I am new to the hobby. I recently purchased a 1950 Ford, mostly stock with typical hot rod mods to flathead engine and three on the tree with OD. Car is mostly in good shape I was able to drive it home 2000 miles from Dallas to NY. The OD has the cable and a toggle. No kickdown switch. Previous owner described it as two ways to turn OD on/off and reccomended to only use the cable. Seems to me that pushing in the cable results in OD being on for all gears and no engine braking at any speed. I didn't use the toggle on the way home because I didn't want to take chances. I believe the toggle was in the closed position. Not 100 % sure because when I got home I worked it with the key off and it was stiff and the handle broke. Any way I replaced it and with the key on but motor not running it does something. (I can hear the pitch change on the electric fuel pump when I open close the OD toggle.) So does this make sense? Have cable out in town and in reverse (no OD) If anticipate use of OD, stop push cable IN, toggle open Wait till in third gear close toggle for OD. Open toggle before slowing, stopping oe when wanting engine braking. Another question: how much play should there be in the steering when its in good shape? I have an inch eithe way when going stragt down the highway.
Check t this thread. It is about Mopar O/D but they were all Borg Warners and all work the same. http://p15-d24.com/topic/19298-od-article-hno-realy-or-switch-needed/?hl=toggle
There is a governor on the transmission that should be wired in series with your toggle switch. That way the OD shifts out at low speed, automatically. I ran one in a Chevy that way for years. Without the kickdown switch you have to let up the gas pedal for a second to let it shift down, the torque has to come off the gears before it will shift out of OD.
The Jalopy Journal
