Hi Don,
I would strongly recommend that you spend as much time as possible
diagnosing your overdrive problem while it is still in the car before taking
it out. In my experience almost all overdrive problems can be cured without
removing the unit as most of the things which give trouble can be removed
with the OD still in the car.
Once you have the unit out and apart on the bench you may well find that you
cannot find anything wrong!!
You are correct that a pressure gauge is essential for good diagnosis. I
made one by brazing a union onto the top of an operating valve plug after
drilling a small hole through the plug. Although helpful a flex line is not
necessary as the gauge can be connected directly to the top of the plug.
The first test that I always do is to get the back end up on stands, get the
rear wheels up to about 50 MPH then move the valve checking lever as far as
it will go. (Make sure that you keep well away from the spinning
driveshaft). When the valve opens the relationship between the speedo and
the tach will change noticeably.
If that works then the fault is in the valve setting or solenoid set up.
Michael Salter
www.precisionsportscar.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-healeys@Autox.Team.Net [mailto:owner-healeys@Autox.Team.Net] On
Behalf Of Don
Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2004 2:59 PM
To: Healeys
Subject: Overdrive removal
Can the overdrive be removed without removing the transmission from the
bell housing? I have all of the electrical parts of the overdrive
working and solenoid is activating correctly. I have re-set the small
ball according to the manual but still have no OD. My next step is
checking the pressure; does anyone recall who has the gauge already made
up and available for purchase? The overdrive has never been engaged
since the car was purchased in 72 and I am thinking that it would be
better to just tear it apart from the transmission in the car if
possible. The article in Healey Manqui by Norm was extremely helpful in
explaining what is going on inside that little box. Any thoughts or
suggestions on the easiest way to proceed?
Don
57 BN4
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