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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Columbia question from a newbie.

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Columbia question from a newbie.     wmsteed 07-12-2011 @ 9:46 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 613 Joined: Oct 2009 Since your car is a '37, the original differential is very similar to the later model Ford's. The '42-48 models are a little wider than the '37-41. If you are building a concourse correct car you will need a complete '37 Columbia, however, if you are building a "driver" then an option to consider is a '42-48 unit. The '42-48 Columbia's are 2" wider than the earlier units. The '37 center section "banjo", drive-line and radius bars will hook right up to the Columbia. If you want to keep your stock brakes they will also fit the late model rear end, hydraulics would be a better choice.. The '42-48 controls, electric over vacuum are much easier to find and use, compared to the earlier controls. My '36 coupe had a Columbia in it which I changed to a '42-48 unit.. I used the original center section and drive-line, 37 radius bars and '42-48 brakes with '39 drums. The unit has worked great for over 55 years. The thing I like about the Columbia is that it has a passing gear that works by just lightly touching the clutch as the throttle is released... Nothing is cut in the car. True... the Columbia's are pricey, however, the aux transmissions are not cheap, especially by the time the installation is completed. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe TomO 07-12-2011 @ 9:07 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7386 Joined: Oct 2009 They were factory installed on the Mercury in 1939 and 1940. Tom supereal 07-11-2011 @ 6:06 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 My friend Kube informs me that the Columbia was, in fact, approved by Ford as an accessory beginning in 1941. If you wanted one, the dealer did have to install it. The Columbia was not without its problems, often involving the vacuum shift mechanism and controls. Most have them "bulletproofed" by an expert before installation, which involves replacement of parts. Installing is not an easy job, as it involves removing and disassembling the rear axle, adding the unit, then tinkering with the backlash adjustment by swapping banjo gaskets until it is correct. ford38v8 07-09-2011 @ 10:17 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2883 Joined: Oct 2009 Will, John Connolly, the administrator of this Forum, is the man to talk to. He is the expert referred to above, and he also manufactures the hard to find controls. Columbia Two Speed Parts www.columbiatwospeedparts.com Reproduction Repair Axle Parts and Controls for the Columbia Overdrive Two Speed Axle 1935 - 1948 Alan Stroker 07-09-2011 @ 9:52 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 The Columbia uses all your rear axle parts except the right-hand differential half, and the right hand axle housing. If you are looking for a unit, make sure it is from the same vintage Ford, and not a Lincoln Zephyr unit. Start your quest by contacting our own V8 Club Columbia Guru @ columbiatwospeed@earthlink.net supereal 07-09-2011 @ 9:40 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The Columbias were never a Ford approved accessory, as far as I know, but were a dealer installed add-on. The controls did vary from model to model. These units have become scarce and pricey, as you know, and usually need to be rebuilt by a specialist. The controls, alone, if missing, command a high price. You might consider a Mitch*ll unit, which is readily available and installs in place of the torque tube, instead of the rear axle. I have a Ryan OD in my '47, and it lets me cruise at hiway speeds without the engine screaming at 60+ mph wayoutwilli 07-09-2011 @ 9:09 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 3 Joined: Apr 2010 I have a '37 and was wondering about a Columbia. I know that they are hard to find. I was wondering what parts (if any) would to be the same year as the car.

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