Hi John,
here is the text from the instruction manual provided my Rootes:
Source - series 5 drivels hand book
____________________________________________
Over drive switch (if fitted)
the overdrive unit is controlled by a manually operated switch on the
steering column and by a switch on the gearbox top cover. The switch in
the gearbox is automatically operated when either 3rd or 4th gear is
selected so that the over-drive can be engaged only when the gear lever
is in either of those gears.
To engage or disengage the over-drive when the gear lever is in either
top or 3rd gear, move the manual switch in the appropriate direction.
the switch is of the self cancelling type, which means that, when the
overdrive or direct drive is selected, the switch will return to the off
position.
It is not necessary to move the clutch pedal when making these changes,
which should be carried out with the accelerator pedal depressed.
It is generally advisable to disengage overdrive switch before changing
from third to second gear, as this will ensure that the transmission is
not subjected to heavy loads due to by-passing direct third gear.
In the Unlikely event of the overdrive failing to disengage, reverse
gear must on no account be used.
________________________________________________
My OD is better if you back off the gas pedal slightly when you engage
OD and step on it a little when you release it say to overtake.
the clutch use when going down is not a bad idea as it takes the load
off the OD when moving from engaged to released.
regards
Jeff
In message <3D6FF5DD.42763093@igs.net>, John Slade <edalsj@igs.net>
writes
>Thanks for all the replies. The concencus is clearly to use the clutch.
>That's too bad, since one of the joys of driving the Healey with
>essentially the same overdrive is not having to use the clutch, and
>still getting smooth shifts.
>
>Jan Servaites emphasized using it only as fifth gear. I intend to use it
>on both third and fourth gears, and have verified that the gearbox
>safety switch is correctly adjusted to permit that. I have also wired an
>overdrive warning light into the far left warning light hole to advise
>me when the O/D circuit is powered. I have also tried downshifting from
>fourth and O/D to third and O/D, and vice versa, and it is quite smooth,
>as expected.
>
>Again, thanks for the comments and advice.
>
>John Slade
>Manotick, ON
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Jeff Howarth
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