I've heard enough to know I'm wron. My experience has mostly been with
towing 4x4's (such as CJs) most of which are lubricated primarily by the
output (or so I understand). I stand corrected. My humble thanks.
Bill Kelly wrote:
> 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
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