Michael, the overdrive switch is normally on the left side of the
steering column. It is angled so it is hard to get it into the wrong
orientation but yes the OD is off when the lever is up and is engaged
when you push the lever down. I don't think reversing wires will do
anything, if yours was mounted the wrong way up you would need to
physically rotate the switch.
The J-Type was wired to operate only in third and fourth. There are
interlock switched on the gearbox top cover that determine when the OD
can be engaged. It can be wired to operate in second also if you don't
overdo it in second. Engaging overdrive in reverse will damage it so it
is not a good idea to wire this up and bypass all the interlock switches
because one day you will make a mistake and will be looking at $1000.00
plus and a few days work to fix it.
There is a lot of discussion about the best way to engage the overdrive
but I personally never use the clutch and I generally engage the OD when
the rpm tells me I should. If the speed and rpm drops I take it out of
OD before it starts to labor.
I waited 25 years to retrofit OD to my TR6 and I plan to enjoy it and
pamper it for another 25..
Stan
<snip>
I added a J-type overdrive to my car and am anxious to try it out--but
I've never used an overdrive transmission and am not sure of the
technique. The way I have it wired is the overdrive is disengaged when
the column switch is up. I'm basing this on the fact that in my test
miles the tach had the previous readings at highway speeds. With the
car not running but the ignition switch on I can activate the switch and
hear/feel the solenoid click. If the switch is in the "wrong" position
I can just reverse the wiring plugs, true?
Anyway, what is the proper technique for engaging overdrive at speed?
Also, someone in the car club said engaging overdrive in reverse gear is
a definite no-no; something about burning up the solenoid. Any thoughts
on that?
I still have a few electrical gremlins that I will ask about in a future
posting. But so far things are coming together and I plan to make up
for the driving I have missed over the past year and a half. Having a
working overdrive is a definite plus, so I look forward to your advice.
<snip>
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