Drat!
Looks like if I want to enjoy a 'tingle' in the Healey, I'd better remove
the Smitty Toyota conversion from the BJ8 (which is now almost complete - a
full restoration) and install the original gearbox / overdrive unit.
Seriously, since it's being talked about here: I ran the 5-speed for a
couple of years before I took the BJ8 apart for restoration. I liked it
well enough to re-install it now, although the first Toyota was from a 2WD
pickup. I have sourced and installed a Supra unit now, so I'll be a good
resource for a comparison of the 2 Toyota transmissions in a Healey.
One thing - first time I drove it with the conversion I didn't like the
ratios at all. That started a quest for a 3:545 diff which, when installed,
made all the difference in the world. This is especially true of the stock
BJ8 gearbox - the 3:545 diff makes a huge difference because of the BJ8's
weird stock ratios. There are several BJ8's in my area with 3:545 diffs and
original gearboxes - much better with that diff.
Having said all that, I would agree that the overdrive in a Healey
contributes very much to the character of the car. If I did not also own a
very stock, gold concours tri-carb, I might never have considered the
conversion for the BJ8.
For the record, the tri-carb was converted to the later BJ8 clutch, and both
cars run lightened flywheels supplied by Bill Bolton. No problems with
either car in any circumstances.
Earl Kagna
Victoria, B.C.
BJ8, BT7 tri-carb
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric (Rick) Wilkins
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 11:38 AM
Cc: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Was Diffs, Now transmissions
Mine used to make me tingle too. I found that the switch was shorting
voltage to me as the ground.
On Jan 8, 2011, at 10:36 AM, Bob Spidell wrote:
> re: "... the most memorable story (according to me) the
> author wrote that when the driver flicked the switch in& out of
> overdrive, it
> made her tingle ..."
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