mamoose124
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Recently, in a thread here I learned that some owners with overdrive transmissions use the clutch as they switch into and out of overdrive. Others find it necessary to use the clutch only when shifting out of overdrive.
What I am more interested in is how one should properly use the overdrive transmission to shift up and down through the gears. I have had several vintage British sports cars before they were vintage cars. In 1960, when I was 23, I owned a 1953 TR-3 small mouth; in 1968, I owned a 1963 Sunbeam Alpine Series II, in 1974, I owned an MGB (don’t recall the year; it was a beater, anyway). None of these cars had overdrive. Thus, while I am relatively competent in shifting a regular four-speed transmission, I know nothing about shifting an electric overdrive transmission. My 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Series II is currently in Smitty’s garage in San Diego undergoing repairs. Smitty’s in putting in a differential, fixing the clutch hydraulics, inspecting the brakes, installing a new soft-top, installing a new floor mat, installing seat belts, and installing two door mirrors. Then it gets shipped home to me here in Virginia. This car has a factory-installed overdrive. I need to know how to shift an overdrive transmission.
What I gather from talking and reading about electric overdrive transmissions is that they work in third and fourth gear only. My assumption is that this means if one were to switch on the overdrive when in first or second gear, nothing would happen. Is this correct? Or would something catastrophic happen if this were to occur? Next, I have been told and read that you should never switch on the overdrive in reverse or you will tear up the transmission. Is this true?
Finally, lets get to the business of how to properly shift using overdrive. I assume that when one is in third gear and shifts into overdrive (3rd over?), it acts like a mini shift to a higher gear and the rpms drop. Then, as one accelerates to the appropriate higher rpm, one would then shift into fourth gear. After accelerating in fourth gear to an appropriate higher rpm, one would again shift into overdrive (would you call it 4th over?).
Or is the scenario more like this: while in third gear, after accelerating up to a certain rpm, one would shift into overdrive (3rd over). Then, as one approaches the proper lower rpm for fourth gear, switch out of overdrive and shift into fourth gear. Thence, after accelerating to an appropriate higher rpm, shift a final time into overdrive (4th over).
So, now you have what is in my head about the proper method of shifting up using third and fourth gear and overdrive.
You can imagine my thinking about down shifting. I won’t go into it here. Just give my your verbal account of how to properly shift up and down using overdrive. Or refer me to a document that describes the process.
Thanks you overdrive aficionados for putting me straight on this.
What I am more interested in is how one should properly use the overdrive transmission to shift up and down through the gears. I have had several vintage British sports cars before they were vintage cars. In 1960, when I was 23, I owned a 1953 TR-3 small mouth; in 1968, I owned a 1963 Sunbeam Alpine Series II, in 1974, I owned an MGB (don’t recall the year; it was a beater, anyway). None of these cars had overdrive. Thus, while I am relatively competent in shifting a regular four-speed transmission, I know nothing about shifting an electric overdrive transmission. My 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Series II is currently in Smitty’s garage in San Diego undergoing repairs. Smitty’s in putting in a differential, fixing the clutch hydraulics, inspecting the brakes, installing a new soft-top, installing a new floor mat, installing seat belts, and installing two door mirrors. Then it gets shipped home to me here in Virginia. This car has a factory-installed overdrive. I need to know how to shift an overdrive transmission.
What I gather from talking and reading about electric overdrive transmissions is that they work in third and fourth gear only. My assumption is that this means if one were to switch on the overdrive when in first or second gear, nothing would happen. Is this correct? Or would something catastrophic happen if this were to occur? Next, I have been told and read that you should never switch on the overdrive in reverse or you will tear up the transmission. Is this true?
Finally, lets get to the business of how to properly shift using overdrive. I assume that when one is in third gear and shifts into overdrive (3rd over?), it acts like a mini shift to a higher gear and the rpms drop. Then, as one accelerates to the appropriate higher rpm, one would then shift into fourth gear. After accelerating in fourth gear to an appropriate higher rpm, one would again shift into overdrive (would you call it 4th over?).
Or is the scenario more like this: while in third gear, after accelerating up to a certain rpm, one would shift into overdrive (3rd over). Then, as one approaches the proper lower rpm for fourth gear, switch out of overdrive and shift into fourth gear. Thence, after accelerating to an appropriate higher rpm, shift a final time into overdrive (4th over).
So, now you have what is in my head about the proper method of shifting up using third and fourth gear and overdrive.
You can imagine my thinking about down shifting. I won’t go into it here. Just give my your verbal account of how to properly shift up and down using overdrive. Or refer me to a document that describes the process.
Thanks you overdrive aficionados for putting me straight on this.
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