SAAB had a freewheeling device back in the 60's. I don't know how long
it was used but the way it worked is quite cleaver. There was a drum
that had ramps built into the inner sides. An inner shaft turned on
roller bearings that would travel up the ramps and lock into place when
the engine RPM was greater than the transmission RPM. So it would spin
free when the engine rpm was the same as or below the transmission rpm.
One could shift every gear both up and down without using the clutch.
It was engaged by pulling out a handle in the middle under the dash.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: spitfires-owner@autox.team.net
[mailto:spitfires-owner@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bill Davies
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 5:52 AM
To: 'Scott Deakin'; 'Spitfire List'
Subject: RE: Freewheel Gearbox - Non LBC - Just BC
> -----Original Message-----
> From: spitfires-owner@autox.team.net [mailto:spitfires-
> owner@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Scott Deakin
>
> He then mentioned that
> it had 'this wonderful freewheel feature' which you operated from a
dial
> on the dashboard. Well, this got my curiosilty roused, since I had
> never heard of such a thing. Had a quick browse on the web and lo'
> there is some details on the old rover and their freewheel gearbox -
but
> nothing on how or what it actually does! <sigh>. Anyone here care to
> enlighten me? Or know of a source for this sort of information.
Hi Scott,
The freewheel is a kind of one way clutch - increasing engine
speed
will be transmitted through the driveline to the wheels, but there is no
engine braking effect. The Rover company was quite involved with this
kind
of engineering, free-wheel hubs were offered on some Landrovers. Rover
also
offered their own in-house built overdrives, but these weren't available
in
combination with the free-wheel option..
Soorry I can't offer any sources, this is just stuff I've picked up
reading
too many magazines down the years......
Cheers,
Bill.
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