BobT-47P15 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 Where on the overdrive trans does it say whether it's 6 or 12 volts? On the solenoid? Or someplace else? One place says 6V parts won't work on a 12 unit. Which parts would that be - solenoid and what else? Copied from an ebay ad for a CD manual: This manual was written for mechanics and owners so they could understand how to use the overdrive, diagnose problems and repair the unit. If you do not know what you are doing during diagnosis you can damage the overdrive unit. You are bidding on a 16 page high resolution illustrated copy of the original illustrated Borg Warner Overdrive manual on cd in PDF format. This manual is for the R10 and R11 units and covers 1940's , 1950's and 1960's American cars built after WW II. It includes detailed repair instructions, a exploded view with identification of parts, 21 illustrations including wiring diagrams and a list of the different cars that used the unit that would be very helpful if you are trying to find parts. If you have one of these overdrive units you need this manual. The parts of the R10 and R11 do not interchange. Also parts from a 6 volt unit can not be used on a 12 volt unit and 12 volt unit parts cannot be used on a 6 volt unit. Thanks for any info. Quote
blueskies Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 My OD was 6v, and is now 12v... This manual is probably the very same one that I gave GTK for the downloads section of this site. You can get it there for free... The OD transmission is the same, to my knowledge, between the 6v and 12v versions, aside from the relay and solenoid. The governor and reverse lockout switch are not voltage dependent. Other than the solenoid, relay, reverse lockout switch, and governor, the OD is entirely mechanical and the voltage is irrelevant. The reverse lockout switch is just a switch, and the governor is a centifugal switch that cuts in and out with the speed of the rotating assembly. I replaced the 6v solenoid on my '55 R10 with a 12v unit, and it has been working fine for about 16,000 miles. I think this is another case of a mis-informed seller on ebay. Pete Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 are these parts marked similar to the generators and starters of the period...red label is 6 where green label is 12..? Quote
martybose Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 (edited) My OD was 6v, and is now 12v... This manual is probably the very same one that I gave GTK for the downloads section of this site. You can get it there for free...The OD transmission is the same, to my knowledge, between the 6v and 12v versions, aside from the relay and solenoid. The governor and reverse lockout switch are not voltage dependent. Other than the solenoid, relay, reverse lockout switch, and governor, the OD is entirely mechanical and the voltage is irrelevant. The reverse lockout switch is just a switch, and the governor is a centifugal switch that cuts in and out with the speed of the rotating assembly. I replaced the 6v solenoid on my '55 R10 with a 12v unit, and it has been working fine for about 16,000 miles. I think this is another case of a mis-informed seller on ebay. Pete My OD unit has all of the 6V components on it, and is working just fine on 12V. I had called Neil Riddle about getting a 12V solenoid, and he had said not to bother, that most of his customers are running 12V on the original 6V solenoid with no problems. I am not using any of the original or OEM relays; I redid the circuits using commercial relays sourced from McMaster-Carr. Works just fine! Marty Edited June 2, 2009 by martybose added info on relays Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 Copied from an ebay ad for a CD manual: If you do not know what you are doing during diagnosis you can damage the overdrive unit. Bob; If you dont know how to change a lightbulb you can damage the unit. I really hate it when sellers use scare tactics to make a sale. THUMP. THUMP. Off my soapbox now Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted June 2, 2009 Author Report Posted June 2, 2009 My point is, I need to check mine to determine if it was 6 or 12 volts when used by the previous owner. He may have converted his ol Plym to 12, but I did not know to ask that question several years ago when I bought the trans from him. It's been sitting in my garage since then, but the question has just lately been raised about voltage. My car, of course, is still 6V. I can see the 12V working the 6V parts OK. But don't know if it would go the opposite direction of 6V system working a 12V unit. Guess I should drag the thing out of the corner and look at it. I don't know what year car this tranny came out of....the engine is a 57 model that it was attached to. If tranny is also 57, is probably 12V. If older, might be 6. Another mystery. Quote
40phil41 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 Bob, My experience is that a 6V battery will not engage a 12V solenoid. Hence, remove the solenoid from the tranny and see if the shaft pops out using 6V. If not, then try 12V. Of course, it is also possible that your solenoid doesn't work at all Phil Quote
Young Ed Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 Bob the 57 OD was a totally different animal. Gotta be a 52-56. Quote
hkestes41 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Posted June 3, 2009 Bob, Check this link http://www.kaiserbill.com/Web-PDF/OD-Solenoid.pdf there is an explanation on testing the solenoid. You could test the solenoid with both a 6 and 12 volt battery. If it is a 12 volt solenoid it would be sluggish on the 6 volt battery. Quote
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