AceCollins Posted September 22, 2003 Share Posted September 22, 2003 I have decided to begin looking for a Columbia Two-Speed for my 37. I figure I will need it to do highway cruising. Roy Thorson directed me to an expert on the West Coast to educate me in this matter. From what I now know any Ford Columbia will work in the Lincoln. If anyone knows of one for sale, let me know. I will look at just buying a good unit, but really want one with controls as well.Ace Collins http://www.acecollins.com/37zephyr.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyDale Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 Dear Ace,From what i know,all Columbias are NOT the same.Do your homework,i do not want to see you get stuck with something you can not use.diz <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBoz Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 Ace -I went ahead and bought the manuals from Faxon. It might be worth it for you as well:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...item=2432988387If I read the description right, it will tell us what is shared and isn't shared with the Ford units. I seem to remember that the vacuum control unit was different from the Fords, but George Trickett in Vermont could tell you for sure.BTW, who's going to the swap meet in PA this Jan./Feb? I'm planning to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceCollins Posted September 23, 2003 Author Share Posted September 23, 2003 Dan Krehbiel, who did all of Roy Thorson's work on both his LZ's, tells me the units are basically the same and he can rework them to fit any year. I will recall him and make sure of this information. I visited with him twice today and he seemed to be confident of this fact, saying he has switched out Ford units into Lincolns for years. He is in LZ club too. I do know that 41-48 Lincoln BW OD will not work with our cars. Anyway, I will keep digging and make another call or two for a second opinion. I am not going to buy anything until I get another royalty check later this year anyway. Thanks guys!Ace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Phil Knapp Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 Hi Ace,Dan Krehbiel has been a good friend of mine since 1962 and I can highly recommend him as a reliable Columbia source. He has built over 200 Columbia axles in the past 20 or so years and he knows the parts that need to be strengthened for reliability. He built a Columbia for my 1939 Ford Convertible that I never installed before I sold the car. Now I am planning on installing it in my recently acquired 1939 Zephyr Convertible. The only difference in the units is that the right axle housing spring shackle is larger on the Lincoln unit. When Dan built mine, he only had a Lincoln right axle housing on hand which was OK by me at the time, now it's perfect! You may have to fabricate a bracket for the control unit since it mounts differently in the Lincoln. It's an excellent accessory.Say Hi to Dan for me if you speak with him again. Good Luck with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceCollins Posted September 23, 2003 Author Share Posted September 23, 2003 Thanks. I figured that Roy would steer me in the right direction. Just need to find a unit that is not, as has been explained to me, broken.Ace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBoz Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 That's really good news, Ace. Could you ask him a couple questions for me. Specifically, in 37, the speedo cable went all the way back to the rear axle. But I have a 38 unit, which has a speedo adjustment unit, with a feed cable coming from the speedo and a second cable out to the transmisson. Questions:1. Is the 38 arrangement superior to the 37? It looks more complex to me.2. Can he convert my 38 columbia axle to look like the 37?(If anyone else wants to take a shot at answering this, I'd appreciate it.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_Phil Knapp Posted September 23, 2003 Share Posted September 23, 2003 If I remember correctly, the speedometer drive on the '37 is from the left axle. Since the Columbia gearset is on the right axle, you should be able to retain the left side speedometer drive and eliminate the speedometer gearbox. A much simpler arrangement, except you have a very LONG speedometer cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceCollins Posted September 23, 2003 Author Share Posted September 23, 2003 Cecil, I will ask him when I visit later this week. I am waiting on a party to get back with me that has a 47 Ford unit. It sounds like Phil probably already gave you the news you needed.Ace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceCollins Posted September 24, 2003 Author Share Posted September 24, 2003 Cecil,Dan gave me the scoop on your unit. Both speedo cable set ups are correct for both 37 and 38. A Columbia with a cable that went all the way back to the rear axle was a factory unit. The unit you bought was dealer installed (they had the twin cable set up with a box on the firewall). So, from a show standpoint down the road, either unit should work. Dan said to do it the way it is easiest for you and if you want any advice from him his number is (909) 302-5922.Hope this is the information you needed.Ace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBoz Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Wow, Ace. That's good news -- it means I don't have to make any modifications for concours purposes. I'll save the number for future reference when it comes time to give my unit a good going-through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceCollins Posted September 26, 2003 Author Share Posted September 26, 2003 Phil,I paid your respects to Dan. I have found not one but two 47 Ford Columbias and sent him pics of both. He assures me that he can rebuild both of them, that nothing is missing or broken. So looks like I am going to end up selling one to Dan and letting him restore the other for my 37. Thanks for all the advice gang. AceCollinshttp://www.acecollins.com/classicfordsa.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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