Overdrive for early '30s torque tube drive shift

[Rob Bogan]

I'm considering a overdrive for my '31 LaSalle.  There was a discussion 6 years ago about this.  Looked straight forward.  Couldn't contact those guys.  Anybody out there with experience and info?

Thanks.

[phildeville@cox.net]

Give these guys a call. I have seen their work on a '30 Cadillac & '29 LaSalle. It won't be cheap!

GEAR VENDORS, INC. 1717 North Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020
Toll Free 800-999-9555 • Telephone (619) 562-0060 • Fax (619) 562-1186

Phil

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I'm considering a overdrive for my '31 LaSalle.  There was a discussion 6 years ago about this.  Looked straight forward.  Couldn't contact those guys.  Anybody out there with experience and info?

Thanks.

Robert, as you go thru that process can you keep us posted....the good the bad and the not so good...

The overdrive and power steering conversions are of interest....

Mike

[Rob Bogan]

Will do.

[Rob Bogan]

Phil,

Thanks.  Heard about them.  Any guesstamate about the cost?

Rob

[Omarine]

Im interested too. I can tell you the stand alone gear splitter is almost $3k. Then labor and shorten drive shaft. I remeber something about 6 volt vs 12 volt...

[Rob Bogan]

Oscar,

Haven't called them yet.  But the $3k is probably a little low.  Big thing will be finding someone who can to the modification.  6V or 12V is not problem.  Waiting for the right time to spring project on the Mrs. LOL

I'll keep everyone posted.

Rob

[jackworstell]

We put a Borg Warner OD in our 1937 Buick series 40 which has a torque tube.

We are happy with the results

I think it might have these advantages over a GearVendor
    Reduces RPM by 30%  ...better than the GearVendor
    Keep system at 6V if you want or go to 12V  ( for actuating the solenoid )
    Free-wheeling feature below about   28mph
I'm a little hazy on these three points but I believe them to be accurate

Solenoids for the BW units are available in either 6V or 12V

BUT...the fellow who did the conversions....Lloyd Young  who lived in a town not far
from Columbus Ohio...is no longer with us.   I understand that a fellow
from about the same area has taken over the business...but for now
I can't find his name/address

In our instance we removed the  entire "pig"/torgue tube assembly and took it up to Lloyd
and then picked it up a couple weeks later.  We did the install ourselves

All  told about $2000.   Money well spent

Jack Worstell   jlwmaster@aol.com

[jackworstell]

About adding power steering....we did it for both our 1937 Buick and our 1937 Cadillac

Worked out pretty good....but not an easy thing to do

We used electric power steering units out of Equinox/Saturn cars ( used units )

Jack Worstell

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

About adding power steering....we did it for both our 1937 Buick and our 1937 Cadillac

Worked out pretty good....but not an easy thing to do

We used electric power steering units out of Equinox/Saturn cars ( used units )

Jack Worstell

Jack, how did you handle the 6 volt car to the 12 volt Saturn steering?

That whole electric setup is all tucked under the dash right?

Mike

[jackworstell]

Mike.....we separated the EPS into the two major components
             EPS ECM   went under the dash
             EPS   motor unit when in the engine compoartment

We did this because (a)   space in the engine compartment was limited  and (b)
we didn't want to put the ECM part in a hot environment

It is tedious to separate the two  components.....four short ( about 4")
small gauge ( 22 gauge ?)   have to be separated and
extended by maybe 20"

For 12V   we put a tractor battery in the engine compartment on the other side
from the EPS motor unit.   We keep it charged with one of those small converters
.....it only puts out maybe 5 amps   This is enough because even though
the ESP can pull as 40 amps briefly....the overall average current draw is
surprisingly low.

Jack   

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

Thanks Jack for the info...

Mike