overdrive stepdown option

Unknown

Was hoping someone would be able to tell me what the overdrive option for the manual step downs comprised of and what is needed and entailed in doing a retro fit on one now. Does anyone have the required parts to do this? Thanks in advance for any advice which is much appreciated. Mine is a 53 Super Wasp.

Cheers Mike.

bob ward

Mike, retro fitting an OD is a straight bolt in exercise. You need to obtain a gearbox and overdrive combo, you can't unfortunately bolt an OD to your existing box. The combos are available in the US and to a lesser extent in Oz, there may be one or two in NZ, but as you know stepdowns were uncommon there.



The front tailshaft is shorter and should be available where you get the OD from, although you will be able to get your stock one shortened if need be.



The OD needs to go behind a 10" clutch, 9" clutches were fitted to non OD 232s, everything else had a 10" clutch.

Geoff

Mike, if your car is manual, as Bob says you will need the bigger clutch, which means the flywheel as well, and I doubt you will find a o/d transmission here in N.Z. If your car is automatic you will need a starter motor as well. Plus you will need the bowden cable control, kick-down switch, and relay. Good luck.

Unknown

Thanks for info guys, mine is the 262 manual, so does that mean bigger clutch is fitted ?

Geoff

Yes, it should have the 10" clutch. What year is your car? There were different rear end ratios, which may be an alternative for you, and easier.

Unknown

Hi Geoff,

Mine is a 53, rear end ratio change would sure be a lot more practicle as far as getting parts go.

Thanks Mike.

bob ward

Mike, seeing that your car is a US '53 model, it should have the Dana Spicer type 44 back axle as opposed to the earlier Hudson diff. The Dana diff was fitted to US cars from 52, and to export cars late in the 53 model run.



It is easy to pick which one is which, the Dana has a bolt on back cover, the Hudson has a welded back cover. Have a look which diff you have, the car could have had an axle change in the last 57 years. Being a non OD car the back axle will probably be a 4.11, but you'll need to actually check the ratio to be know what you have.



If you are thinking of changing ratios, the Dana 44 back axle is the one you want as it was widely used throughout the auto industry and may even still be in use. Ratios down as low as 3.07 are available, you can buy a new CW&P or find a set in a used diff.



With a 3 speed in hilly country or lots of steep driveways I don't know that I would go below a 3.50 back axle.



With an overdrive box, a 3.07 back axle is a good match.



If you do a search through the earlier posts you will find more info and opinions.

MikeWA

Just to add one more point- you will need to find a "two lever" transmission with overdrive- the '48- mid '50 (I think) were "one lever", and won't work with your shifter.



The transmission you find should have the overdrive solenoid already on it- but if not, you'll need one. I have several, by the way, as well as relays and kick-down switches, if you need any.

Unknown

bob ward wrote:

Mike, seeing that your car is a US '53 model, it should have the Dana Spicer type 44 back axle as opposed to the earlier Hudson diff. The Dana diff was fitted to US cars from 52, and to export cars late in the 53 model run.



It is easy to pick which one is which, the Dana has a bolt on back cover, the Hudson has a welded back cover. Have a look which diff you have, the car could have had an axle change in the last 57 years. Being a non OD car the back axle will probably be a 4.11, but you'll need to actually check the ratio to be know what you have.



If you are thinking of changing ratios, the Dana 44 back axle is the one you want as it was widely used throughout the auto industry and may even still be in use. Ratios down as low as 3.07 are available, you can buy a new CW&P or find a set in a used diff.



With a 3 speed in hilly country or lots of steep driveways I don't know that I would go below a 3.50 back axle.



With an overdrive box, a 3.07 back axle is a good match.



If you do a search through the earlier posts you will find more info and opinions.

Thanks Bob,

Yes it does have the bolt on rear cover, and I understand what you are saying about steep driveways/hills etc. I certainly wouldn't want to go too far. Thanks again will do some more research and let you know what I decide to do.

Regards Mike.

Unknown

Mike (WA) wrote:

Just to add one more point- you will need to find a "two lever" transmission with overdrive- the '48- mid '50 (I think) were "one lever", and won't work with your shifter.



The transmission you find should have the overdrive solenoid already on it- but if not, you'll need one. I have several, by the way, as well as relays and kick-down switches, if you need any.

Thanks Mike, appreciate the advice and offer.

[Deleted User]

Rocket88NZ wrote:

Thanks Bob,

Yes it does have the bolt on rear cover, and I understand what you are saying about steep driveways/hills etc. I certainly wouldn't want to go too far. Thanks again will do some more research and let you know what I decide to do.

Regards Mike.

Having a standard trans, you should go to the Hornet gear ratio. 3:08 and enjoy the highway travel and the extra gas mileage. In my Hornet I install a 2:73 gear ratio and can't tell the difference but got 2 more miles per gallon. If your engine is in good shape you will never notice any difference as when you have overdrive you have to kick it out to pass or up hills, here you do the same, shift to second and you can hit 55 with no problems. Walt.

Unknown

Thanks Walt,

I am putting a few miles on the car before I make a decide as I suspect the engine is a bit tired, will probably either give it a freshen up and ratio change at the same time or maybe look at fitting a rebuilt 308 engine. What are your thoughts?