In a message dated 98-11-08 22:24:54 EST, dresden@tiac.net writes:
<< Think about it:
What harm are you doing by removing the force applied by the engine from
the equation, as long as it shifts out smoothly? >>
Maybe a lot. With the clutch in, or during an engine braking condition, the
drive train is receiving its power from the drive wheels at the rear instead
of the engine at the front. Most BritCar ODs are pretty much the same and
were designed to have power come into them on the input shaft and go out the
rear. Consider that Austin-Healeys came with a throttle switch that
prohibited the OD from dropping out unless the throttle was at least 1/3 open.
This was to protect the OD from potential damage caused by power coming into
it on the output shaft while it dropped out. I doubt it's a concidence that
many of the Healeys seen today with inoperable ODs have non-functioning, or
bypassed, throttle switches.
Ray G
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