12v OD conversion?

I am converting a 1950 Mercury to 12v. The lights and all are easy, but I have questions about the Over Drive. I have the little book everyone recommends about making the 6v to 12v conversion, but I need more detail.

I took the transmission to a local shop. They are going through it replacing seals and gaskets. It was working fine when I pulled it, but it is leaky. The OD didn't work when I took possession of the car. Anyway, I also have a new wiring kit for the electric overdrive from Eckler's coming so I can replace the wires on the OD. The wiring on the car was screwed up like a soup sandwich.

Now I need to get a 12v OD? or can I reconfigure the one I have to save the bucks? I understand Borg Warner made all the ODs for the car makers back in the day. I know I can get a 12v OD from other cars in the mid to late '50s, but I also understand it may not fit my application--something about the length of the shaft and such.

I will need a 12v kick down switch as well I suppose? My original plan was to change out the whole transmission, but now I am going back with the original so all these details matter now.

Please advise.

 

Don't ,think the switch will care either way. I'd try a voltage drop for the unit.

 

There are 12V solenoids available. The switch does not care about 6 or 12 Volts it's an on off function. You will need a cable to pull to activate the overdrive. There is also a governor switch that wires in series with the solenoid , It will also work on 12V.

 

Do a search for 12V solenoid. Find one with the correct length. There are only about 3 or 4 lengths

 

My Buddy's been running a 6V OD on 12 volts for 15 years now with no problem.

 

I spoke with my local transmission shop this morning. They basically said the same thing. Rock on! I can take "yes" for an answer.

 

Yes, as previously mentioned, the kickdown switch and governor switch don't care about voltage.

This is new and interesting information. I've never been sufficiently brave enough to try extended use of a 6V solenoid on 12V, but maybe next I need a solenoid. They've gotten crazy expensive. I see vendors asking $200.

jack vines

 

If you run your 6V solenoid on 12 volts and it eventually dies, you would have been buying a 12 volt solenoid anyway, you just extended the time of purchase.

 

lincolns, packards, chevy trucks from the late 50's and almost every convertible and station wagon had the longer shaft... the rest of the 12v solenoids will work for you

 

Laydrag just did this same modification on a 51. Hit him up here on the HAMB.


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