Borg Warner R10G Overdrive Unit

[smitti]

I recently purchased a '47 Plymouth Special Deluxe that's been fitted with an R10G-1 overdrive (OD), according to the numbers on the side unit, which I have no familiarity.

1) Does anyone know what type of gear oil I need to put in the OD and the transmission?

2) Standard procedure for filling both of these (i.e., I've read the OD needs to be filled first, then the main transmission)?

3) Where to find general operating procedures to utilize the OD?

 

Thanks, Smitti

[P15-D24]

Check the Downloads section, Instructions, Manuals & Templates. Lots of info including factory manual. 

[Loren]

The spec is for an obsolete gear lube GL1.

You can use a modern lube such as Redline MTL. The latest specs are for LOW Viscosity lube. Low Viscosity lubes run cooler. NO more 90wt!

To clean the crud out of your new Overdrive, I would drain it and refill with ATF. Drive it a week then drain and refill with Redline MTL.

ATF has additives that remove the crud and make the inside Razor Clean. For my own Overdrive I use Redline D6 ATF all the time but it's really expensive.

There's two filler plugs on the side, fill them both, then recheck.

NEVER use anything with Extreme Pressure additives ( EP ) or Hypoid additives. The statements you hear about lubes attacking the metals in the Overdrive are just non-sense. The real reason is the Sprag Clutch ( otherwise known as a One-Way Clutch or Freewheel Clutch ) EP or Hypoid additives will make it slip.

[Saskwatch]

  On 4/3/2025 at 3:04 PM, smitti said:

 

3) Where to find general operating procedures to utilize the OD?

Expand  

I have found this booklet to be very helpful.

  You can find it several places, including fifth avenue internet garage 

   👍

Edited April 4 by Saskwatch
Spelling error

[smitti]

Thank you all for the information on the BW R-10.  Very helpful!

[greg g]

The abovereferenced manual is availble on this site's download section.

[smitti]

thanks Greg.

[sjaakslinger]

Short:

 

Overdrive cable pushed in: overdrive system is engaged. Pulled out: disengegaged. Normal 3 gear operation.

 

Engaged: drive. Shift to 2nd gear. No need to clutch! At around 30mph: take you foot off the accel. pedal. You should feel and hear a shift (small clunk). If so, od is active and the engine has less rpm. You have 3rd gear left (with od) for higher speeds.

 

With od active: floor the accel. pedal. The kickdown should work and shift down to 'normal gear'. 

 

Dennis

[James_Douglas]

I may add that if the fluid gets low in an OD transmission it will burn up needle bearings in the planet gears in a heartbeat. Check the trans lube level every quarter if you drive it a lot.  Know that there are ZERO rear replacements OD planet gears out there. One of these day, if I live long enough, I will look into re-machining the planet assembly to put new bearing into the gears and housing.

 

James