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Riders on the storm... My 1956 TR3


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If you can wrangle a length of cord or wire down and under the bottom (layshaft) gears and try lifting the gear cluster. Try at each end. If there is any up and down movement the shaft and bearings ha

Hi all, 15 years after buying my TR6, a spitfire, an abandoned TR6 project and many Land Rovers later, I'm finally back in a TR! A 1956 TR3 with a rather flashy colour scheme. A huge thanks

I just need to paint the chassis where its sitting on the lift pads but other than that...  Mission accomplished! 

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Its sunny, yay! 

Found a spare 20min to test drive the car. 

OD works perfectly when cold but after 10min of driving it stops engaging. 

When I push on the od lever, I can feel tension in it from the solenoid but it can't move to the point of engagement. It feels like something inside is stopping its travel, maybe something that expands with heat? 

Edited by EliTR6
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I loosened the solenoid arm and took the car for a spin this afternoon.

The lever won’t budge past the adjustment hole with the car moving forward and OD won't engage.

I’ve tried it in gear, clutch in, in neutral, clutch in and out and it always stops at the same place if the car is moving forward. High revs, low revs, no difference.

At a standstill, engine running, it sticks slightly at the same point but it’s easy to push the lever a lot further down (around 1cm extra travel).

So am I right in thinking something is blocking the operating valve when the accumulator is pressurised by the drivetrain? Or is it more likely to be a not enough pressure issue? Which would explain why it only works with cold oil (or is it before pressure build-up from driving?)

How hard is it to remove, check and reinstall the valve assembly without making things worse? 

Cheers

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20 minutes ago, roy53 said:

you could try a different oil.

may be the one in there is getting to thin when hot.

Thanks Roy. I thought about that but dynolite gear 40 is what is specified by the firm who supplied the box so it should work. 

I'll spend some time on the car this afternoon. I'm getting very well acquainted with the gearbox tunnel :huh:

 

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1 minute ago, EliTR6 said:

Thanks Roy. I thought about that but dynolite gear 40 is what is specified by the firm who supplied the box so it should work. 

I'll spend some time on the car this afternoon. I'm getting very well acquainted with the gearbox tunnel :huh:

 

Then your next move should be take it over to them and show them the issue.

An oil change is easy to try and only 10 euro. if it dosen't work change back to dynolite  before returning it.

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22 minutes ago, roy53 said:

Then your next move should be take it over to them and show them the issue.

An oil change is easy to try and only 10 euro. if it dosen't work change back to dynolite  before returning it.

I wish :wacko: I would have to quarantine for 2 weeks. I haven't been over to the UK to see clients, friends or family for months now. Crazy. The supplier has been very helpful but I want to avoid removing the box and shipping it over if possible. 

I think you're onto something with the oil change though. Maybe the oil temperature is a red herring. There could be something floating around inside and it takes a while to obstruct the valve. When the pressure drops, it falls back down letting the valve function normally. 

 

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1 hour ago, roy53 said:

sorry Eli i didn't realise it was a UK company.

Not really an option for you.

Hopefully they'll have temperature checks at the border soon. 

I normally come over once a fortnight. Easy peasy ;)

Drove 5mi, only managed to get it into od once. Every other attempt the invisible stop was there. 

 

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If the pump wasn't generating enough pressure, the lever would have full travel but od wouldn't engage? 

Plan is to remove and check valve assembly this afternoon then change the oil. 

Fingers crossed! 

Edited by EliTR6
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Lighr rain forecast here this pm so I had a Sophie's choice : tr on axle stands facing outwards so if for whatever reason it drops it will drive up the driveway or facing inwards so I don't gas myself? I went with inwards. 

I haven't run it properly yet but it seems solid enough. 

How long would be enough to get the oil nice and warm before draining it ? 

I removed the valve, all looks OK. The plug was slightly rounded so I had to gently hammer a socket onto it with a rubber screwdriver handle. I hope the socket will be OK, it's brand new and the set was expensive.

