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TR2/3/3A Overdrive Solenoid

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R

Redoakboo

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I am restoring a 1954 TR-2 Long Door, that has been napping for 30 years. Engine only had 32k but still replaced what needed to be replaced. The 88 year old man I bought it from did not know it had overdrive? When I looked at the car, sitting on 30 yr flat tires, I couldn't see underneath it. The VIN was TS 3359 LO, so guess it had overdrive. I did see a hole in the dash right where the OD switch should have been, along with two rusty wires hanging from the dash. After installing a set of new tires, still napping, I could then see the brass drain plug; Whoopee!

After removing the transmission, I saw that all the overdrive wiring had long since rusted away, along with the wire to the solenoid. My Question: I have a spare solenoid for my 57 TR-3. Will it work on this transmission? I noticed that this transmission only has One switch on top whereas my TR-3 has two.

Dick
 
The newer solenoid should work fine. The TR2 only allowed OD in 4th gear, and thus the single switch on top of the tranny. The wiring is relatively simple. It sounds like all you need is a switch and you'll be good to go! The TR2 switch is a single pole, single throw pull switch, not the later large flip switch.
 
I think that single shifter switch will give you OD in 3rd and 4th both gears are on the same rod

Graham
 
Graham H said:
I think that single shifter switch will give you OD in 3rd and 4th both gears are on the same rod

Graham
Click to expand...

It can be made to get 3rd overdrive by changing the 3/4 fork. The early TR2 fork was shaped so it only gives OD in 4th. It misses the switch in 3rd.
 
CJD said:
It can be made to get 3rd overdrive by changing the 3/4 fork. The early TR2 fork was shaped so it only gives OD in 4th. It misses the switch in 3rd.
Click to expand...

Note that the factory also made other changes internal to the OD, in order to handle the higher torque seen by it in 2nd & 3rd gears.

IMO 3rd OD is fairly useless, as it's almost exactly the same ratio as 4th direct. But 2nd OD is a good split between 2nd direct & 3rd direct, so I use it fairly often.
 
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