[Healeys] Overdrive Deceleration

[Quinn, Patrick]

G'day

I can't resist putting my 2 bobs worth into this discussion.

>From my experience from 39 years of Austin-Healey ownership I have found the
Laycock de Normanville to be an extremely robust piece of machinery providing
of course it is in good working order.

The thought of people being delicate with the OD I find quite amusing. An
Austin-Healey is meant to be enjoyed and driven spiritedly. Sorry but there is
no comparison between the style of driving called for from an Austin-Healey to
that of a Volvo and I don't mean any disservice to Volvo owners.

The OD cut-out switch on the BN3 is set up so that when I push the accelerator
it cuts out of OD into direct drive and thus provides instant and strong
acceleration. It's a buzz! Conversely when I am accelerating strongly in
direct top and want to change into OD it's a simple matter of flicking the
switch and momentarily lifting off. And yes I coast and slow while in gear and
OD.

The OD is one of the magic features of an Austin-Healey and you should all get
out on the open road and drive these cars as they were designed to be driven.

Hoo Roo

Patrick Quinn
Sydney, Australia

-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Charlie Baldwin
Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 11:24 PM
To: Greg Mandas; healey list
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Overdrive Deceleration

Greg,
It seems that Austin-Healeys are one of the few makes that used a system to
allow the overdrive to drop out only on acceleration.  I've owned several
Volvos with Laycock overdrives, both D and J type, and there was no provision
for this on any of them.  One car that was in my possession for a while, an MG
TD with Volvo B18 engine and D type OD trans. would actually chirp the tires
if you flipped off the OD switch when decelerating, so using the clutch made
it much less harsh.  The Volvo owner's manuals actually tell you to use the
clutch if the engagement or disengagement of the overdrive was too harsh.  No
mention of damaging the unit; they seemed to be more concerned about comfort.
The overdrive is, of course, is one of the main parts of the drive train and
Volvos of that period were known for their longevity, more so than most any
other brand.  There is a Volvo 1800 on Long Island, NY that has over 2.5
million miles on it.  That car has a Laycock OD unit.  Volvo also probably put
more Laycock overdrives into cars than any other manufacturer.
Perhaps there is something about the A type overdrive in an Austin-Healey that
makes it more fragile, but I believe that it is very similar to a D type,
though more robust.
Charlie
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