Hey guys I just bought a 61 Fairlane with the factory 292 three on the tree and overdrive. But I cannot figure out how to engage the overdrive...hell to be honest I don’t even know if the right trans is behind the motor. What does it look like??? I’ve tried pulling the knob while in 3rd with and without the clutch engaged and nothing. I haven’t crawled under the car yet to inspect if everything and anything is there or hooked up. I really could use some help here because the car came with the 3.89 traction lock rear end and overdrive would be nice on long drives or highway runs. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
If it's all factory, and all the electrics are working. And when you look, the cable is hooked to an o/d transmission. As lumpy said, push the handle in. As in Hot Rod Lincoln. Get over 27-30 mph, second or third, and let off the gas. As the engine rpm falls, the o/d should drop in. Back on the power and go. When you let off the gas and coast, you'll have compression braking till 25 or so, then the o/d drops out and you freewheel. In o/d, parked, set the brake or use reverse, the car will roll forward. If it doesn't work, get the manual and go thru first the electrics and then the governor and solenoid. By then, you'll be back asking questions. It well worth it to get it working, kick down switch and all. Many were bypassed or clustered by guys not knowing what to do. There's many discussions here. I've owned them on and off since 1966, really sweet when you set them up as designed.
Overdrive works like a 2 speed axle in a truck. Handle under dash locks it out (standard 3 speed then) when PULLED - leave in for overdrive. When driving in 3rd over 35 mph lift foot off gas for a second, this is when it will shift into overdrive, then put your foot on gas normally, it will stay in overdrive and if you lift your foot off gas you will see you are "freewheeling" - no engine braking. To go back to 3rd gear (direct drive) slap gas pedal to floor and it should kick back down - there is a small metal switch button mounted under gas pedal. It will also shift down if you slow down to stop, a governor prevents engagement below about 32 mph. Unit is a "Borg-Warner Overdrive" (search for more info). Kick down operates a solenoid and they commonly stick but can easily be removed and cleaned. All overdrive components are in an extended tail shaft housing - transmission looks exactly like a stock 3 speed but few parts interchange. Great unit for gas mileage, ran them for years. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app[/QUOTE]
O.D.'s are great....back in the 60's had one in my '40 Chevy with SBC and 3 speed. Wired the solenoid up to a switch on the dash which gave me 1st gear, then hit the solenoid for 1st gear o.d., then 2nd gear, hit the switch for 2nd gear o.d., and finally 3rd plus o.d. Didn't go any faster but it was an early version of a poor man's six speed, lol.
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