3-speed borg-warner overdrive and electronic ignition issues

[curvedglass]

Trying to re-search through the threads on this board. Somewhere I read that the three speed overdrive wiring cuts out power to the ignition for a brief second or two to release a sprag or something along those lines. Also read that you can't do that with HEI ignition.

Has anyone done a work around for this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I bought one back in the summer and it is my winter project. However if I can't get this figured out it may be back up for sale.

[jtrichard]

To use with HEI you need to use the wire that goes to the distributor to operate a relay to shut off the main power to the HEI. When the trans drops out of OD the relay will drop out and will repower the HEI the same as as happened with the old distributor.

[curvedglass]

thanx for the info.

Any info on relay type, size, electrical specs?

I do a lot of my own work however car electronics and house electric are my kriptonite

[jtrichard]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-VOLT-RELA...gAAOSwGvhT65~W

Connect #30 and 85 to HEI lead from ING. switch and 87 to HEI distributor and 86 to OD ing. coil wire

[1restorick]

If you are interested in a performance mod, you could use an MDS 6A box and hook the trigger wire from this unit to the overdrive. My truck has been set up this way since 1989. It drops the ignition very clean and quick to allow for O/D engagement.

Rick

[curvedglass]

Originally Posted by 1restorick

If you are interested in a performance mod, you could use an MDS 6A box and hook the trigger wire from this unit to the overdrive. My truck has been set up this way since 1989. It drops the ignition very clean and quick to allow for O/D engagement.

Rick

Are you running this on a v-8 or a straight 6? I am running a 230 with a weber 2bbl with an adaptor on the stock manifold and an ebay hei

[1restorick]

I am running this on a V8. It would work the same. MSD sells a capacitive spark discharge box that replaces the operation of the HEI module in the distributor. Basically the trigger in the distributor signals the box to discharge. The benefits are a series of sparks vs. a single event. At lower rpms it allows for a better burn and often more complete combustion. The box also has a two wire mag trigger plug on the side that is typically used for a separate mag trigger or with the older MSD brand distributors. One of these wires, I am quite sure it is the violet one can be used to interrupt the ignition completely. The MSD tech folks knew all about it from some marine applications where transmission shifts could not be made under load. I realize that this will cost some extra money, but you will have a very reliable ignition system and clean operation of your overdrive. I hope that this is helpful. Here is a link to a new version (now digital) of the box that I purchased:

https://www.msdperformance.com/produ...rip/parts/6201

I would suggest you call their tech line. They have been real leaders in ignition products.
Thanks,
Rick

[curvedglass]

Thanks for all the details. I will definitely look in to this. I understand the value of good ignition. I don't mind the price if it is going to give me better reliability.

I drive this truck as often as possible on avg of 15k a year. 80 miles a day. My daily driver until the first salting of the roads. I converted to pwr front disc and have fr/r sway bars too. My reason for the OD upgrade is so I can go back to 3.73's. Previous owner put in 3.08's which is great on the highway for 70 but most of my driving is back roads, curves, and hills but the truck is a dog.

I have 6 cars in my fleet and I tell people my 63 is the most dependable and I would like to keep it that way. (My 02 Jeep has electrical issues too but that is for the Jeep boards!!)

[curvedglass]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-VOLT-RELA...gAAOSwGvhT65~W

Connect #30 and 85 to HEI lead from ING. switch and 87 to HEI distributor and 86 to OD ing. coil wire

thank you!

[NCD1966]

I'm glad this was brought up. I am running a HEI also didnt know about this.

Thanks

[CRUZN66]

I just finished installing my 3-speed M319 Muncie overdrive on a 283 with HEI, below is how I wired it and I don't have anything wired to the distributor. All I have to do is let off the throttle momentarily and it kicks into overdrive as long as I'm going 30 mph or better. Also I'm running 4:11 gears and at 2000 rpm in 3rd gear I'm doing about 60 mph and in overdrive it's about 70 mph. (Thanks to all those that have previously posted the wiring info in various posts that I was able to consolidate into mine.)

Rope

[NCD1966]

Thanks CRUZN66 for that information.

Maybe I can finally get my OD working.


also where did you find that OD lever?

I have one similar but its mainly for a choke on a tractor

[CRUZN66]

Originally Posted by NCD1966

also where did you find that OD lever?

I have one similar but its mainly for a choke on a tractor

http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.co...rive_parts.php

[Vortech]

Question, my governor does not go to ground. I have it temporarily set up directly to ground, but would like to fix the governor grounding issue. Does it just unscrew out of the transmission housing? I'd like to remove it, clean it up and see if I can sort out the grounding issue.

[jtrichard]

YES page 12 #37c http://www.studebakerclubs.com/North.../Overdrive.pdf

[CRUZN66]

Originally Posted by CRUZN66

Also I'm running 4:11 gears and at 2000 rpm in 3rd gear I'm doing about 60 mph and in overdrive it's about 70 mph.

Edit: Drove it to Las Vegas yesterday and here are better actual values, at 2750 rpm in 3rd gear I'm doing 65 mph and in overdrive it's 1900 rpm at 65 mph. What a joy it was cruising.

[Vortech]

Thanks, I'll attempt when the whether clears.

[curvedglass]

Originally Posted by CRUZN66

I just finished installing my 3-speed M319 Muncie overdrive on a 283 with HEI, below is how I wired it and I don't have anything wired to the distributor. All I have to do is let off the throttle momentarily and it kicks into overdrive as long as I'm going 30 mph or better. Also I'm running 4:11 gears and at 2000 rpm in 3rd gear I'm doing about 60 mph and in overdrive it's about 70 mph. (Thanks to all those that have previously posted the wiring info in various posts that I was able to consolidate into mine.)

Rope

So this is your only wiring harness? If so this is cool.

I broke out the harness I got with the tranny over the weekend and couldn't make out where things went. there was a four terminal plug that looks like it was part of a firewall bulkhead connection.

[CRUZN66]

Originally Posted by curvedglass

So this is your only wiring harness? If so this is cool.

I broke out the harness I got with the tranny over the weekend and couldn't make out where things went. there was a four terminal plug that looks like it was part of a firewall bulkhead connection.

Yes, that is the only wiring I used. I didn't have any of the original wiring to work with so I created it from scratch per my instructions listed above which I developed from all the other threads I could sort through.

Rope

[curvedglass]

Originally Posted by CRUZN66

Yes, that is the only wiring I used. I didn't have any of the original wiring to work with so I created it from scratch per my instructions listed above which I developed from all the other threads I could sort through.

Rope

Great - thanx for the shout back. The old harness is real brittle. Best to use fresh stuff all around. I think I will get the trans in the truck and working as a three speed then get the OD working.

thanks again.