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Classic/Antique Car Repair/studebaker Champion 1950 overdrive

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Expert: - 2/22/2010


Question
I believe I may have a problem with the governor. The solenoid works fine when I ground the relay at the relay ground terminal. It also works fine when I ground the wire connected to to the governor under the car. So, the points at the governor are not closing. I took the governor off and used a drill at the bench to rotate the governor shaft, the points closed when I used an ohm meter showing that the governor terminal is grounded. It looks like that the governor shaft is not rotating when installed in the overdrive unit at various speeds up to 60 miles per hour. I stuck my finger in the governor opening to see if the governor drive gear is OK. It is OK but it turns freely on the main shaft. I would think it should not so that it turns the governor pinion. What do you think? any suggestions? Worse comes to worse,I can put a switch inside the car to ground the relay when I want the overdrive to kick in.

Answer
Hi John:
Well it sounds like you have found the problem. The gear should not turn on the shaft. If my memory serves me right you can remove the tail shaft housing from the back of the transmission/overdrive without removing the unit from the car. Then you should be able to get at the gear and remove it to check for a broken keyway.  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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