars?
Columbias are expensive and i think they look like ***. Ive never used one but ive heard they are a pain in the *** (unless it works perfectly). For my money i would go with the t5 or there is the mitchel. I have a mitchel and it works great and i like the twin stick.
I realize it's just your opinion, but what an outrageous statement. So you're on a traditional hot rod site badmouthing Columbia 2-speed rear ends, but promulgating the use of non-traditional transmissions (T5)? The Columbias do NOT 'look like ***', you do for failing to actually ***ist him in his quest for information. Go kick a puppy if you're in a bad mood.
Well the original poster did ask if we liked them or not. As well as our experiances with overdrive rear ends. My experience with the mitchel is great as i imagine it would be with a good functioning columbia. Spliting gears is fun. I do think they look ugly. You know who didnt help at all? You.
I agree with propwash. The fellow ask for advice about parts . Please give the proper pros or cons . Please keep in mind no parts are prefect. We hotrodders are asking a lot out of parts that were made over 70 years ago and being rebuilt with available service parts that may lack the quality of the original.sooner or later being traditional will get the best of us.
The Columbia section does not contain the ring and pinion so the ratio of the rear that is installed in doesn't apply http://www.flatheadv8.org/columbia/columbia3.htm There was a company that you could get a Columbia "bullet proofed"
In 1950, my Dad bought a '34 5-window coupe fitted with a Columbia two-speed rearend, from used car dealer for 150 dollars. My guess would be that the prices of both '34 Ford coupes and the Columbia two-speed rearends have probably risen a bit since then though. Mart3406 ===============
I put COLUMBIA in my '32 Roadster with a '57 283 and a '39 Ford gearbox in '06 and wouldn't have it any other way. It makes the car both practical and cool. Mine is a '40 Ford 3.78 ring and pinion and I believe the overdrive is 28.5%, so over is 2.7. Cruising at 70 in over is about 2000 rpm with a 31" rear tire. Google Columbia and it will list a shop in Temecula, Ca. that can answer questions and provide parts.
I've been thinking T-5, as I have heard the columbias are pretty fragile?? I want/need a mid four ring and pinion, so I need an OD of some sort if I am going to make any long trips.
Had a '40 Ford sedan with a 303 Olds and '39 trans way back when and I remember spending lots of weekends pulling the rear apart and replacing parts, solenoid linkage was fragile. Axle keys sheared easy too. And it is ugly compared to the simplicity of the banjo ***embly. I think the T5 makes more sense for a daily driver setup, probably cheaper in the long run.
Probably a LOT cheaper, the Columbias look to be BIG $$$. And then you turn around and tear it up, not much fun...
Get in touch with Joe Longobardi in Temple City, Ca. (626) 287-1836. He makes the parts the rebuilders use. He also rebuilds Columbia's and will modify the axle housing for what ever width rear end you are using. Failure of axle keys has nothing to do with the Columbia. This is from worn hubs, worn axles or not getting the axle nut tight. I have had a Columbia in my '34 P.U. for more then 40 years now. I also installed a Columbia in my '32 Roadster with a built Flat Head. It has a lincoln rear end with 4.44 gears and the Columbia really works great. My Opinion, CW.
Are there any differences in years of columbias? I don't know much about the either. But I know where a couple are. The guy said both came out if 41 mercs. I have seen a few and read about them. But have never messed with any.
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