LH Overdrive

Technical MGB discussion
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David Ramsbotham
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Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:29 am
Forename: David
Surname: Ramsbotham
Location: Taunton, Somerset

LH Overdrive

Post by David Ramsbotham »

Hello All, can anyone tell me the differences between a “black” and a “blue” cover plate overdrive unit and if they are interchangeable?
Many thanks, David.
David Ramsbotham
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:29 am
Forename: David
Surname: Ramsbotham
Location: Taunton, Somerset

Re: LH Overdrive

Post by David Ramsbotham »

Think I ‘ve just answered my own question! Black goes with 1280 tpm speedo whereas blue goes with 1000 tpm speedo as drive gears in overdrive units are different.
Anything else? David
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steve00136
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Re: LH Overdrive

Post by steve00136 »

Found this link that explains the difference as well at https://mymgbinfo.wordpress.com/2019/01 ... ox-mgb-gt/ just taken my gearbox out.
steve livesley
Nottingham UK
1975 MGB Roadster https://mgb.tips
2003 MG ZT 260 V8 SE https://mgzt.info
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Peter Cresswell
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Re: LH Overdrive

Post by Peter Cresswell »

Although you can use a blue Overdrive in car that had a Black overdrive originally the speedo will be wildly inaccurate. In theory a Blue LH Overdrive can be rebuilt as a Black LH Overdrive and vv. The speedo drive gear needs changing, but the only way you can do this is to use a overdrive specialist as you need a lot of specialist tools to dismantle and reassemble the unit. There are not many specialists in the UK (3 I think) that deal with Laycock Overdrives, but I have used ODSpares in Rugby who I have found to be very good.
Pete
1969 MGB Roadster
2020 MG HS Exclusive
2007 Mercedes SLK
Plus 34 other cars since 1965
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