SunnySpit

Yes, 'tis odd. Not least because when I need the noise to present itself to somebody the car purrs along sweetly. Gggggrrrr... I'm going to bite the bullet and take it in. I'll let you know what comes of it.

Central Sussex is close... can you elaborate Clive?

Ref: http://forum.tssc.org.uk/index.php?/topic/2019-spitfire-1500-overdrive-sounds-like-nails-in-a-food-processor/ OK thanks. Good stuff. Pete - yes I've had the drum off as a shoe dragging was a possibility in my mind too. Not so. If the bearings are worn (observe that the car has <32k on the clock) would the noise be sometimes (very nasty) and nothing at all at other times? Clive, thanks, you're right. Not an OD concern anymore, this was a red herring. I'm in Petersfield. Anybody near Petersfield got a hub removal tool that my man can borrow? Conrad.

OK thanks. Good stuff. Pete - yes I've had the drum off as a shoe dragging was a possibility in my mind too. Not so. If the bearings are worn (observe that the car has <32k on the clock) would the noise be sometimes (very nasty) and nothing at all at other times? Clive, thanks, you're right. Not an OD concern anymore, this was a red herring. I'm in Petersfield. Anybody near Petersfield got a hub removal tool that my man can borrow? Conrad. I'm moving this to rear axle so please respond over there. Thanks!

PS. Should I move this to drivetrain?

Update. Noise went away for months after being unceremoniously dragged off the M27 by the RAC during rush hour. Now the noise is back with me. It's more of a scrape than a grind and sounds like something dragging on the ground. Took it to the local shop and they reckon it's inside the offside rear hub, but they don't have the removal tool. Do I really need one? Conrad.

Thanks Pete, yes single rail+type J. I'll look at the cable as you suggest but judging from the noise I think it's likely something not quit right with the overdrive engaging. Conrad.

Hello! Newbie alert. Very proud owner of 1978 Spitfire, one lady owner from new..(seriously!) HOWEVER... drove home from seller (yes I will be asking them of course, but I thought I would page the oracle first in order to perhaps enrich my vocabulary when I do go back to the owner) and flicked the overdrive switch doing about 50-60 down the M23. Sounded a little like the first few milliseconds of a food processor when you're whizzing the soup for lunch... know what I mean? Suffice to say I quickly flicked it back and the noise stopped. Also, the noise has kicked off a handful of times on it's own since that first time, alleviated by swiftly depressing the clutch and continuing happily after re-engaging. Gearbox was reconditioned a few hundred miles ago, although that was around 12 months ago. Don't know if that included an overdrive overhaul as part of the work. I've not checked the oil level yet. Any insights before I ask difficult questions of the previous owner? Thanks! Conrad.