Hi there. I've just put the lid on my rebuild 46 (well, new bearings anyways) and I'd like to tack on the OD to finish the whole thing (and get it out of the basement). I have neumerous OD's, none of which I have ever tested. I will rebuild the OD but I need to know if there is possible mechanical or un-repairable stuff in the OD. I think my dad want's the workbench back, so please let me know. I have three OD's.

Rene

As far as I have been able to research, the planetary gear set is no longer available as a replacement part. I have never attempted to find the needle bearings for the planetary set. Never had a reason as I've never seen a planetary set damaged.

The "cone clutch" bearing is no longer manufactured but I did find a few on a local bearing supply houses shelf a few years back so grabbed them. I think I have two left. I haven't had a call for them so can not remember where in the spare parts for my two bricks they are located.

At minimum, before installing the OD back on the transmission, replace the actuating piston seals, and the pistons themselves if the solenoid had or has a diode across the terminals of the solenoid. The diode was discontinued around the time the short skirted pistons were upgraded. Without a serial number as to when the change was made, I key off the diode.

The two rear bearings can be heard if you spin the OD by hand or reach in and spin the cone clutch bearing. The cone clutch bearing is the only bearing that has to have the OD off the trans and apart to replace.

With three OD's, all you should need is the three gaskets and the new actuating piston seals at minimum to get you back on the road. All the other OD stuff can be accomplished in the car.

Duane

Thanks Duane. I should clarify that I don't need this transmission any time soon so I'm not on any critical rush. I will ask you for the complete seal set when the time comes. I was just afraid of rebuilding a "bad" OD. I'll check them out when I have a chance. Thanks again.

Rene

Cone clutches are available cheaply enough from

www.overdrive-repairs.co.uk

The most common mechanical failure in my experience are the Torrington bearings on the planetary gear pins. There are various cheap Chinese alternatives to a Torrington, but personally I'd only ever use the real thing. Planetary pins are available. There should be no significant rock on the 3 gears, movement up and down the axle is OK.

It depends really on how deep you want to get into the overdrive, most times just replacing the seals on the actuating pistons will make them work, they're awesomely reliable bits of kit.

Regards

Thanks peter, I'll check it out on all three OD's.

Rene

Rene-

Based on what I saw in my OD, the cone clutch seems like the most critical component which could wear out. I guess you can't really tell how the lining is unless you open it up, but you'll probably want to make sure that the friction surfaces all have plenty of wear left. (Then again, there's about a nickel-sized chunk missing from the lining in my OD and it works just fine. I didn't do anything about it because it would have cost me something like $400 to replace.) The only other thing that I can really think of is that I saw what looked like wear marks on the long studs on which the cone clutch slides. I'm inclined to think that that could eventually impede the movement of the cone clutch, but Duane will probably be along soon to give a difinitive answer to that. He knows a hell of a lot more about these things than I do. (Actually, he's the one who helped me pinpoint my OD problems about a year ago. He bet that it was the solenoid, which is what my mechanic told me was totally unlikely to be the problem! Everythig works great now.)

Enjoy the "new" tranny.

Tim