VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 overdrive

Did chevy make a overdrive and if so would it work with the torque tube in my 47 ? thanks

To my knowledge, Mark, Chevrolet never made an overdrive. I believe in the 50's they purchased overdrive units from Borg Warner and sold them through their Dealers.
As far as an overdrive compatible with your torque tube, Chevy never made them. A fellow in Ohio used to make after market assemblies, but I understand he's deceased and his business went with him. I have one of those O.D. units in my '37 coupe. The torque tube was cut into three pieces and a section removed. A B-W overdrive was then welded in the torque tube. It works well and is great for high speed touring with a 30% decrease in engine RPM.

Bob

Mark,There was an overdrive made for Chevrolets in the 1947-50 era.It was made by Truckstell (may be mis-spelled).Iy was mounted behind the U joint and the torque tube and drive shaft was cut and shortened.It was available mainly thru Chevrolet dealers but was NOT a GM product.Kinda like the '47-'48 CountryClub wood kits.The majority that I have seen were from the "west" where the roads were long and straight and higher cruising speeds were desired.When I worked in a Chev. dealership many years ago a mechanic installed one on his 1947.Claimed he got 24 MPG and would hit 95 MPH.I do see them advertised for sale -either on cars or the used units-from time to time.The last one that I saw for sale was at the 40th anniversary meet in Springfield.If purchasing used you must be sure to get the complete unit as there is mechanism that bolts to the firewall as its connected in with the clutch.
I have a friend and fellow VCCA member that has a unit in his 1941.He runs at 80 with not strain.
After Power Glide came out in 1950 they faded away as the 3.55 gears in the PG made OD less necessary.

Thanks guys. I hope I can find an overdrive, that way I can keep the original drive train and still be able to drive on the freeway here in CA.

In the G&D a few months back was a complete setup
for around $850.
I do have three of the overdrive units one is for parts. I think the orthers are good.
Garya

Chevgene is right. It was called the
"Tip-Toe-Matic" overdrive, and it was made by the "Truckstell" company. I have the orig brochere on it. If you want me to email you a copy of it, let me know by email.


Fleet47

Thanks Dean.I have a brochure too but can't find it.Too much junk

Hi Mark47 There is an overdrive unit (I think it's advertized in Hemmings)for a closed drive shaft Model A **** . I belong to a Model A club and a couple of members installed these units on their cars last summer. We have a club meeting soon I'll try to get more information. Ol4dz

Mark,
I tried to E mail you a picture of a BW overdrive but it came back as not deliverable to your posted address. Let me know if you want me to try a different addy.