Ed, the governor can't be eliminated as you describe. If everything else is OK, the governor can be determined easily: With the engine running and GEN light off, connect a jumper wire from the wire connection on the governor to a good ground. You should hear the solenoid's heavy click. If this occurs, the governor is the problem. The trouble is usually oil getting up into the governor and onto the contact points. You can easily remove the four cover plate screws to inspect and carefully clean the contacts if needed. The contacts assembly is on the underside of the cover plate.

Check the solenoid by applying 6v to the terminal marked '4', with the solenoid case grounded. You should hear the heavy click. This is easy to do without removing the solenoid, or, if it's already removed. check it up at the battery, with the solenoid case held to one battery terminal and a short jumper from the other battery terminal to the #4 terminal. The polarity isn't important.

If more info is needed, check for a troubleshooting chart in the shop manual, or email or call me and we can chat.

Park Waldrop (in the roster)

Don't know if this will help - it covers 1941-1950. The document is in the online library.
Hmmm - after reading it over (after posting it) I guess it won't be of much use.

I'm in the process of scanning a 1951 shop manual - this has a trouble shooting section - I could scan those pages and send them to you via e-mail if you wish.
My email is NEChudsontech09@yahoo.com (drop the NEC).

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

Thank for the PDF. The terminal numbers for the switch and relay are greatly appreciated.

Don't you mean the governor is bad if the solenoid goes "click"? Because the governor provides ground at the proper RPS, correct?

Right. If the OD isn't working, but grounding the governor terminal makes the solenoid click, then the governor is the problem. By grounding that terminal, you're doing what the governor should be doing but isn't. Be sure the OD button is pushed in all the way when you make these tests.

If nothing happens when you ground the governor terminal, move "up the line" to the next item in the circuit, the "lockout" switch. It's at the very rear of the OD, next to where the speedo cable plugs in. Short those two wires together, then ground the governor again (with engine running, as described above). If the solenoid clicks, that lockout switch is faulty. It should be connecting the two wires together when the OD button is pushed in. Here again, you can remove the switch and carefully take it apart to clean up the contacts.

Ed - I finished scanning the relevant overdrive trouble shooting pages. If you'd like a copy drop me an email - address in my last post.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr

Ed, be sure to check the fuse-holder on the OD relay, as well as the four wire connections there. I've seen some cars that have developed corrosion there, preventing a good flow of power to the solenoid.

Park, Got it. Thank you. I will start later this week.