Electric overdrive help

[Texasstave]

Hello all!!
I've run into a little problem and thought I would run it by all the experts!!
I just installed a barg warner electric overdrive in my 60 F100, and the solenoid keeps killing the fuse. I'm no expert on reading wiring diagrams but, the schematic looks like there should not be continuity between the hot lead and the body. Is this correct?
The solenoid works but it gets hot and blows the fuse. I found a place local who says they might be able to rebuild it. Anybody ha e any ideas?
Thanks!!!!
Steve

[Donnie]

Steve, not really familiar with your application, but you are correct in that the hot lead should not contact the body anywhere...
How many wires are going into your solenoid.?
What was the original use of this trans? Do you know? Are you wanting to operate the OD with the throttle kickdown switch & all the OEM wigets, or with a toggle switch?..........Donnie

[Texasstave]

Thanks for the response!!
This trans originally came out of a late 50's ford car. I believe it's a t11. Could be wrong on that one though. I am running a kickdown switch and original setup with the exception of the wiring harness, which I just rewired with new ends according to wiring diagram I found on this website.
I have two wires coming out of my solenoid. One is power to the solenoid, the other is to complete the grounding circuit for when the kickdown is fully depressed. My system is functional, the problem is that once the solenoid is activated for a few seconds it, it blows the fuse.
I think you answered my question though. There should not be continuity from hot to the body. I found a place that sells reproduction solenoids for under 300. Peoe on eBay want up to 500 for NOS. not paying that!!
Steve

[Red Mercury]

I am not sure if this is going to help, but though I had best ask. Is the 50's overdrive solenoid a 6 volt solenoid and the 1960 F100 a 12 volt truck? I am not sure when the switch to 12 volt happened with Fords but that would definitely cause the solenoid to get hot and likely blow your fuse. I know nothing about those old overdrives BUT electrical stuff is my game.

[Donnie]

Good observation , RED..........that point got by me. The t11 has been around a while, I think that they were used into the 60's .........
but that leave some research for our man Texas.........again , nice catch........................donnie

[cowbay]

http://www.fordification.com/tech/overdrive.htm

This is a great link on fordification about your tranny which is most likely a t85n transmission with a r11 overdrive. I would check the wire going into the soleniod being that it could short. That is problem I had. You can also download the original manual http://www.1956goldenhawk.com/manuals/overdriv.pdf This is everything you will need to know. Good luck and keep us posted I will help in whatever I can

[cowbay]

BTW I love my overdive unit. Just a great piece of engineering which gives you a 30% reduction.

[Texasstave]

Hey fellas,
Thanks for all the input!! My solenoid is marked 12v on the cap, I guess this doesn't necessarily mean that it's a 12v unit. Somebody could've smashed the cap in transport and used a cap they had lying around. I put together the wiring harness and there are no shorts. ( yes I double checked them. I have been known to make mistakes,but it's only happened like twice!! Hahahahaha!!)
My new 12v solenoid arrived today! I will let you know what happens!!
Btw, it is a t85 with a r11 overdrive. I believe they installed these in ford trucks until around 1972 but definately until 1967.
Thanks again and ill let you all know what happens!!
Steve

[Texasstave]

Hey cowboy,
I hear ya!! I had one several years ago in a 54 ford!! I loved it!! So nice to cruise along with all the new cars at highway speeds without spinning 4000 rpms!!
I currently have a 1960 F100. It originally came with a Y-block (according to its vin code) and somewhere in its life someone installed a 223 6. Excellent motor but not enough power especially sitting in front of the 4 speed floor shift.
I found a good 292 and rebuilt it. Bored it .060 over, installed high compression heads and rockers, a mild street cam and topped it off with 500cfm edelbrock thunder carb!! It's a really torquey motor with a killer sound. Running 26" smithys through a duel exhaust with rams horns headers out of a F600!!
I found the overdrive with a rebuilt t85 and could not pass it up for the 300 I paid for it!! I was going to do a T5 conversion and had almost bought the conversion when I ran across the overdrive unit!!
Hopefully this repop solenoid does the trick!!

[Texasstave]

Bad news,
Installed the solenoid, works fine. No more fuse popping. Now the system won't drop into overdrive. If I ground the governor wire with the key on the relay clicks and the solenoid kicks out. Thought it might be that the governor contacts were dirty. Pulled the governor, cleaned it up, bench tested it with a drill. It works as it should. Speedometer gear worn? I don't know. For the time being I'm going to bypass the governor and install a switch to ground. Anybody have any ideas?
I don't currently have the speedo cable installed. Just it's housing. ( the old speedo cable was different from the new one) could this affect it? I wouldn't think so. The governor is driven off the same gear as the speedo cable.
Lemme know what ya think!
Steve