<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">OK have resisted commenting on this controversial topic for a few years.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Yes agree that OD Spares are a great resource and Dave is super helpful and responsive.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Long story about OD oil to add to the oil confusion.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I have made up a VS test rig for running a GB plus OD at different speeds.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Very useful for functional and OD oil leak hunting</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Several years ago, after a rebuild I filled with Castrol 30WT ND oil - no issues OD engaged fine.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">On same GB after a few days after running for 2-3 mins from cold, drained the oil (to fix a leak) and noted very significant foaming with the classic fish eye bubbles.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">The GB oil seemed foamier than the OD</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Repeated this test and same story.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Also 2 others observed the same foaming, and on one was so bad that OD would not engage.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">We all changed to MT90.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Out of curiosity wrote to Castrol about this.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">See reply below.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">
<p><i><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">"Thank you for contacting Castrol North<br>America.</span></i></p>
<p><i><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Castrol does not recommend our Non-Detergent for manual transmission applications, and we believe the foaming was likely caused<br>by some type of contamination, perhaps water in the<br>transmission.</span></i></p>
<p><i><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Unfortunately Castrol does not offer a manual transmission<br>fluid product in Canada or the US.</span></i></p>
<p><i><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Castrol Consumer Relations"</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">There certainly was no moisture in the tranny.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Not sure if foaming is a bad thing ? What is disturbing is that if I hadn't drained the oil I would have been none the wiser about the foaming. Maybe this is normal. I suspect that it disappears after some use and only evident soon after starting ?</span></p><p><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">To hopefully reduce pesky weeping leaks now use regular engine oil 20-50 VR1 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">rg</span></p><p><br></p>
<br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Oct 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM Mike Sinclair via Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div bgcolor="#ffffff">
<p><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Interesting, the comment on
Redline. I have used it in my ancient Honda and the gearbox
noises went away.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Mike</font></p>
<div>On 10/26/25 5:53 AM, Simon Lachlan via
Healeys wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Just
to keep the pot boiling……………when I was up at OD Spares
talking to Dave Twigger, I asked him which oil to use in my
OD. “20-50”, he replied very firmly. Over here, UK, OD
Spares is somewhat regarded in the same light as AH Spares.
Dave’s father-in-law worked for Laycock and, when they
stopped manufacturing ODs, he bought all the remaining stock
and started up on his own. (Or something similar…..Dave did
tell me but ages ago). Anyhow, I’d say that Dave and son are
our leading OD experts. His workshop is surprisingly small
and slightly scruffy but is stuffed with all the right
spares, test beds and spares. Michael, I recall you saying
the same.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I
have to say that I use 30 or 40 non-detergent, which he says
is fine. After fixing my OD, he put my 30 wt back in
perfectly happily. He was absolutely against Redline and
similar products…..<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Simon<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border-width:1pt medium medium;border-style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(225,225,225) currentcolor currentcolor;padding:3pt 0cm 0cm">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
Healeys <a href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net" target="_blank"><healeys-bounces@autox.team.net></a> <b>On
Behalf Of </b>Michael Salter<br>
<b>Sent:</b> 25 October 2025 18:42<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:gradea1@charter.net" target="_blank">gradea1@charter.net</a>; Bob Spidell
<a href="mailto:bspidell@comcast.net" target="_blank"><bspidell@comcast.net></a>; Healey team
<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank"><healeys@autox.team.net></a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] Overdrive Conundrum<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hank, I have never be able to find any
recommendation from Laycock De Normanville which recommend
any particular oil for one of their overdrive units.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wrote <span style="color:black;background:white">to the company (</span>back
in the day when one sent letters through the mail, many
decades ago) and asked what lubricant they recommended and
they replied that the lubricant was specified by the gearbox
manufacturer.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">This 30 weight non-detergent thing is
nothing more than an "old wives tale".<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div id="m_8180538750141781548ms-outlook-mobile-body-separator-line">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="m_8180538750141781548ms-outlook-mobile-signature">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">M<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<hr size="2" width="98%" align="center"></div>
<div id="m_8180538750141781548divRplyFwdMsg">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">
Hank Leach <<a href="mailto:gradea1@charter.net" target="_blank">gradea1@charter.net</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, October 25, 2025 12:52:20 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Michael Salter <<a href="mailto:michael.salter@gmail.com" target="_blank">michael.salter@gmail.com</a>>;
Bob Spidell <<a href="mailto:bspidell@comcast.net" target="_blank">bspidell@comcast.net</a>>;
Healey team <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: Re: [Healeys] Overdrive Conundrum</span>
<u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The required clearance for the sunwheel
is 016-.020" If you swapped out the bearing there could be
