Classic/Antique Car Repair: studebaker Champion 1950 overdrive, studebaker champion, tail shaft

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.