splat1955 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I recently posted some pics of cars I found locally...one was a '50's something Chrysler NY'er...the other a '51 or '52 Cranbrook. Could either of these vehicles have come with the stock OD's? And if so, is there a way to tell without getting under the cars if they have the OD? Also, what gear ratio would I have in my '48 Dodge Custom 4 Dr...I haven't really looked to see if it's stamped anywhere on the diff but if someone can tell me where to look, I'm gonna be under there tomorrow and the next day. One more question....I've got the Fluid Drive trans....Is the OD & Fluid Drive a decent combo or is there more hassle having the Fluid Drive as opposed to the standard 3 speed.....regarding installation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Splat, the OD cars have a small handle usually to the left of the steering column, marked Overdrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat1955 Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Good question Shel.........do I want it......or, do I need it. Well, to be honest, I don't know. I think it sounds like a good idea, but I guess until I drive the car more, I shouldn't jump on getting an OD...but, I know once I am totally comfortable with the car to even drive it 100 miles, up here, it sounds like when I get out of the mountains up here (and to go anywhere, you really have to get off the mountain), I'd be driving on highways and freeways, and I would think that the improvement in MPG by dropping the RPM's 33% or so would have to be a plus. I'd really like to take it for a ride to my home town in Central Calif around spring...that's about 350 miles. By then, I hope to have all bugs worked out and maybe even some upgrades done. I guess before then, I should really get it driven on the local highways and see how badly I want to tackle installing an OD. I haven't even trouble shot the issues with the front end yet. That's tomorrow....I've been mocking up my front bumpers and getting them straight....and finding other things under the front to tighten or replace. Anyway, Yeah, at this point, I probably want one more than I need one......but if one of those cars has an OD....I'd bet it would be smart to pick it up if I can get it cheap enough, cause there's no saying how much longer those cars are going to be there. I think they have sold the property and are smashing most everything. I'd hate to see something like an OD ....or any usable part get gone before I have a chance to make an offer on it. You should have a 3.9 to 1 in your sedan. Question would be. Do you really want an O.D.? Or do you need an O.D. for your driving habits? My understanding is O.D.'s are good for highway rides. These pice should give you an idea of where to look. One marking forward of the fill plug on that flat area. Other spot may be on the top front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat1955 Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Okay Norm.......I'll take a look at these. How much of a pain is it to pull it all out, OD and everthing needed to have a complete unit...what's involved? Splat, the OD cars have a small handle usually to the left of the steering column, marked Overdrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 4 drive shaft bolts 4 tranny bolts some linkage and a cable to remove. almost the same as the standard 3spd. then you need teh OD cable and the underhood wiring stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 and should you get lucky and find one in a wrecking yard..be sure you also grab the speedo cable..it is a tad bit longer for the OD unit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 OD and tranny come out as a unit so you need to be able to get under there to do it. If a car is on the ground, flat tires, etc, you would need to get it well up on solid jackstands. The later OD that is supposedly the better one has R10 on the side. There's an R7 model from earlier years. See Blueskies site for info on both, because there are differences that Pete found the hard way. Besides the OD/trans unit, there's the control cable from the dash, and a relay under the hood, a kickdown switch on the carb or linkage, and the wiring harness that connects all of it. They're nice when they work, but not all of them work well, as you can tell by the posts on the forum. Lately I've been driving with a straight 3 speed and 4.10 rear gear. I've learned to keep it under 65 on the freeway, stay in the right lane and try not to spend too much time watching the mirrors as folks rush up behind me to pass at the last moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I will say its quite possible to do but not always the most fun. This is the last one we did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Brian, Next time you go out to the yard in Shingle Springs see if you can check out the rear end ratios. I'd be very interested in a complete rearend with 3.73 or 3.54 ratios. Reg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat1955 Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 No Problem Reg....which car do you expect one of those gear ratios to be in? I'll do my best to get a look. Hey Norm....So, there would be more of a chance that an OD unit would be in either the '50's Cranbrook or the '50s NY'er...correct? Not so much of a chance in the '46 - '48 Chrysler though....is that right? And thanks guys for the heads up on the speedo cable & and everything that needs to be unbolted. Brian,Next time you go out to the yard in Shingle Springs see if you can check out the rear end ratios. I'd be very interested in a complete rearend with 3.73 or 3.54 ratios. Reg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Just guessing but probably the latest model there. No Problem Reg....which car do you expect one of those gear ratios to be in? I'll do my best to get a look.Hey Norm....So, there would be more of a chance that an OD unit would be in either the '50's Cranbrook or the '50s NY'er...correct? Not so much of a chance in the '46 - '48 Chrysler though....is that right? And thanks guys for the heads up on the speedo cable & and everything that needs to be unbolted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I'd check them all. No telling what cars have been retrofitted over the years. Be sure to read all the good info on Blueskies site. There are some ODs out there that may look right but are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Belvedere Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 They're nice when they work, but not all of them work well, as you can tell by the posts on the forum. Lately I've been driving with a straight 3 speed and 4.10 rear gear. I've learned to keep it under 65 on the freeway, stay in the right lane and try not to spend too much time watching the mirrors as folks rush up behind me to pass at the last moment. That is the main reason I would like O.D., SoCal freeways when they are not inching along during rush hour, everyone drives like bats outa hell, even trucks in the slow lanes are doing 70mph+. Its a waste of time to look in your mirrors cause all you'll see is a Peterbilt grill and nothing else anyway. Out where my way there are so many gravel trucks on the road you have to be dodging rocks flying out dinging stainless, chipping paint and cracking windshields, if they get ahead of you. Trouble is,you can't hardley get around in So Cal without using the freeway at some point in the journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop138 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 If I remember correctly the yard I go to often has a OD in a 53 Ply and may have more--myself I am not interested in these units ---if you would like to check call F.L.A.P. 320-286-2560--ask for Floyd---Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Nice try French lake pulls all the overdrives the minute they come in and ships them off to 1 guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop138 Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Dodgepu---just trying to help---that last OD you pulled was that from the yard in Delano---to bad most of the cars there are almost gone now---even FLAP is getting thin---getting to much for scrap, pretty soon no more old bone yards left---where do you live in the Cities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 NE mpls Ya the last one was from delano. I haven't been to french lake since 06. I hope they arent crushing too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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