brian-nz Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Hi THis may be a silly question but can you advise me on where to fill the overdrive unit with oil. Is it through the gearbox or the overdrive unit. There is what appears to be a filler / drain? plug on the right hand side of the unit above the lever. The overdrive electrics seem ok as a load clunk is heard when switch activated but not translating to change in revs. I have searched the forum and although there is plenty of topics about overdrives I can't find one that answers my question and the manual I have does not show be anything Thanks for your help in advance Regards Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 The filler plug for the A type is the same plug as the gearbox which is on the left hand side. Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brian-nz Posted August 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Thanks Graham for your quick response. Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Elliott Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Brian - It all depends on the Comm. No. of your TR. I bought my TR brand new in May, 1958 and the filler on those early TRs is on RHS top of the tunnel near the top of the handbrake lever arm. If yours is like mine (see photo) pull back the carpet and fill via the top hole. There is also a dip-stick which will tell you if your oil level is adequate. There are two "V" grooves for low and full. I cross-drilled two 1/16" diameter hole through- one through each "V" groove to make it easier to read the oil level. If the oil is high enough, you can see oil in both these tiny drill holes. If you have a later TR or if the gearbox and overdrive nave been retrofitted from a later TR up to some TR6s, the fill plug is half way up the left side of the gearbox casting. The oil will splash over into the top of the overdrive casing from the main gearbox - so check the oil again after running the engine and gearbox for several minutes then add oil back up to the correct level. On the later gearboxes with the side fill plug. stick your little finger into the fill hole to see if the oil is up to the level of the fill hole. You will get a dab of oil on your finger tip. On a later TR3A I restored, I cut a hole in the tunnel (see green photo) and use a rubber plug to close the hole. To fill the gearbox / overdrive on this one, all you doo is lift the carpet, pull out the rubber plug and the fill hole plug is quite accessible via this side hole. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vivdownunder Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Brian, that side filler plug can be a headache to remove/refit. Useful solution is a suitable hex nut, square out the hole, slip it on and use a ring spanner. (Or socket and extension with an access hole like Don's pic) Viv . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Great tip! Now where did I put my drill that makes square holes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 I use an 8 point socket with a 6" extension through a 3" tunnel cover hole. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Viv, of all the PITA tasks on my TR, checking or filling the gearbox (four synchro on my TSF TR3B) isn't anywhere near the top of the list. Removing/installing the pipe plug just isn't that hard with a twelve-point ratcheting combination wrench. And you must have smaller fingers than I, Don, if you can stick a pinkie in the pipe plug hole to check level! I do like the idea of a dipstick, and may install an earlier top cover when gearbox TSF219 is upgraded to overdrive later this year. Access holes through the tunnel are nice, too. A fluid pump made to fit on an oil container is a convenient way to add gearbox oil through the left-side plug filler. These are pretty cheap at most auto parts stores, if you don't have one already. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brian-nz Posted August 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 Thanks heaps guys. I have installed a later all syncro gearbox with overdrive. I had already filled from the left side but had second thoughts when I saw the plug on the right. I was reading on the forum about the possibility of air in the overdrive unit and the need to 'bleed' it to expel the air and thought I would need to fill the unit separately. As always plenty of help from forum members which is appreciated Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 If its the recent topic I am thinking of, started by Peejay, the discussion was about venting a J-type OD. I had no need to bleed my A-type and it just shares the gbox oil. You might like it change it quite soon after a rebuild though, and a bit more often than is usual for a gbox when in service. The OD uses friction material and this does get into the oil. I rebuilt an OD that had done a huge mileage and took the oil out with a spoon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 (edited) Have you had the OD working since the new unit was installed , or are you still trying to get it to engage for the first time?. It can take some time for the oil to fill the OD section so you may need to top it up. Graham Edited August 10, 2013 by Graham Harris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brian-nz Posted August 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 Graham, I am still trying to engage for the first time. Will check the oil level and top up if necessary and try that. Cheers. Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Harris Posted August 10, 2013 Report Share Posted August 10, 2013 Brian, also check the solinoid is pulling the lever into the right position to engage the OD as per the workshop manual Graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wykeham 99 Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 Hi All Also having problems in removing the oil filler/level plug although I have gone as far as cutting an access hole in the transmission cover. I see mention of an '8 point socket' and extension bar - extension bar I have but what size socket and/or can the filler plug be modified with a hex a/f nut? Grateful to receive any thoughts/comments. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stanpartmanpartwolf Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Mac tools sells an 8-pt 7/16" AF 3/8" drive socket. Or simply use a 12-pt 1/2" AF socket. Best: find a 116511 TR5/6 gallery plug, and fit with a 5/16" Allen key or mounted hex bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Just to confirm SPMPW's response. The 8 point socket is 7/16" AF and 3/8" drive. Easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brian-nz Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Hi All Thank you for your thoughts/ ideas I took the car to auto electrician this week to sort out a few issues ( horn blowing fuse and indicators not working properly). The trip is about 4kms from home - a bit of nerves as car not running well and did stall at a set of traffic lights at the beginning of rush hour. Fortunately started ok and just kept the revs up for the rest of the trip. Rush hour in the city where I live is nothing really but panic sets in. Anyway - the trip must have got the oil etc flowing as the overdrive is working okay. Collected the car on Thursday afternoon and kept switching it in and out without any apparant issues. Attention now on tuning, putting the bonnet Dzus thingys in (and making them stay) and gearbox tunnel. Again thanks for your help Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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