a difference from original. Moss and AH Spares sell the
various sized steel washers depending on the reading you
get. Typically, after many miles, that rear bronze washer
is cracked or worn and should be replaced.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The factory(when there was one)
recommended to only use <u>30W Non Detergent</u> oil as
others tended to foam and cause pressure issues. Also to
be sure it is properly topped up- #1-key reason to not
work.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before you tear it down, why not just
change the oil as recommended and see if there is a
difference-easiest fix at this point. If not the problem
then it needs to come out and repair. Hank<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><br>
-------------------- <br>
<br>
From: "Bob Spidell via Healeys" <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>>
<br>
Reply-To: "Bob Spidell" <<a href="mailto:bspidell@comcast.net" target="_blank">bspidell@comcast.net</a>>
<br>
To: "Michael Salter" <<a href="mailto:michael.salter@gmail.com" target="_blank">michael.salter@gmail.com</a>>,
"Healeys" <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>>
<br>
Sent: October 24, 2025 at 9:38 PM PDT <br>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Overdrive Conundrum <br>
Hi Michael,<br>
<br>
I rebuilt the gearbox and O/D probably about 7-8 years or
so ago. I've probably put close to 10K miles on it since,
but not too many since I moved to the Central Valley. For
the last few years it's been mostly short and day trips
every month or two so, it's been mostly sedentary. A few
months ago I took it out for a spin and noticed the O/D
wouldn't engage at first but would start working normally
after maybe 20 minutes of driving. In subsequent runs it's
more not engaging, until a few days ago I'd decided I
would likely have to pull the gearbox and O/D, but had to
pull it out to get it off the QuickJack underneath it and,
to my surprise it started to work OK again after 15-20
miles.<br>
<br>
I rebuilt the O/D myself, and I think I did OK except I
may not have gotten the planetary gears depth exactly
right; I didn't have a selection of thrust washers to try
so I just put the existing one back in. The only thing I
changed out was the thrust ring bearing, which might have
been a different width. The unit did have a very slight
vibration, barely noticeable through the floorboards but
otherwise operated perfectly. Now, when it works, it seems
fine. When I rebuilt the gearbox the rearmost thrust
washer was whacked (see pic), but of course I replaced it
(how that could happen and why the O/D worked is another
mystery). I couldn't get the GB and O/D to mate up so I
took them to BCS where David Nock got them together and
set the operating shaft lift. Besides trying a new relay
at Tom Monaco's suggestion I haven't done anything else to
it.<br>
<br>
Only thing I can guess is maybe the lever that the
solenoid lifts to turn the valve operating cam maybe slips
sometimes and not others.<br>
<br>
Bob<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On 10/24/2025 8:00 PM, Michael Salter
wrote:<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">That does defy logic Bob.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Can you give a little history, has it
always been this way or did you change something? Did
the problem develop slowly or over time?<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anything else that may be relevant?<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">M<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
<div id="m_8180538750141781548x_ms-outlook-mobile-body-separator-line">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="m_8180538750141781548x_ms-outlook-mobile-signature">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<hr size="2" width="98%" align="center"></div>
<div id="m_8180538750141781548x_divRplyFwdMsg">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">From:</span></strong>
Healeys <a href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net" target="_blank"><healeys-bounces@autox.team.net></a>
on behalf of Bob Spidell via Healeys <a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank"><healeys@autox.team.net></a><br>
<strong><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Sent:</span></strong>
Friday, October 24, 2025 8:41:36 PM<br>
<strong><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">To:</span></strong>
Healeys <a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank"><healeys@autox.team.net></a><br>
<strong><span style="font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Subject:</span></strong>
[Healeys] Overdrive Conundrum <u></u><u></u></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt">Listers,<br>
<br>
I have a problem with my BJ8's overdrive that defies
conventional logic: <br>
The O/D will not engage when the drivetrain is cold,
but begins to <br>
function more-or-less normally as the drivetrain gets
fully heated-up <br>
(15-20m on a warm day). I've checked the functioning
of the electricals; <br>
i.e. when not running I can a) disconnect the coil
ground so as not to <br>
fry the Pertonix Ignitor, b) place the gearbox in 3rd
or 4th and c) <br>
close either, or both, the dash switch and/or the
switch on the shift <br>
knob --they're wired in parallel so either one will
engage the O/D, but <br>
both need to be in off/open condition to
disengage--and I can hear the <br>
solenoid click firmly (this pretty much rules out the
switches). I have <br>
already replaced the scuttle relay to no effect (I
have had them get <br>
flaky). AFAIK, the throttle/'kickdown' switch only
comes into play when <br>
disengaging, and seems to work when the O/D does
engage.<br>
<br>
My thinking is, if the pump is failed or failing the
O/D might work when <br>
the fluid is cold but cease to function as the fluid
heats up and thins <br>
out (I've used Redline MT-90 successfully for over
100K miles or more; <br>
it's equivalent to 50wt engine oil). But, the O/D not
engaging when cold <br>
(somewhat) refutes this theory. If the outlet check
valve on the pump <br>
was somehow boogered I would expect either a) cold
function only, or b) <br>
no function at all. Ditto the solenoid; I'd expect it
to get flakey when <br>
hot and it does 'click' reliably (when cold). I can
imagine the lever on <br>
the operating cam slipping, but wouldn't expect that
to vary with <br>
temperature (or to work at all, actually). Actuating
shaft lift was <br>
correctly set at rebuild. I do have a DWM 'uprated'
accumulator <br>
installed, and the O/D engages within 2 seconds when
it functions.<br>
<br>
Anyone had this condition, or have a theory as to why
it behaves this <br>
way? Next step would be to remove the console and
confirm I have good <br>
oil pressure (but if I do, then what?).<br>
<br>
TIA,<br>
Bob<br>
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</blockquote>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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