Martin OD Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 My MK 1 vitesse overdrive does not work and the first thing seems to be to top up the oil. It is a bit low and so I will try that first. Some people seem to think jacking up the front of the car and overfilling the gearbox is a good idea to allow the oil to seep into the OD. The car is then levelled and any excess oil is drained out of the filling plug. Is this a good idea or a bit of a Faff. Secondly I have a J type OD. Is this unusual? Most people seem to think I should have a D type. Any thoughts are welcome. Thirdly whist looking at the gearbox I noticed that this switch is loose. ( see photo). Although it has 2 spade connectors there are no wires for it. Is this a redundant reversing switch and should it be tight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 converting to a J type OD is a popular modification as its supposed to be stronger and certainly uses less current to operate. Not so unusual as this was the Triumph supplied set up on the mk4 Spitfire. I believe in your case the reverse light might be operated by another switch at the front of the gear change rod so the switch arrowed is redundant however it should still be tight with a gasket to the top cover as oil can come out... I would top up oil normally, go and have a cup of tea and then come back to recheck the level before replacing filler plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 after an oil level check and you have 12v at the solenoid .....check the setting of the inhibitor switch at the front of the remote try holding the gear stick to the left and right this might show the switch needs a tweek after that you may need to remove the solenoid (needs thin 1" af spanner ) these get gummed up its easy to remove the small 10mm circlip and shake out the inside piston give it a clean and refit the inside piston should make a rattle if you shake it ( the maracas test) sticky solenoids give the od a mind of its own in and out at random. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin OD Posted July 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 Thanks for the solenoid tip. That seems to be my next move. How do I get it out. Do I need to lower/raise the gearbox. It is very tight getting to it. I can't get a spanner on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Clark Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 I've fitted a J-type overdrive to my GT6 as they are stronger than the original D-type. The solenoid is very tight against the chassis rail. I can remove it, just about, using one of these spanners: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384448325657?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=f6soLub8Rty&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=_AAX02K1SFq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY It's tight but just about possible without lifting the gearbox and overdrive. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 used one on a spitfire mkIV and it was a struggle needs a extension and ratchet to drive the square hole you wont loose much oil do not use any grips on the sol body you can easily wreck it once its un nipped it will turn with the fingers Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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