Scott,
What you are suffering is a slipping operating lever on the solenoid side of
the OD. The clamping action (after 40 years) of the lever is probably
inadequate. If the lever rotates on the cross shaft your adjustment slowly
slips which reduces the lift height of the ball. With very little lift only a
small amount of oil is passed to the operating pistons thus taking longer to
actuate the clutch. The fix is to drill out the clamp and sleeve the clamp
with a piece of 5/16 ID steel tubing (3/8 OD brake line tubing). Slice the
tubing to restore the clamping action and you will be able to tighten to clamp
again. Now the myth that all Overdrives must slam into gear. Not true and
most undesirable. Actually the problem you have had should make you a
believer that it is possible to shift into OD smoothly. I am sure after 15
seconds your OD did not slam into gear. The key to smooth shifts is
determined entirely by the amount of lift you set with operating lever. This
is a very sensitive adjustment and requires a dial indicator to set correctly.
This can be done in the car just a little awkward. Release all pressure from
the OD by actuating the lever several times. Remove the cap, spring and
plunger from the top of the operating rod. Set up a dial indicator using a
small piece tubing to press on the ball. Zero it in the closed position.
Loosen the "improved" operating lever clamp. Actuate to solenoid to draw the
clamp up. A 3/16 gap to the lower stop is adequate. Now reach on the other
side of the OD and lift the lever to lift the ball. You can experiment with
the lift but you will find that somewhere between 12 and 15 thousandths (.012
to .015) is all the lift required. Tighten the clamp in this position. This
will produce a smooth shift in less than 1 second without the slam bam. More
lift means more slam. A 1/16 lift would be a crushing shift. If you're drag
racing you shouldn't be using an OD. Too expensive to keep running
Ed Purdy
|