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In this Discussion
Putting Overdrive in 51 Pacemaker-Need Advise
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After putting a couple thousand miles on the Pacemaker this season it has become apparant that overdrive is the next project for the Hudson especially if I'm going to run with the Alabama bunch (they like to go fast down here). I've located a 49 Super Six as a donor car. The question is what OD parts will swap from the 49 OD to the 51 Pacemaker, with the original 232 and single lever trans? Will the driveshaft from the 49 OD work with the Pacemaker? I've researched and there are some posts on that indicate this has been done but not alot of detail on the parts swap so I decided best to just start a new thread. Any help is appreciated!
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If you have a doner car that is great. The overdrive car and the Hydromatic car use a shorter driveshaft. it is easily mover from one car to another. The body of the long car and the short cars is the same rear of the firewall. The overdrive had a different rear end ratio but not by much. All the parts from doner should move right over.
RogerRetired Tech. -
Also make sure you change the flywheel and clutch to the 10" unit from the donor car, if you don't do it now, you'll be doing it sooner or later! Easier to do it now while everything's apart for the changeover.
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What was not mentioned is the fact the drive shaft from the '49 will need to be shortened about 3 inches, as the Pacemaker firewall is indented under the cowl vent about that much to allow the engine to sit back under the shorter hood of the Pacemaker. You could also shorten the Pacemaker drive shaft to the correct length. I recommend you have a competent person / shop do this. The weld needs to be strong, and the shaft will have to be rebalanced. Measure thrice, cut once....if you screw up, then at least you still have another driveshaft to try and get right. LOL Ken U-Tx
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No dont cut anything , use the shorter shaft from the doner car.It will fit fine. actualy the front shaft is the only differance.And yes all the overdrive cars had the larger clutch.Retired Tech.
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Really appreciate all the advise and very happy the 49 O/D will swap into the 51 Pacemaker. Now to pull the parts out of the donor car and get them ready to install. Not sure what condition the donor O/D is in since the car is very rusty and sat outside for a long period so probably should at least do a good inspection before installing. Any suggestions on what parts are wise to replace on the O/D tranny?
Thanks!
Doug in Huntsville -
If you are not fammiliar with one I think I would leave it alone. Or take it to someone who works on them to look it over.
If you are real confident in your abilites buy a service manual and parts manual , Orders a set of gaskets and some seals and take it apaart.
The solenoid and speed switch are common trouble spots. Also a weak spring for the shifter detent tends let it pop out of second gear.Not a bad idea to change that if you have it open.
RogerRetired Tech. -
Tallent R wrote:If you have a doner car that is great. The overdrive car and the Hydromatic car use a shorter driveshaft. it is easily mover from one car to another. The body of the long car and the short cars is the same rear of the firewall. The overdrive had a different rear end ratio but not by much. All the parts from doner should move right over.
Roger
The body is the same from the cowl on back, but the firewall on the short wheelbase cars has an indentation about 3-4" deep in the center for the engine and transmission to sit back that much in the chassis. Thus the front drive shaft from the '49 OD donor car will need shortening and balancing. I have done the OD swap into a short wheelbase car. Putting an OD into the Short wheelbase car is no small task, as the tranny has to be put in from under the car if the engine is in place. On the LWB cars the tranny can be pulled and installed from inside the passenger compartment with the front seat and transmission floor cover out.
1950_pacemaker_engine_view_left_front.JPG525 x 394 - 58K -
The Master Parts Manual lists a different part number for short wheelbase cars front drive shafts.
