Overdrive problems...

R

Ruairidhdunford

0
Hi all,

just picked up our new Highwayman from Aviemore, drove her back in glorious sunshine, with snow topped mountains, great stuff!

The engine is going fine but during the last 30 miles or so the overdrive stopped working. I could feel it kick in when the engine was on overrun but as soon as I accelerated again it wouldn't work. Once or twice, after a few minutes of the flicking the switch, it came on. Anyone have any experience of this and how to overcome it?

All thoughts welcomed...

Cheers

Ruairidh
 
Will try again with larger photos....

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wow ,loverly scenery, and a cool commer [^].
the o/d problem sounds like it could be low on g/box oil,
worth checking the electrical connections as well.
good luck :)

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off no.3"
 
my overdrive stopped working alltogether! after doing it's I'm working I'm not working routine,Tim(commeracer) traced the power from & to from & to etc with a circuit tester,at some point I said what are these 2 terminals behind the seats along the middle of bulkhead where the lid comes down on the engine,they had basiclly come apart,took us about 10 mins to sort out :)

"RAN"the van & N0.1
 
Very unusual cabover, never seen one like that :) Looks to be in excellent condition.
We are hoping to go to the anual Rootes meet at Moffat, I hope some of our Scottish members can make it. Steve Williams will be posting details soon :p
 
If you can hear a clicking (rock the lever in the H bracket with ignition on and engine off) then the electrics are working and the solenoid is throwing out its pushrod.
If no click then its electrical.
If it does click then its hydraulic:
1) probably just oil - use 80 grade (nothing slippier) and nothing with additives as they gradually eat into the yellow metal bearing casings
2) Maybe pump, can be replaced or overhauled with new vanes - check tolerances withe feeler gauge. I dont know what they should be but it will say somewhere in a Laycock manual.
3) Possible cone clutch, in which case you may as well overhaul the whole unit.

Cheers
Jules

RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
 
Hi Jules,

thanks for your advice, will check this also. I have read in the books I have that the gearbox oil is the same as the engine oil, i.e. 20/50 (also that the O/D shares this oil with the gearbox), the van is a 1974 2500 with Rootes 1725cc engine. Can you confirm that it should be 20/50 or is SAE 80 the correct stuff??

Cheers

R
 
The interior is very much a home made affair, celebrating the 1980s in all it's glory!!

Will post some photos when I next get out in the light.

Cheers

R
 
Id stick with the monograde unless youve had your box recently rebuilt to OE tolerance, and even then personally I would.
In any event its difficult to find 20/50 oil without acid additives, I think only Castrol & Comma still do a classic recipe, and acid additives are definitely bad for the bearings in the O/D, shortening their life considerably.

Cheers
Jules

RatSport www.ratsport.co.uk
 
Thanks for the advice Jules, I am now stuck with a dilema as the previous owner assures me that he always used 20/50 in the box (and this is what is in it at present), he has had the camper since the late 1970's.

Does anyone else have any experience of oil use in the gearbox, what type? Any problems?

Any experiences welcome...

Cheers

Ruairidh
 
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