1955 engine died & coasted like in neutral | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1955 engine died & coasted like in neutral

Swamp Dweller

Swamp Dweller

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Thunderbird Year
1955
First trial run after lots of work. My engine quit and the car just kept coasting as if it were in neutral ! This has to be related to the overdrive system which is disconnected electrically and mechanically ( linkage is off) Does anyone know about this issue. There is no way you could push start the car.

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If the engine quits you will continue to coast. That’s normal. No you cannot push start an automatic transmission that I know of. It sounds like your car is operating normally except the engine doesn’t run. Dave
 
The early 1950s Ford Borg-Warner overdrive units are designed to freewheel when you coast, *****provided the overdrive handle (cable) is pushed in.****** This feature allows the car to coast on its own momentum without engine braking when you lift off the accelerator, aiding in fuel economy and facilitating smoother, clutchless gear changes.
Here is a breakdown of how the overdrive behaves:
  • When Coasting (under ~28-30 mph or not yet engaged): The transmission uses a one-way "sprag" clutch that allows the vehicle to freewheel (no engine braking).
  • When in Overdrive (above ~28-30 mph): Once the car accelerates and you momentarily lift off the gas, the unit "drops into" overdrive. In this state, it does not technically freewheel, but rather provides a higher gear ratio. While in overdrive, some engine braking is present, though it is not as strong as in direct drive.
  • Safety Warning: Never, under any circumstances, pull the overdrive lockout cable out while the car is in motion and coasting. You must be at a complete stop or under slight acceleration to avoid destroying the freewheeling mechanism.
*******If the overdrive is locked out (handle pulled out), the transmission operates as a standard three-speed and will not freewheel. **********
 
O.P. stated ‘overdrive’, not automatic. Sounds like the trans is freewheeling, and the O.D. was not locked out when disconnected mechanically. I believe disconnecting the governor & solenoid will leave it freewheeling continually otherwise. Can be an advantage though if you have a left foot injury, and trouble operating the clutch 😀.
 
DynoDan55 said:
O.P. stated ‘overdrive’, not automatic. Sounds like the trans is freewheeling, and the O.D. was not locked out when disconnected mechanically. I believe disconnecting the governor & solenoid will leave it freewheeling continually otherwise. Can be an advantage though if you have a left foot injury, and trouble operating the clutch 😀.
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i never got around to checking the position of the OD lever on the trans. Wondered the difference would be if I changed its position. Governor, solenoid and manual lever have been disconnected before I got the car. Still learning about the OD thing "thanks"
 
Swamp Dweller said:
i never got around to checking the position of the OD lever on the trans. Wondered the difference would be if I changed its position. Governor, solenoid and manual lever have been disconnected before I got the car. Still learning about the OD thing "thanks"
Click to expand...
Sounds like this

*******If the overdrive is locked out (handle pulled out), the transmission operates as a standard three-speed and will not freewheel. **********

would suggest that if you can find where the lever is to lock it out and set it to locked out you can ignore the whole OD setup for now and it will operate as a normal transmission.
 
Locking out the OD could be advantageous if you live in a mountainous area and need engine braking. Inner city dwellers may prefer freewheeling over 30 mph though, assuming a push start is never required. Either option will still buzz the motor at highways speeds, due to the lower ratio differential gear of OD equipped cars.
BTW: Welcome to the world of no-synchro 1st gear shifting 😀.
 
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