Technical How do you drive with Borg Warner overdrive?

Hey guys, I just bought a 51 with a 239 and OD... am confused on how to engage it lol I am a huge newb so I apologize in advance. The car has had the OD lever "In" since I bought it and I've been driving it like that ever since (about a month) is this position engaged? Or do I need to pull the lever out to engage the OD?

Thanks!

 

It should engage when the handle is left pushed in, the overdrive should engage after you get up to about 30 mph and let off the gas. At least, that's how it works when it's all working as designed. There are a lot of things that can go wrong!

also the overdrive will freewheel until the overdrive engages, when you're driving at low speeds.

Pulling out the lever should lock out the overdrive, it will not freewheel, and will not engage when you get up to speed. This is very useful when going down steep hills.

 

http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/trans/Borg-Warner Overdrive/index.htm
Read this manual, then read it again. Make three copies. Keep one at your bedside, one in your shop and the third copy keep in your vehicle. Reread the pages of this thread, it seems like no two people (I'm exaggerating) set it up and drive it the same way. The thing is a driver can really screw up this transmission by not reading and knowing what and what not to do with this fabulous transmission.

 

^^^^^ and a 4th copy by the throne for your morning reading. Once you understand how they were designed, and why so many manufacturers used them, and how they drive, do whatever you want. Those BW engineers knew what they were doing.

This is the same manual Cosmo linked, but it opens easier to read and print, at least on my browser.

http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/TechData/BWOverdriveManual.pdf

 

I've got 2 vehicles with the BW/OD, both came with it stock. 1965 Ford Country Sedan (Galaxie wagon) 390 4v, and a 69 GMC 1/2 ton, 350. By the time these two vehicles hit the showroom, the BW/OD days were almost over. 67 was the last year for the Ford car line, 72 for F-150s. For the GMC, as best I can tell, 69 was the last year it was offered.

Growing up dad had a 55 chevy 265 BW/OD, and mom had a 59 Rambler with the trans, so I grew up watching the dance. I've had the 65 Ford for 10 years, and the Jimmy for just 6 months.

It's a wonderful transmission. Once you learn how to drive it, you'll find you can drive all over town, rarely hitting the clutch, going in and out of 2nd gear and 2nd OD. I've gone cross country in the Ford, and its awesome to cruise at 75mph, floor it, jumping out of OD on a pass, then just let off and kick back into OD when you're around the slower car. I get 17mpg with the big 390 on the freeway, stock 3.25 gearset in the rear, while in OD.

I have my eye on a 53 merc Flathead with the BW/OD an acquaintance has that he wants to get rid of.

 

Those are pretty usably spaced ratios.

 

Driving with overdrive



Thanks-squirrel.

 

For the curious amongst us and especially those who wish to learn more about these overdrives...
The FORWARD page of THE BORG WARNER OVERDRIVE SERVICE MANUAL states:
"...as used on the following (14 Major Manufacturers) makes of cars. While the actual details of the construction may differ among the different makes and models, the essential working parts are similar, if not identical, and the information contained herein may be considered generally applicable to all cars equipped with these types of Overdrive Units."

In the process of rebuilding an early 60's Muncie 319 non synchro first gear version of this overdrive I was dissatisfied with the condition of a sun gear with planetary and actually bought internals of a transmission that was installed in a Checker automobile. The parts were identical and in better condition than the ones I had so I used them in my rebuild.

 

Video link won't work for me, I get this message:


Oops, something went wrong.

 

(the problem is that when you post a link to a video in youtube, you need to be looking at the video as the general public, not as one of your own videos)