OD Update (Lots of big photos - Dialup beware)

[James_Douglas]

I took out the DeSoto today for an extended city and highway drive. After days of trouble getting the linkage to work, I now have it operational.

I am not happy with the quality of the shifting as it feels much rougher than the M5 Semi-Automatic.

That said, the Overdrive works very well and I am very happy with it. Using the 3-speed with over drive and a fluid coupling in essence mimics the M5. The only difference is that you get 5 forward gears instead of 4.

The fast second gear seems to have been a good compromise as around San Francisco, i can take off in 2nd gear and with the OD stay in 2nd for most city driving. I am finding that 2nd OD is good to about 45 MPH.

The trans is very rough shifting into reverse and 2nd. However, if I shorten or lengthen the rail rod (the long one) by as much as a 1/8 inch in either direction I either get no revers/fist or it locks out all the gears.

All the electronics are working fine as is the lock out cable. On that note, I think that the supplied lockout cable is too hard to pull on and I will meassure it out and order a high quality push-pull cable so as to make it better for Sondra to use.

At 65 MPH I no longer listen to the engine at upper RPM.

Photos below. Thanks for everyones help, James

http://www.dacoglu.com/OD_lockout.jpg

[Don Coatney]

I took out the DeSoto today for an extended city and highway drive. After days of trouble getting the linkage to work, I now have it operational.

I am not happy with the quality of the shifting as it feels much rougher than the M5 Semi-Automatic.

That said, the Overdrive works very well and I am very happy with it. Using the 3-speed with over drive and a fluid coupling in essence mimics the M5. The only difference is that you get 5 forward gears instead of 4.

The fast second gear seems to have been a good compromise as around San Francisco, i can take off in 2nd gear and with the OD stay in 2nd for most city driving. I am finding that 2nd OD is good to about 45 MPH.

The trans is very rough shifting into reverse and 2nd. However, if I shorten or lengthen the rail rod (the long one) by as much as a 1/8 inch in either direction I either get no revers/fist or it locks out all the gears.

All the electronics are working fine as is the lock out cable. On that note, I think that the supplied lockout cable is too hard to pull on and I will meassure it out and order a high quality push-pull cable so as to make it better for Sondra to use.

At 65 MPH I no longer listen to the engine at upper RPM.

Photos below. Thanks for everyones help, James

Looks good James;

A couple more minor adjustments and you will be ready to drive to Tulsa.

[PatS....]

James, I'm not sure if I have read all your posts but is the rear shifter arm hitting the floor? Could that be some of the problem or have you already addressed that?

[James_Douglas]

James, I'm not sure if I have read all your posts but is the rear shifter arm hitting the floor? Could that be some of the problem or have you already addressed that?

Thanks, James