The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Overdrive Relay

I started this over in the driveline forum, but it actually has turned out to be an electrical problem. The relay that controls the overdrive solenoid is shot on my 55 2nd series pu. I would like to replace it with something "period" if possible. Does anyone know where I could get a relay that is appropriate for the truck?

member rfs56trk might help, seems to have parts and knowledge

Bill

55,
I left you a message in the other forum. I'm not convinced that the relay is the problem.
Try this first. With everything hooked up -
Connect a jumper wire to the KD terminal of the relay to ground, if the solenoid clicks, the relay and solenoid circuits are OK. If no click or blows fuse the problem is usually the solenoid. If it turns out to be a relay problem, the original stuff is hard to come by and has become expensive. I usually install a Bosch type relay on the OD's that I do for customers. They are available at Napa and others for about $25. It will require some minor wiring changes but I can help you with that.
Fred

A LR-32 Standard-Bluestrak headlamp relay works well for this application, too. It also has a built in fuse holder. I tend to agree with Fred. It's seems more like an issue in the solenoid, maybe it's grounded out internally?

Yes it was me that posted in the other forum. But I did get the OD working last night. It was the relay. I've got a cheapie Radio Shack relay wired in temporarily. I don't need the OEM relay, but I would like to have one that bolts to the firewall and looks like it belongs.

I will follow up on your suggestion to see if I can get something that works better that what I have now.

Thanks

One of the companies that is on the Stovebolt list of suppliers sells the relay and kick down switch. I think the relay was about $75. I can't remember their name, but they shouldn't be that hard to find.
They appear to be Ford parts but they do the same job.
The last original Delco I saw advertised was in Classic Chevy Int. magazine, I think they wanted $180 for it. As Bill said the headlight relay works fine, the Napa number is AR294.
Fred

For between $75 and $180 I think I will get creative.

Ar294 doesn't look like the one I have, this one matches what I'm using. I may have had the wrong Stabdard-Bluestreak #. http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPag...tNumber=HR201&Description=Horn+Relay

That's what I'm saying!!! I've run my '62 3sp+od for 9+ years, 34 thousand miles w/o a relay and never a hiccup. I don't run the governor, I use a switch with an inline indicator light that reminds me not to start out in 1st overdrive. I can actually split the gears to get 6 forward speeds with my '57 3.90 rear. I do a 'manual kick-down' for a passing gear; in fact I do the kick-down almost daily as part of my commute is on an interstate.

Bill,
That one looks good, I'll have to check it out.
The Napa AR294 is actually a VW/Audi headlight Relay.
I have also found them on Cadillacs at Pick Your Part.
I have a Delco Remy relay on my truck that I bought for $50 from Golden State Parts about 10 years ago - before the supply dried up.
Fred

I'm not making this up, I just got my current issue of Classic Chevy magazine. A guy has a (used) OD kick down switch & bracket advertised for $125.
I think some people watch too much Barrett-Jackson.
Fred

Well my "creative" solution was to try and wire my new small plastic relay inside the original "shell". The relay in the truck was a DelcoRemy that was enclosed inside a black metal cover. I though I could make it look better that just having the plastic cube on the firewall.

When I pulled it all apart to see if it was possible, I noticed the positive feed had come loose from the coils and was resting on the metal frame. I soldered it back onto the coils, and it works great.

To celebrate, the wife and I went on a road trip and put about 200 miles on the truck on Saturday. It cruises very comfortably at 65 - 70.

Once again I am impressed by the knowledge, experience, and help in these forums.

Way to go!!!!