Message text written by "Westerdale, Bob"
> A recent thread asked the question 'why did so few US delivered
>lbc's have Overdrive?'
>The consensus seemed to be that most USA drivers figured the Laycock unit
>would be as problematic as the early Ford and Chevy units, and therefore
to
>be avoided.
> Lately, though, it seems like almost every OD equipped lbc has had
>at least one of these:
>
> electrical/solenoid problems
> mechanical binding/overheating
> slippage
> release problems
> bronze slush in the oil
> drips, from minor to a torrent
> noises
> etc...
<
Bob, Bob, Bob. I think this is not just a bit overstated. Of course you
only hear about the problematic ones. You didn't list the transmissions
that have had similar problems.
As for myself, my A-type in the TR3 AND the J-type in the TR6 have been
problem free. But it would be a waste of bandwidth to send a post about
what my cars are NOT doing wrong.
And even so, if we were a group to eschew mechanical issues we would all be
driving modern cars.
So, although they may not be 100% trouble free they are mostly trouble free
and what little trouble they may be is well worth it for the miles of
pleasure they give between.
>So then, I ask why nobody has tried one of the Toyota 5 speed conversions
>the guy from New Zealand is selling?
Well, let's see: There's price - the conversion ain't cheap. The gear
boxes still command a fair chunk of change at the wrecking yard and the kit
is quite dear itself. And for those of us who already have the O/D units
in functioning order it is really hard to justify yanking it out in favor
of a $2000 upgrade.
Besides, there are a few Toyota conversions out there. A friend of mine
put one in his Austin Healey. It is a slick installation - and there's the
novelty of it.. And it gives him longer legs in 5th. But he was facing a
major rebuild of the old box so there you go.
But your dispareging comments about the originals is ill founded based on a
few, high profile instances. The S-T box with the Lacock/DeNormanville
overdrive is a fine unit and in it's time was among the best to be had.
Dave Massey
57 TR3 (A-type - leaks less than the engine)
71 TR6 (J-type - the O/D doesn't leak, the input shaft does)
80 TR8 (Fine Rover 5-speed)
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