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Re: O.D. - to clutch or not to clutch...

To: Rene van Maanen <renevm@support.neth.hp.com>
Subject: Re: O.D. - to clutch or not to clutch...
From: ccrobins <ccrobins@ktc.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 1998 19:50:03 -0600
By "take care of your car"  do you mean repair any faults before it
dies?  I'll buy that.  Unusual noises mean it's time to fix it.

  CR

Rene van Maanen wrote:
> 
> Hi Lawrie,
> 
> Allthough I don't clutch, I second your opinion.
> 
> Especcially: when you hear a cluck anywhere, it's time to consider whats 
>wrong.
> 
> Take care of your car and support a much longer life than it already had!
> 
> Rene van Maanen
> Project Manager HP Consulting
> Tel: +31 20 547 7578 / +31 (0)6 53 647 076 (mobile)
> e-mail: rene-van_maanen@hp.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Lawrie  Alexander [SMTP:Lawrie@britcars.com]
> Sent:   08 November, 1998 5:27 PM
> To:     mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject:        Re: O.D. - to clutch or not to clutch...
> 
> So CCRobins suggests we blindly follow the manual and ignore the consensus
> of opinion of those experienced with the situation? May I suggest a kinder,
> gentler and more sensible approach?
> 
> What is usually overlooked in this discussion is that the manual was written
> to instruct people how to use an overdrive unit that was brand new. There
> isn't one of them out there now that's less than eighteen years old; early
> D-types are thirty-five years old. As we all find, age can have a somewhat
> damaging effect even on the most hardy specimens!
> 
> In the course of my business, I drive a lot of cars with overdrive. Both my
> 68 BGT and my 77 roadster have overdrive. They are all different in the ways
> they engage and disengage! With some, you can absolutely follow the manual
> and not bother to use the clutch. (My 77's LH unit works this way.) Flip the
> switch, the engine's rpm changes with no shudder or clunk in the driveline.
> My '68, however, and most others that I drive, will shift into overdrive
> without using the clutch and without clunking, but shifting back out of
> overdrive? If I don't dab the clutch, there's a heckuva clunk through the
> driveline. Larry Hoy reports this happens at high speed only; in my
> experience, it can happen at all speeds.
> 
> So, in the interests of not damaging gears, universal joints, the overdrive
> itself, or my peace of mind, I refuse to be controlled by something written
> thirty years ago. I just flat-out disobey the manual and use the clutch! So
> far, the "manual obedience" police haven't caught up with me - and my
> overdrives are still working just fine.
> 
> My advice to anyone with overdrive in their car is, therefore, if it shifts
> perfectly smoothly without the clutch, fine, save your leg effort. But if
> the shift in or out of overdrive is accompanied by any driveline clunk or
> thud, save the mechanical pieces by using your leg on the clutch. A shapely
> calf muscle is more acceptable than the major expense associated with
> overdrive repairs!
> 
> Lawrie
> British Sportscar Center
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ccrobins <ccrobins@ktc.com>
> To: Carl W. French <cfrench@cybertours.com>
> Cc: Eugene Balinski <eugeneb@nni.com>; mgs@autox.team.net
> <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Date: Saturday, November 07, 1998 8:30 PM
> Subject: Re: O.D. - to clutch or not to clutch...
> 
> >This kind of post pops up now and then.  What I don't understand is:
> >If the manual clearly says how to do something, whoin'ell cares what the
> >consensus is??
> >
> >  CR
> >
> >
> >>
> >> Eugene Balinski wrote:
> >> >
> >> > My "new" 80 B has OD.  TheP.O always used the clutch
> >> > to engage/disengage. The owners manual says no clutching
> >> > is necessary.   What is the concensus ??
> >> >
> >> > Thanks,
> >> >
> >> > Gene
> >>
> >


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