JARplanner@aol.com wrote:
> OverDrive -- I just read Trevor's description of adding the OD to his 1500
> Midget. Is this OD adaptable to the A-series engine & ribcase gearbox? Is
> there a specific OD kit made for the Aseries?
There are kits to do it, but you do need to source some
bits that might be hard to find here in North America.
I forget the details, but there were some English cars
that used A-series engines and that transmission, so
you can cruft something together if you can find one of
these cars to take apart.
The most economical way likely involves using the
input shaft and bell housing from the donor car to
modify a locally sourced transmission to bolt up.
I think your book "Power Tuning..." has the details,
and I guess that decides if this is workable or not. Finding
a 1983 Sherpa Van with overdrive in California just
isn't going to happen. ;>
> What are the pros/cons of OD versus a true 5speed?
Realistically, there aren't many pros. I guess it's
valid that the overdrive works on third also so
technically you have 6 gears, but that's of dubious
use when you consider the 6 gears that you get.
The main reason I chose overdrive over a five speed
was that it was more "British". Even though the Spridget
never came with overdrive, if they chose to give it
another gear you can be sure that's the way they
would do it.
So it's all British components, british "thinking",
and british-feeling in operation.
Take away that, and really there are no advantages. The
5 speed is easier to use, and is likely a lot more
reliable over the long term.
Overdrives last well but succumb to noodly problems
like electrical faults, oil leaks, hydraulic internal
problems, and so on.
--
Trevor Boicey, P. Eng.
Ottawa, Canada, tboicey@brit.ca
ICQ #17432933 http://www.brit.ca/~tboicey/
"On your way out, if you wanna kill someone, it would help me a lot."
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/// (If they are dupes, this trailer may also catch them.)
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