1955 TBird with electric overdrive

[Freoway]

Hi fellas. Last year I purchased a 1955 Tbird (manual with electric overdrive). I've only recently got it registered after some mechanical and body repairs. My overdrive is not connected up. It has an underdash cable actuator and numerous unconnected wires disconnected under the car that don't go anywhere (I think someone had a go at rewiring and gave up). I understand that the car has to be doing 27mph for the circuit to be made by the governor switch. There's a huge solenoid off the side of the gearbox with two wires (light green and red) - also disconnected. I do have a circuit diagram in a 1955 Ford workshop manual. It indicates that there is a kickdown switch with four wires going to it. I believe that should be under the accelerator pedal. I understand that the vehicle stays in direct drive until the governor senses the speed is above 27mph and as long as the underdash cable is pushed in, it should go into overdrive. I don't have a good understanding of the electrics, except that the governor permits the solenoid to switch into overdrive, but I'm not sure how. There are relays somewhere, but I'm not sure where those are either. Is it only one relay? Any help gratefully appreciated. Cheers, Lloyd

 

[Freoway]

Think I nutted it out. Found an excellent reference: The Borg-Warner Overdrive Transmission Explained- FORDification.com All I need is a kickdown switch and a relay and I'll be fine. It all makes sense after a good read. Cheers, Lloyd

 

[gbhrps]

Freoway,

I don't know, but is it possible that the kick down switch could be on the engine side of the firewall, on the linkage to the carb kick down?

I only suggest this as I can't picture any place on the inside of the car where a kick down switch would go. Good Luck getting it all squared out!

I'd think a small bird in Au is pretty rare?

Gene

 

[paul2748]

The kick down switch is mounted on the firewall under the gas pedal and extends into the car.

Freoway,

I don't know, but is it possible that the kick down switch could be on the engine side of the firewall, on the linkage to the carb kick down?

I only suggest this as I can't picture any place on the inside of the car where a kick down switch would go. Good Luck getting it all squared out!

I'd think a small bird in Au is pretty rare?

Gene

 

[paul2748]

i should have said that the kickdown switch mounts on the engine side of the firewall and extends to the inside