mystery overdrive - can you help me identify it

cw

cw

Member
I received an overdrive in a trade.
It was removed from a 1931 Ford Model A that was restored/modified in the late 80s.
I would appreciate help identifying the make and model so that I can dig up a manual.
The only markings I have found are "DTS 115314 2L".

Thanks... Chris
 

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Looks like a Laycock, originally used on some English cars.
 

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I kind of thought Laycock with that finned box on the bottom,but those pictures are a little too busy to get details.With the leaves taking away the eye from the detail,and the bag of trash sitting on the back it is hard to tell.
 
Yes, this is a Laycock de Normanville. This is the second generation used in 1976 TR-6s onward and some Volvos before they built a 5-speed. I have one in my Slant T/S, been installed since 2008. For information go to the Triumph website. You just wire the solenoid to a on off switch and your good to go. Solenoid works on 6 or 12V. 26 or 27% increase.
Mine was built by a Rich Little in the mid 90's. Don't know if he still does the conversions.
 
Thank you
If you engage the solenoid it adds 27% regardless of gear including reverse? Is it instantly engaged unlike units with a lever that also have a freewheeling mode?
 
Not quite, The OD with work in all 3 forward speeds. You will damage it if you try to move backwards with the solenoid powered! When the car is on motion a hydraulic pump runs as long as the car is rolling. The solenoid just moves the hydraulic pressure to different ports to engage a cone clutch the drives a planetary gear set to get into OD.
You also go into or out of OD with the engine pulling the car, not decelerating. The engine adsorbs the change in speed. if you are decelerating the chassis will, which is not good.
Hope this helps.
 
The unit behaves just like an automatic transmission. Flip the switch and it shifts, no need to work the clutch. There is no freewheeling, you are either in direct or OD.
 
Herb Concord Ca said:
You also go into or out of OD with the engine pulling the car, not decelerating. The engine adsorbs the change in speed. if you are decelerating the chassis will, which is not good.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Herb, can you elaborate on the deceleration part?
I have a Fordor with this OD under construction, not yet running, and have not heard of this before.

Thanks for sharing your insights :)

Dan
 
Dan if you are coasting down the road, and flip the switch, the chassis will shutter with the speed change. This just doesn't feel good. you will feel this in the seat of your pants. It is better to have the engine pulling the chassis when you shift, the engine absorbs the speed change.
I only did this once and it didn't good!
 
Thanks Herb, I guess it will be obvious once the car is running :)

But I guess it means no engine braking by flipping the OD then.
 
Apologies for the ambiguous formulation, I meant to suggest it's a bad idea to use the OD for engine braking based on your experience above.
I do realize there is no freewheeling in this OD:)
 
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