Before taking it apart I tested the overdrive again. I could feel the resistance building up very quickly and the invisible stop came back almost immediately. 

How much force on the lever is normally required to push the box into od? 

160234663952978.jpg

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I turned the wheels by hand with the operating valve plug off. After a few turns I could see oil rising to the top so the pump is good. 

I then drained the oil. Lots of small filings but to be expected given the box has been freshly rebuilt. 

Nothing in the gauze filter in the od. 

160235243065742.jpg

160235251330449.jpg

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I'm still hoping it's an adjustment issue... 

Hopefully someone can answer this question :

Car on axle stands, solenoid pinch bolt undone, in gear, rpm over 2k. 

How much force on the actuating lever is required to manually engage od?

Could an airlock be causing my issues? 

Cheers 

 

Edited by EliTR6
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You could try phoning Overdrive Repair Services at Sheffield who specialise in them . I understand they are very helpful, or email them for advice.

0114 2482632

email info@overdrive-repairs.co.uk

Ralph.

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I would also be worried about that much swarf in a newly re built gearbox.

Ralph

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Quick update. Refilled with fresh oil, checked the operating valve travel which lined up nicely with the adjustment hole and had the solenoid connected and working perfectly. 

Took it for a spin, overdrive worked  and then the problem came back quickly. I could feel the difference in travel on the lever between the car at a stop and on the move. 

Got home, engine off, ignition on, in 2nd with clutch in I flicked in and out of od a fee times checking the lever travel. The gearbox made a pump noise and the car moved forward slightly. 

I think it's box out time unfortunately. 

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My overdrive was very hard to adjust after an overhaul by a bodger. I took the whole gearbox up to Sheffield and delivered it in the evening. A night in a BnB , walk the dog. collect the box in the afternoon and home. ORS have a test bed so it is all adjusted and working. Probably too much for you with your new family. The adjustment of the lever can be carried out by hand while you are moving. Push it forward carefully until it connects. It does not have to line up exactly. Good luck Richard & B

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On 10/12/2020 at 9:48 AM, Richardtr3a said:

My overdrive was very hard to adjust after an overhaul by a bodger. I took the whole gearbox up to Sheffield and delivered it in the evening. A night in a BnB , walk the dog. collect the box in the afternoon and home. ORS have a test bed so it is all adjusted and working. Probably too much for you with your new family. The adjustment of the lever can be carried out by hand while you are moving. Push it forward carefully until it connects. It does not have to line up exactly. Good luck Richard & B

Thanks Richard. I've done all that but there seems to be a problem inside the od unit. 

Is this enough clearance to get the plate off, spring, non return valve and accumulator piston out? I can't lift the box any higher. Doesn't look easy with the floor pan bang in the middle. 160269981481249.jpg

160269986890335.jpg

Edited by EliTR6
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If you disconnect the LH front engine mount and jack that side will it twist the engine up high enough for the plate and long accumulator spring it holds, to come out over the edge of the floor?

What are you expecting to gain by getting inside there?

Have you read this article?

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c6dec53b10f25d4edf0b3f7/t/5d01960236ef08000177a99f/1560385028433/A+Type+Overdrive+Part+II.pdf

Peter W

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3 minutes ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said:

If you disconnect the LH front engine mount and jack that side will it twist the engine up high enough for the plate and long accumulator spring it holds, to come out over the edge of the floor?

What are you expecting to gain by getting inside there?

Have you read this article?

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c6dec53b10f25d4edf0b3f7/t/5d01960236ef08000177a99f/1560385028433/A+Type+Overdrive+Part+II.pdf

Peter W

Hi Peter, 

Yes, thank you. I've been reading every article and forum post I can find these past few weeks. 

A couple of theories are a faulty non return valve or a stuck accumulator piston. 

I don't really know what I'm doing yet but I'm figuring it out step by step. 

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