Pesky Overdrive

 Last post mentioned the charging system not working.  Local shop that rebuilt generator said it's likely a bad voltage regulator.  They did confirm the generator works fine when we took it out for them to check it.


So we arranged a consult with Rick Astley, an electrical engineer who has written a book about MG electrical systems.  He was very helpful.  We had been correctly polarizing the generator field windings for positive ground, but had done it without the engine running.  At Rick's suggestion we tried it again while the engine was running, and how it starting charging!  As Rick says, it needed an electrical Kick in the A**!



No red light, ammeter goes to right towards positive current.  Decided to stop by the shop that rebuilt the generator to tell them what fixed the issue - the owner was gone, so I shared the story with his technician of over 40 years experience.  He said "I could have told you that!".  Oh well.


Next we installed the drivers seat to be able to drive the car at speed to exercise overdrive.  Apparently no one uses the original seat tracks and instead uses universal tracks from Speedway, so we bought a pair of those.  Neither the seats nor the floors had holes in them for the installation, so you are going blind trying to figure out placement of the tracks and seat.  We got the drivers seat installed, although we don't like it's position, will probably move it back.  But we will figure that out with the rest of the interior, don't need multiple sets of holes in floor and seats!



We installed the spare tire cover so we had someplace to mount a license plate, then off we go!



Car runs very well.  Shifts nicely.  Doesn't overheat.  But we cannot get the overdrive to engage.  Even disconnected the solenoid that activates overdrive and engaged the lever by hand on the side of the transmission (while going 30 or so mph) and could not get it to engage.  Consulted with Macy's Garage, Triumph experts in OH, and they confirmed the problem is probably internal to the overdrive.  Macy's was willing to rebuild it for us, but lots of $$$.  We found an independent transmission guy about 1/2 mile from the shop that rebuilds semi truck transmissions who is willing to tackle it.  For less $.  So transmission is now coming out!  Plan to replace clutch and release bearing while we have it out.


Meantime, we found a guy who says he can restore our steering wheel for a reasonable price.  It's headed to upstate NY soon.



The trunk lid is now in place.  We started interior installation behind the seats, like solving a big puzzle.  Couple of more pictures of the car:







Remaining big ticket items include tires, refurbishing wheels, and front bumper assembly.  Found a decent price on front bumper chrome on eBay, from Vietnam, which we ordered.  Have a friend with older wide whitewall tires he is replacing that we will install as an interim solution.  And need to find source to sand blast and hopefully powder coat wheels body color.  


Good progress!



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