OD operation for the beginner?

[bams50]

Finished welding the floors on the 60 Lark wgn. tonight (how-to with pics to come). Decided to take her for a spin- sitting on a wheel...

I've never had an OD before... tried it with the handle in, then out; didn't notice any difference...? She went to 65-70 mph easily both ways- didn't seem to be working too hard either way...

Is there something I need to do besides pull/push the handle? Which way is engaged- in or out?

In any case, LOVED finally getting a chance to take that first real spin after looking at it in the garage for 4 months [}]

Robert K. Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358680/1

[JDP]

Push it in, get up to about 30 MPH, let off the gas for a second, "click" you're in overdrive, floor it, should kick down. When stopped, pull the cable out, no OD. If you need to pull the cable out while moving, floor it while pulling the cable out.

64 Commander-64 Daytona
64 GT R2 clone-63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert-63
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander

[JDP]

Push it in, get up to about 30 MPH, let off the gas for a second, "click" you're in overdrive, floor it, should kick down. When stopped, pull the cable out, no OD. If you need to pull the cable out while moving, floor it while pulling the cable out.

64 Commander-64 Daytona
64 GT R2 clone-63 GT R2
63 Avanti R1
63 Daytona convert-63
63 Lark 2 door
62 Lark 2 door
60 Lark HT-60Hawk
59 3E truck
52 & 53 Starliner
51 Commander

[JDP]

Sorry, double post and the forum won't let me trash it.


Push it in, get up to about 30 MPH, ......................

JDP

[JDP]

Sorry, double post and the forum won't let me trash it.


Push it in, get up to about 30 MPH, ......................

JDP

[Roscomacaw]

Assuming it's functioning correctly and you live where it's relatively level, Robert, push the handle in while not in motion and leave it there. There's really no need for gladhanding that knob as a matter of everyday driving.
With it in, the engine should freewheel when you're moving below 30MPH and you let off the gas. Above roughtly 30MPH - if you let off the gas, you should FEEL the engine start to act as a dynamic brake - as would be with a straight standard shift engine.
I rarely pull the OD handle out for anything other than steep terrain. THERE, you WANT the engine's dynamic braking effect to help slow the vehicle while going down inclines.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Assuming it's functioning correctly and you live where it's relatively level, Robert, push the handle in while not in motion and leave it there. There's really no need for gladhanding that knob as a matter of everyday driving.
With it in, the engine should freewheel when you're moving below 30MPH and you let off the gas. Above roughtly 30MPH - if you let off the gas, you should FEEL the engine start to act as a dynamic brake - as would be with a straight standard shift engine.
I rarely pull the OD handle out for anything other than steep terrain. THERE, you WANT the engine's dynamic braking effect to help slow the vehicle while going down inclines.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[whacker]

Easy way to remember it, when the handle is in, you are in overdrive - when the handle is out, you are out of overdrive. It sounds like you have something not working in the overdrive unit. When you are in overdrive, you should freewheel when you take your foot off the gas in second or third. Overdrive does not engage in first, and when you shift to second you will be in second until you let up on the gas at over about 35 MPH. Then it will shift into second gear overdrive. When you shift to third, the same thing happens, you will be in third gear until you let up on the gas. When you press the pedal down, you will be in third gear overdrive. It sounds like your overdrive is not working properly. Look at the help page here:

http://www.ncsdc.com/TechnicalPages/Overdrive/Overdrive.htm

It's a great unit when you get used to it - a five speed tranny! Always remeber to put it in reverse when you park!

[whacker]

Easy way to remember it, when the handle is in, you are in overdrive - when the handle is out, you are out of overdrive. It sounds like you have something not working in the overdrive unit. When you are in overdrive, you should freewheel when you take your foot off the gas in second or third. Overdrive does not engage in first, and when you shift to second you will be in second until you let up on the gas at over about 35 MPH. Then it will shift into second gear overdrive. When you shift to third, the same thing happens, you will be in third gear until you let up on the gas. When you press the pedal down, you will be in third gear overdrive. It sounds like your overdrive is not working properly. Look at the help page here:

http://www.ncsdc.com/TechnicalPages/Overdrive/Overdrive.htm

It's a great unit when you get used to it - a five speed tranny! Always remeber to put it in reverse when you park!

[rockne10]

Running around town? Stop and go? Keep the handle out. At speeds below 40 there is no fuel advantage to using overdrive, and it will require excessive use of your brakes.
If you're running in third gear and anticipate cruising for a while, you can push the handle in, let up on the pedal and feel it slide in to overdrive. To drop back in to third tromp the pedal. When in third, you can pull the handle out to prevent overdrive. This is desirable just before cresting the top of a mountain, as you do not want to be freewheeling down the other side, excessive brakes again.
Do not attempt to pull the handle out when you are in overdrive. Always drop to third before pulling the handle out. Second gear over is a great way to enter a freeway. You'll get used to it and love it.
Do not park the car forward in overdrive unless you have a good parking brake. I like to exercise my cable to keep it from freezing up.

It does sound like yours isn't working. You should definitely feel the difference with the lockout in or out.

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[rockne10]

Running around town? Stop and go? Keep the handle out. At speeds below 40 there is no fuel advantage to using overdrive, and it will require excessive use of your brakes.
If you're running in third gear and anticipate cruising for a while, you can push the handle in, let up on the pedal and feel it slide in to overdrive. To drop back in to third tromp the pedal. When in third, you can pull the handle out to prevent overdrive. This is desirable just before cresting the top of a mountain, as you do not want to be freewheeling down the other side, excessive brakes again.
Do not attempt to pull the handle out when you are in overdrive. Always drop to third before pulling the handle out. Second gear over is a great way to enter a freeway. You'll get used to it and love it.
Do not park the car forward in overdrive unless you have a good parking brake. I like to exercise my cable to keep it from freezing up.

It does sound like yours isn't working. You should definitely feel the difference with the lockout in or out.

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[Dwain G.]

Most overdrive users just leave the cable pushed in all the time. BUT! You must get in the habit of always putting the shifter in reverse when you park. Start thinking of reverse as 'Park' position. In any other gear, the car is in free-wheeling when stopped. i.e. no compression braking.


Dwain G.

[Dwain G.]

Most overdrive users just leave the cable pushed in all the time. BUT! You must get in the habit of always putting the shifter in reverse when you park. Start thinking of reverse as 'Park' position. In any other gear, the car is in free-wheeling when stopped. i.e. no compression braking.


Dwain G.

[studeclunker]

All very true! Another thing to remember, if she stalls going up hill, yank that lever out immediately! Otherwise, it WILL roll backwards in gear!

I happen to live in the mountains. As such, there are a lot of roads that have a speed limit of 55 and a practical speed of 35 - 45. The practical speed is just a bit slow for third and too fast for second. Ah, but overdrive second is juuuust right in that range. I use my overdrive all the time. Not just for fuel savings. To save the motor and my nerves.


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[studeclunker]

All very true! Another thing to remember, if she stalls going up hill, yank that lever out immediately! Otherwise, it WILL roll backwards in gear!

I happen to live in the mountains. As such, there are a lot of roads that have a speed limit of 55 and a practical speed of 35 - 45. The practical speed is just a bit slow for third and too fast for second. Ah, but overdrive second is juuuust right in that range. I use my overdrive all the time. Not just for fuel savings. To save the motor and my nerves.


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?