A type overdrive that has been sitting for years

[Got_All_4]

I bought the 69 TR6 last year and I'm planning to do the tear down this winter. But before I do I would like to test the overdrive. This car has been sitting since 1982 in a controlled environment and wondering what should be done to test it? Should i simply put the rear end up and run the engine and put everything in gear and watch and listen what happens? By the way it is not driveable.

 

[Moseso]

That'll work. When I was putting mine together and wanted to see how/if the OD was working, (the car hadn't come off the jack stands yet) I started it up, put it in top gear and operated the OD switch. The speedometer changed speed, up and down, as the OD went in and out.

You really want to at least look at -- and probably change -- the motor and tranny oil before you run this Rip Van Winkle car.

 

[RonMacPherson]

Raise both ends of the car. Try to support it with jackstands or such so that is is level. Then after checking fluids and turning your fuses in the fuse box, test in place.

Reason why I say level and not rear end elevated; is the overdrive shares fluid with the trans. If you have the rear end elevated and the fluid slightly low it may starve the pickup for the overdrive pump...

 

[DougF]

If you put the car in gear(2nd,3rd, or 4th), turn on the ignition and flip the switch, it will at least tell you if your solenoid is working. If not,check your connections. If you can hear it click, put it in the air as described. If it does not kick in when testing, you may have to pull the transmission tunnel and try to activate it manually by pushing the lever on the passenger side by hand.

Good Luck!

 

[Got_All_4]

Ok very good info. The transmission cover is off. If the overdrive unit shares fluid with the trany is it regular gear lube? Would it be a good idea to change it before testing?

 

[TRDejaVu]

You really want to at least look at -- and probably change -- the motor and tranny oil before you run this Rip Van Winkle car.

 

[DougF]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to change it. I use non detergent 50 weight, others prefer non detergent 30 weight.