262 with overdrive

airbrushguy

Hi,

I'm converting my '49 Super Six w/262 3sp overdrive to 12volt. I don't know what the yellow circled unit is in the attached picture and if it is part of my overdrive, what do I have to do to convert it?

Thanks

BillUSN1

There are a couple ways to convert.

I for now, chose a simple way.

I run my engine and fuel injection on 12v but I run a simple electronic voltage regulator I picked up on ebay to run all the rest of the car on 6v.

So all lights dash and OD are still all the original 6v and wiring.

When I strip it all down I will probably rewire with a new after market harness and then just run everything on 12v. Which means the OD servos will need to be replaced with 12v units or will still need a 6v regulator.

The articles I read on here about the 12v servos leads me to really consider just keeping mine 6v.

airbrushguy

So what is the thing in the photo?

Thanks

Ric West IN

Object in the pic is the Overdrive relay.  Starting in 1950 the relay was much smaller,.This style was used on 1948 and 49.  possibly earlier.

"Ric"

JasonNC

If you converting to 12 volts, you will want to replace that relay. Rewire your overdrive harness to match that of one from 1950 and beyond and replace that relay with one of the little black relays from Radio Shack.  There are diagrams out there to show you how it's done on previous posts on this website....

airbrushguy

Received this message from a member...now I'm getting confused.....It is a relay which controls the Overdrive.  Basically a switch.  It doesn't care if it's 6 or 12 volt.  I've converted my Hudson 8 to twelve volt and both the relay, the solenoid, and governor work fine ( for the last 15 years.)

Park_W

That comment would apply to the '50 and later OD relay, but is way off base for the '41-'49s.  The relay on these earlier ones is a very special critter, with multiple functions.  The one from '50 on is indeed just a common relay.

Some folks get away with running the original 6v devices on 12v indefinitely, but the risk of failure is always there, as you're asking the devices to accept 4 times more electrical power than they were designed for.  I don't care to push things that far, unless I never plan to take the car more than five miles from home!

I recommend you do as Jason says above . . . rewire the OD to the '50 and later arrangement, and use a simple 12v relay for that function.  This requires a different kickdown switch, with 4 terminals vs. 2, but they're at NAPA for less than $20.  And hang on to your '48-'49 solenoid . . . it has separate connections for its pull-in coil and hold-in coil, which allows you to put a voltage-reducing resistor in the circuit to the hold-in coil.  This is the coil that's energized any time you're above OD cut-in speed, so best to run it on 6v via the resistor.  The pull-in coil operates for just a brief moment, so can withstand 12v without much risk.

I've worked up some technical notes on 12v conversion.  Drop me an email and I'll send you a copy.  Email is hetpwald@comporium.net (drop the "het" for actual address).

Uncle Josh

I don't understand the want to go to 12V, unless you want to run air conditioning.  Just keep it in tune, and 6V works fine...as designed.

airbrushguy

AC, alternator,sound system, brighter lights, convenience of getting parts if broken down long way from home.