I have been told that there was/is a later overdrive unit adapted to the model T. This was done in California. Can anybody give me more information on such an overdrive unit?
It uses a Laycock overdrive as found in 70s Volvos and is activated by a solenoid. Works with 6 or 12 volt.
See this newsletter
http://www.foothillsmodeltfordclub.com/newsletters/Foothills%20Newsletter%202007 %2005.pdf
Last I checked with the Bakersfield guys a couple of years ago, they were backordered about a year, and the price was over $1K. Dunno who to contact. Combine that with a 10 tooth pinion, and you have a pretty good combo.
As well as the above, there have been a number of other modern O/D adapted to the T driveline. I really like my BorgWarner R10G, from a 60s Mopar, except it's heavier than it needs to be. I also have a Rambler 3 spd with O/D that is even heavier, which I've never used. For my use, a simple O/D is good.
Wheel brakes are imperative, of course.
Slightly OT, for giggles the other day, I checked my taurus and in overdrive it registered 1800 RPM at 50 mph. Real close to our 2000 rpm at 50 mph.
this set-up is a volvo overdrive I believe, and Bill Chalmers makes them in Canada
When I checked last year, there were a couple people that were doing Laycock overdrives. Definitely not period, but small and unobtrusive, always engaged (no neutral) and shifts with the flip of a switch. Combined with a 10 tooth pinion should give you all the gears you need for touring.
http://maximum--overdrive.com/
If anyone is interested, my friend has one of those in-line Volvo overdrive set-ups for sale. I don't believe it was ever used. I have no interest in its sale, just letting you all know, if you're looking for one. PM me.
Here is a picture of a Laycock - Volvo setup
John, anybody... Goggle was no help to me on locating a Canadian Bill Chalmers in the overdrive biz.
Is there any contact info for this fellow?
The Laycock is a slick unit. I use it in tandem with a Ruckstell and stock rear end gears. It is the finest combination I have found, and I have tried many. I can use the Laycock to split the Ruckstell gear spread, giving me an ideal ratio in any situation. The Laycock makes no noise and can be up or down shifted at full throttle.
I get mine from Rich Little and Mickey Gustavson out of Bakersfield. They have a long waiting list.
Lately I had a chance to drive a 15 touring car with a modern Warford transmission. I really liked it. It has an underdrive, direct, and overdrive. It can be shifted easily and securely and will go into any gear without hesitation. It also has a neutral that is helpful for starting the car with the hand crank. No chance of getting stuck in neutral while driving.
Neil
Thy the HCCA roster, I do not have it at work, but someone might have it handy
This might be the guy? He has a 1905 Northern, so he's interested in old cars anyway; http://411.ca/person/profile/28211481?qid=1350653490.3246&source=person&rank=1
Thanks Roger, that is the fellow. I talked to him this morning, he provides a replacement driveshaft tube with overdrive unit, 10-tooth pinion, and replacement spool with taper roller bearings and adjusting shims.
There is NO transmission brake in O/D (freewheeling) so good accessory brakes are a must. The transmission brake does work normally in direct drive.
He is out of stock now until he gets more donor overdrives, package price is $2,200 Cdn.
I didn't know that about the freewheeling of the Laycock. Makes me think most here have never driven the US OD.
The BorgWarner OD, almost universal in US cars, has three modes:
Direct Drive - freewheeling locked out
Freewheeling - power but no braking; engaged/disengaged by a handle.
Overdrive - power and braking; pre-engaged by a speed sensor, about 30 mph. Engagement occurs when car speed is above 30, and exceeds engine speed, even momentarily.
Normal op is freewheeling, with OD initiated by the driver lifting his foot off the gas momentarily above 30. It will then remain in OD until car speed gets below 30 again. Kickdown for passing is by a WOT switch that disengages the OD.
I used to have a toggle switch instead of the speed sensor, but I really like the speed sensor. It's one less doodad in the cabin. I haven't found much need for a kickdown switch, either.
I have more info if anybody has a need.
rdr
Note: this is a planetary, in keeping with the Model T.
Anyone here especially knowledgeable regarding the "Planetor" 2 speed Driveshaft? Now and then I'll see one at a swap meet or on Ebay, but have heard not heard comments around the performance or other attributes of these. Key questions would be reliability, specifically whether these units have shifting and/or neutral issues?
Regards,
Scott
I have used the Laycock overdrives a lot in Triumph sports cars. The late model Volvos use the same J type model as the late model TR6. All of the models I'm familiar with are not freewheeling in overdrive unless it has been modified in some way. They do have the restriction that you must not try to reverse in overdrive or you will destroy a unidirectional clutch. Most applications have switches which govern which gears the overdrive can be used in.