VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1937-'39 No-Rol Device

I have obtained a "No-Rol Device" for '37-'39 Chevrolets. I would like to get a copy of the installation instructions, if anyone who might have them would be willing to copy & email them to me. It would be greatly appreciated and I would be more than willing to pay expenses.
Thanks very much,
-Bob

Just curious. What is a no-rol device?

Suppose you are driving up a street and have to stop for a stoplight on an incline. Here you sit with one foot on the brake and the other on the clutch as the car is in gear. The light changes and you take your foot off the brake and reach for the throttle. You stumble a bit and roll back. The guy behind you which had pulled up withing inches of your rear bumper lays down on the horn. In frustration you either kill the engine or grab for the brake pedal again. I think you get the picture.

Now your car is eguipped with a "No-roll-device". You pull up to the same stop. The device locks the brake on even when you remove your foot from the brake pedal. The light changes and as you press the clutch pedal the brake is unlocked. You already had your foot on the accelerator. You give it some throttle and away you go.

For some reason they were never very popular. It may have intimidated the driver or they didn't think they could learn to drive it. You can still find the kits in NOS state even today.

Ok I get it. I thought you were talking about a suspension part to control the roll of the body.

http://www.experts123.com/q/what-is-a-negative-roll-suspension-system.html

In Tennessee we call no rol a "hill holder"

I thought you was jiving us about the device. Sounds like it might be a winner!


BTW: In Kentucky ,We call a anti-rollback device a rock!

When I was taking driver's ed way too long ago, during the part of the course where we drove a standard transmission car, we learned how to start on a hill using the parking brake to hold the car while bringing the revs up a bit and letting the clutch out to the friction point. Release the parking brake and on you go.

Years ago I had a real nice 1952 Studebaker 4 door Land Cruiser with a V-8 three speed overdrive. It had a factory option "hill holder" clutch that allowed the driver to pull up to a stop on an uphill incline, depress the clutch pedal, apply the brakes, and when stopped the brake pedal could be released while the car stayed stationary. As you applied the gas pedal the brakes would release as the clutch pedal let out. This worked like a charm and all the ladies would think I was an incredibly skillful driver. The ladies loved to ride in the Studie and I loved to have them along. The car also had and automatic kick down to third when in over drive and the gas pedal was pushed down.
BTW, Bob please let us know how the hill holder install turns out.

The GM No-rol and the Studebaker Hillolder are the same. They were made by Bendix or Wagner if I remember correctly.
My father had one installed on our 1942 so my mother could drive.
I have one on my present 1939.
It was very common to find one on a Studebaker and very unusual to find one on a GM car.

I havce the instructions. Send me your email address

Subaru now have "hill start assist" (on manual gearbox cars) which is the same thing and seems to work well. I didnt realize it had a history that long.

Tony

Ray,

With the holder, I think you meant to say "release" the clutch rather than "press" it when the light turns green. Just nitpicking you a little. Otherwise, a good clear explanation of the device, as always.

You are right on about the drivers' nowadays pulling right up on your bumper at stoplights whether on a hill or not. Then some of them will drag-[bleeped] through the intersection. Why is that?

Owing to your explanation and reminder of how people pull up on you on inclines, I think I'll be getting one for the 41 project.

Tiny, I've learned to use the parking brake on inclines, also. But I think the hill-holder is a better solution.

Thanks,
Charlie

Ray,

With the holder, I think you meant to say "release" the clutch rather than "press" it when the light turns green. Just nitpicking you a little. Otherwise, a good clear explanation of the device, as always.

You are right on about the drivers' nowadays pulling right up on your bumper at stoplights whether on a hill or not. Then some of them will drag-[bleeped] through the intersection. Why is that?

Owing to your explanation and reminder of how people pull up on you on inclines, I think I'll be getting one for the 41 project.

Tiny, I've learned to use the parking brake on inclines, also. But I think the hill-holder is a better solution.

Thanks,
Charlie

If they were so good at holding your car on a hill. Why would they not been installed on the cars back then? Surley it would have been an excellant safety device especially in towns like Cincinnati, San Fransico, and towns that have lots of hills? Even if it were an add-on option it would be nice to know that that option exsited from the dealers.
I can see that all places may not be hilly like the flat land of Arizona and such. They would not need the device but it should have been offered as an add-on.

I like the idea of holding brakes on cars. I think it would be a nice safety device even on some of the newer cars.
I would like to see the device if anybody has pictures. Please!

Just my questions and opinions,
Ken

Very likely, not installing "hill holders" on most cars was simply a "bean counter" thing (counting pennys). Fairly common on Studebakers, they worked great and likely saved a lot of clutch wear (and women's nerves).

I didn't know they were available on GM cars. 'Great addition on any stick shift car.

Because back in the day when men were men, we didn't need no stinking "hill holders"...This invention was intended to allow the unskilled ( and women ) to safely share the roadway with the rest of "us" and not damage other peoples property or get on the nerves of the rest of "us" in general...Isn't that right ED...? ( just kidding )

I have to use the parking brake as a "hill holder" just to get off my own drive way...I think it's a skill that every manual transmission driver should possess...And embarrassing if you don't...! ...And perhaps dangerous...

Probably a good thing they weren't more popular...Might have changed the whole course of history...! Ed...? Where are you ED...? Has ED gone on vacation...? This is right up his alley...

Gene,
I should have guessed you'd have the instructions!

Thanks for the offer to send them - I appreciate it.
I'll PM my email address to you.
Thanks again,
-Bob

Back in the 60s Hurst Shifters had what they called Line-Loc. It was used at the drags to hold the car still at the lights. If I remember correctly there was a little button on the Shifter that was used to set and release the Brake. This is not OEM but it might be easier to find.