Model A Overdrive

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Synronized model A OVERDRIVE TRANNY ON EBAY, special unit , one of those things you never hear of. ---Item # 320184675715

Comments

  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    I wonder what he is using for a donor trans?

    Here the thread.



    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle%3D320184675715%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=320184675715
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    If he took that out just to try to win a trophy he may have had it cast !! Dunno, might ask him where that thing came from
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    OK, I did, thinks it's a mid 80's ranger, got a tag on it but he has'nt given me the number yet. Look familiar to anyone ? It's Got an adapter plate to the bell houseing , if that's so he's allready got twice what it's worth for it !!
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    'Just a Thought' Regarding Overdrive



    Mitchell Mfg in Colusa Ca. 800 859 2088 makes a Unit for Model A's & flatheads. Mitchell used to make Overdrives for Trucks up to 30000 GVW until Electronic Transmissions hit the Market.



    Mitchell MFG wanted no part of computer program shifting so they began making overdrives for Antique's but probably could be easilyadapted to Hudson's with splasher motors to slow down RPM's on the thruways....If anyone interested check them out online ...
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    OL racer, that name sure sounds familiar, they may be one of the companys that was makeing the what I call a stand alone unit way back when, maybe they still do, Worth checkin on.
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    I am not sure that Mitchell Mfg has a on-line presence, but this site has lot of good infomation. That In-line Overdrive has possibilities.



    http://www.model-a-autoparts.co.nz/overdriver.php
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    I have not seen a Model A with this unit fitted, but the enclosed torque tube type would hard to adapt to an open drive shaft. But hey look at that price - they are giving them away!!!!!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The pics on the website above shows the o/d built into the torque tube. I think Gear Vendors used the same arrangement for torque tube cars.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Yeah, that in-line OD looks like a fine set up, and in my opinion is the WAY TO GO! What they've done here tho is made them just for model A's because of demand. The same deal could be made to use in open tube but would probably have to be sorta universal to keep cost down and leave mounting requirements up to the buyer and I can see where they might hesitate on that as improper mounting would cause failure, they'd have to have a dissclaimer on that to stay out of trouble themselves, but I bet they could sell a BUNCH of them if they did it. It would solve about everyones gearing probs on any car out here. End result 6 gears? I SAY BRING IT ON MITCHELL !!
  • Ol racer
    Ol racer Senior Contributor
    FYI

    Mitchell Gear Mfg first made strong Universal Overdrive Units very similar to US Gear & Gear Vendor Units that bolted directly to the back of the transmissions. I seen one on EBay then called Mitchell to inquire. They said left the RV Market to concentrate on Antiques only and could probably easilty adapt Units to a Hudson gearbox.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Did a bit of research on the net, they make them for ALL the torque tube Fords, if you got the bucks you can get one for $2000.00 and enough left to buy coffee {1 cup }
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Several Model A Owners Here In Cal Used The Volvo Overdrive On Some Of There Cars. Dont Know Specifics But They All Do A Lot Of Tours With Them
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    OL RACER, that's what I thoght, wasn't sure, when I get time from sorting out all this good info and options gonna see what they say. BILL A. yes, I know about those laycock units, think what most are doing is adapting the whole tranny. I don't want to give up the elect. shift/ vacume clutch, got some of those parts from some dude called BILL A, !! Enough machine work will put the laycock on anything, ditto on the Mitchell, the Mitchell is far more durable and trouble free.
  • ESSX28-1
    ESSX28-1 Senior Contributor
    bill a wrote:
    Several Model A Owners Here In Cal Used The Volvo Overdrive On Some Of There Cars. Dont Know Specifics But They All Do A Lot Of Tours With Them

    Several guys here have fitted the Laycock O/D from the UK Triumph 2500 (& Volvo) to their Essex's. It's quite a lot of work but the final result works well. Main prob is the 12 volt solenoid if your car is still 6v. One solution was a 12v battery to power the solenoid only while others have converted the O/D to cable operated.

    I may be able to borrow plans/photos if wanted.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Still open to ALL options, new things keep popin up. The laycocks a lot of times turn up very,very reasonable. Everything is always a cost/work/ benifit situation for most of us, not all can send it out out and say, Fix this darn thing and send me the bill. Can send by email in my Profile if you'd like,sometimes hard to get stuff on here. { don't try bumpin me oughta my job while your in there , got seniority }}
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    ESSX28-1 wrote:
    Several guys here have fitted the Laycock O/D from the UK Triumph 2500 (& Volvo) to their Essex's. It's quite a lot of work but the final result works well. Main prob is the 12 volt solenoid if your car is still 6v. One solution was a 12v battery to power the solenoid only while others have converted the O/D to cable operated.

    I may be able to borrow plans/photos if wanted.



    It would be great if you could get some info this swap.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    ESSX28-1 wrote: »
    Several guys here have fitted the Laycock O/D from the UK Triumph 2500 (& Volvo) to their Essex's. It's quite a lot of work but the final result works well. Main prob is the 12 volt solenoid if your car is still 6v. One solution was a 12v battery to power the solenoid only while others have converted the O/D to cable operated.





    Main drawback with this is the added complication of servicing. I have worked on one of these cars, and what would have normally taken me 4 hours (to replace the clutch) took me three days. The complication of an extra cross member, shortened drive shaft, modified chassis, etc. etc. makes things very tight, and causes a lot of extra work. I geared my '28 Essex up 20% by changing the rear end 25 years ago, and haven't yet found a hill it still couldn't climb. I even tow my caravan behind it. The 3.5 rear end for a '30's model is definitely the way to go for simplicity. One guy in Australia has fitted a Gemini five-speed transmission to a '27 Essex, and again this involves quite extensive engineering. If you have access to engineering facilities, and a tame machinist to do the work cheap, then go for it, otherwise KISS (Keep-it simple, stupid).

    Geoff.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Geoff's got the right answer here - KISS- which is my objective , to find the way that is simple and affordable to all, not to proove you can do what can't be done, and there has certainly been enough options to pick out what is available for about any certain guy. For those where cost is not a factor I would recomend getting in touch with Mitchell, that's a good sturdy unit that works slick and will handle even the big engines and give you gear selections up the gazzoo,no end to top speed with the big engines and they have the ability to put that thing on ANYTHING, you could likely get them to mount it to the rear end even where a lot of cutting would not be done and not destroy originality.
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