MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Might be a silly question, but I'm a fairly new MG owner and mine didn't come with a manual. When I change from Normal to Overdrive and vice versa I lift off on the gas briefly. Is this correct, or necessary? Or can I slip in and out of overdrive "foot to the floor"?
Thanks
Steve
Foot to the floor although I am careful not to shift down with or without OD so as not to over rev. But going up seems to be not problem at all.
Mike
I've rebuilt a couple of mine & the area of friction apply material on the slider is not that great. I'm sure it will last for an undetermined time with foot to the floor engage/disengage but, that's probably a spendy piece to replace. I try to make it as smooth as possible when using it & make it live a little longer. Just my 2 cents.
What year car? If it is a later car with a "Blue Label" O/D unit, I would be very wary of the "foot to the floor" shift into O/D - especially in 3rd gear. It is the easiest way to bust the thrust washer! (Don't ask me how I know!)
Shifting into O/D I tend to lift a little, shifting out I dip the clutch. This is more for ride quality than concern for the O/D .
check out this site for info.
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/news/news363.html
With my older Volvos, that had a similar OD, and the switch in the gear lever, I just tried to feather the gas enough to take some pressure off the transmission as I shifted, and to ensure that the revs were correct for the gear I was going into.
You just don't want an abrupt change in engine speed while changing into or out of overdrive, and you don't want to completely de-clutch.
I always use the clutch shifting out of OD and most of the time going in. I know it's not necessary, but why put the extra strain on the drivetrain?
How many times have you forgotten to shift out of OD, come to a stop and gotten that surprise "extra" shift when you go from 2nd to 3rd?
MGBGUY Wrote:
Thanks for the replies. A few differences of opinion. Does anyone have the definitive answer though i.e. what did it say in the owners handbook?
Steve
I have always pushed the clutch when using the overdrives in my Healeys,MGBs and Triumphs and NEVER had any issues with anything with the overdrive breaking
even in my Corvette with the 4 speed OD trans I did the same thing, these transmissions are known to be crap...I put 250k miles on it with no problems
I use to just flip the switch and posted as such here not too long ago.
Instead of depressing the clutch I would use the accelerator to speed the engine up just a little as the OD went back into "normal" and let off just a tad when going into OD, but even after more than a few years of practice I didn't always hit it just right.
The whole idea is to reduce the shock loads on the clutch inside to OD and with consideration for the expense of overhauling same so I have started just slightly releasing the clutch when making the changes. Doing so obviously reduces the shock and might even help get more miles out of the OD.
Jack
I disagree w/ john twist in 2 items -1. is use of od is a good option in 3rd when off the highway (speeds under 60 or so) while your driving in the rain - a simple flick of the OD lever and your back into 3rd w/ more traction and control.(and don't tell me you don't go there!) 2nd- I use non detergent 30 W oil for OD lubrication. That all