Larry, Greg, Larry, et.al,
There is one serious problem with towing a Spitfire with its rear wheels
on the ground, and it has to do with lubrication in the gearbox.
In particular, the pilot bearing between the input shaft and the
mainshaft. This is a small needle bearing. It's pressed (early version)
or slid into the back of the input shaft. The front of the mainshaft
runs in this bearing.
The bearing is lubricated through 3 holes, 120 degrees apart, between
teeth in the input shaft. For this to be effective, the input shaft
needs to be turning, dipping into the oil, picking it up and running it
through these 3 little holes. The input shaft is driven by the clutch,
which is bolted to the flywheel, etc.
So, if you have to tow the car with its rear wheels down, definitely tow
the car in neutral. But if you're towing the car for any distance, or at
high speed,
*******Keep the engine on!!!*******
Bill Kelly
'62 Herald
|