The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Watson/Brown-Lipe Overdrive Questions

I have recently acquired a Watson transmission mfd by the Brown-Lipe Gear Division of Spicer Manufacturing.

It sez its a model 2021 (i think).
Click me to see model and serial number

Here is a picture of the whole thing - note the small size next to a common screwdriver.
Small Overdirve - click me - Direct/Over speeds only

Does anyone have any manuals or information they can give me regarding this jewel? Its going into my 59 1 ton and it looks to be like a .75 overdrive unsychrnoized. So any suggestions would be helpful regarding installation, maintenance, or driving.

I haven't found any information about it on the net in my searches.

Thanks.

(Btw, you haven't seen me posting lately because the 59 is doing well and most of my time is spent on my 47 cj2a 'heep')

I don't profess to be an expert,but most of the details of installation are self evident. you'll need to build a crossmember to set it on,or locate an upper one th hang it from depending on where the mounting holes are. for linkage,I'd look to transfer case linkage and shifter from an older four wheel drive;you'll be able to make it work with a little measuring and fabrication. You need to have your driveline shortened,or have one made for it so you won't have to cut up a good original. A driveline shop will be able to provide yokes to fit whatever u-joints you have,so you don't have to run two different sizes. It'd be a good idea to replace the input and output seals before you install it.
How good are the gears-not much slack? if it seems like there's a lot of back-lash,it might need a bearing. You can run 90/105 wt gear oil in it,and I'd run a can of STP too. (it quiets noisy gears a little) There's probably a case vent somewhere on it. Be sure it isn't plugged,or your new seals will leak just like the old ones. Is there a speedo drive on the output shaft? If so,you'll need a longer speedo cable. If not,you'll have to change speedo drive gears to make the speedometer read right.
For maintenance,just treat it like a truck 4 speed;change the oil in it once in a while,don't speed shift it,try not to grind gears,yada yada. It probably is unsynchronized,so when you upshift,float the throttle,pull it into neutral,push in the clutch and let the rpm's drop,ease it into overdrive,let the clutch out.To downshift,same basic deal;float the rpm's,push it into neutral,ADD some revs,push in the clutch,slide it into direct,let the clutch out. You'll get the hang of it in no time. My last 2 ton was a '51 Ford,with a fully UN-synchronized 4 speed. It was a ball to drive once I learned how to shift it without "scratching" gears.
Let me know if you decide this is too much work;I could use it,too.

I hear ya speed. Supposedly the whole thing was gone through by the previous owner to the previous owner, and the current guy just never got a chance to mount it.

I used to have a 68 camaro with a 230 i6 in it and a roasted clutch. To make it last I drove it clutchless except for the start so I got a good idea on how to float it. Got an extra 6 months out of it before it detonated.

I felt no slack/slop at all in the gears and it has 3 positions - drive, neutral, and overdrive.

I don't know how much goo to put in it though. It was shipped dry. I might put some goo in it and spin it up with a drill and see if leaks.

I have a good idea on how to make the cross member, etc, as the 292 in my truck now needed custom motor mounts made for it. That's a good idea on the stick. I might go crazy though and get some round bar stock, heat up the gas rig, and make my own. That's all part of the fun. I am thinking I will try to find an old front drive shaft and have it cut down and then if I want to keep it, I can swap it back out.

Doesn't have a speedo drive, but, I don't really care as the truck's speedometer doesn't work and I have a piece of paper on my visor with the speeds in gears clocked with a GPS! Ha!