The MGB in overdrive

[@metalman4141]

Overdrive is a brilliant idea , so useful on the MGB

[@JohnDavis-ed5sg]

I like overdrive - used to be on my Rover P4s and now on my Scimitar - but the 5 speed box killed it. A bit of dodgy copy by GKN here though - I mean why does Mr Idiot have to change down to third, whereas Mr Clever-Clogs can overtake in the same direct 4th? But of course it doesn't matter - it's all just fun now!

[@jcx5659]

I have a 74 B roadster with standard 4 speed. I found a junk yard in England who shipped me a Black Label trans with overdrive. Cost $150, and just under $400 for shipping. I took it apart, found virtually no wear and put it back together with new gaskets. Been running it for about 5 years now with zero issues.

[@loewesandberg5033]

Jesus what a gift!

[@metalman4141]

Overdrive is a brilliant idea , so useful on the MGB

[@americanpatriot2422]

A must have. Saved on wear and tear plus the ride so much quieter at modern day highway speeds.

[@jackflashvintagemotoring7586]

Hi there, I'm pleased you are enjoying the video, I must admit I never understood the benefits of overdrive till I found this video

[@rovercoupe7104]

A 1980 MG BGT I drove had overdrive on third and fourth gears. M.

[@trebushett2079]

Would have been better just to add an extra set of gears to gearbox

[@bertiewooster3326]

Nah overdrive is quick and no clutch action required

[@paulallen6915]

I've just had my Laycock overdrive rebuilt in Sheffield by ex-Laycock engineers. Lovely blokes too.

[@iman678888]

I LOVE the overdrive in my '69 MGB GT!

[@kevinparfitt6452]

Well you can't go wrong with overdrive, its like saving 1/2d a gallon!!!

[@jackflashvintagemotoring7586]

What cracked me up is they are saying the MGB was uncomfortable and tiring to drive, actually they where the opposite.

[@n1msu]

I owned a 1978 MGBGT for a year, the overdrive button was actually on the gear stick of the one I owned.

[@jackflashvintagemotoring7586]

Yes, I remember those and nearly bought one

[@n1msu]

probably just as well you didn't. I was on the motorway with it, and I had to make a small but rapid steering change at 70mph as somebody seemed like they were about to merge into my lane wthout seeing me (at night on the M40 between Oxford and Coventry, where there's no street lights. I ended up spinning the car and ending up in a ditch; I was fine, the 6 inch wide tyres absorbed the energy somehow, the car lived to see another day and is hopefully still going strong! Although this happened 14 years ago now.@@jackflashvintagemotoring7586

[@SandyCow]

I have taken my mgb roadster on many many long journeys, around the nc500 etc and overdrive has honestly been a must. When doing any sustained motorway driving in vehicles from this period it is just wonderful, it allows me to keep up with other cars and even overtake trucks etc without ever breaking above 3750rpm

[@americanpatriot2422]

As a bonus, less wear and tear on the drivetrain. Our MG s aren't getting any younger.

[@deanstanley5799]

Loved it on my triumph was perfect located in the gearbox looked the business

[@colewebb1425]

Ahoy captain Jack Flash permission to board midmann ship Cole at your service over drive it's a gift oh God I just always wanted one what a Christmas gift that kept giving :-D well I did have one car with overdrive 1955 Chevrolet 210 fourdoor with optional electric overdrive well captain flash my friend yes I injoyed this video thank you and I hope all is well for you have good day and coming week :-)

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Wonder if they were more or less expensive in real terms, when compared to the current Gear Vendors product?

[@nickb5391]

The Sunbeam Alpine sports had optional overdrive & it was on both 3rd & 4th gear

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video. That's why all 5 of my MGBs have overdrive units. A must have. Sadly they are getting harder to find.

[@jackflashvintagemotoring7586]

5 MGBs lucky man👍

[@americanpatriot2422]

@@jackflashvintagemotoring7586 I am very Blessed, Thank you. Here in California they were very plentiful and rust free for the most part.

[@steven-vn9ui]

Wonder why they not just add a 5th gear? I must be missing the point somewhere.

[@jackflashvintagemotoring7586]

Yes I have wondered that myself

[@philiprichards2354]

@@jackflashvintagemotoring7586 They did, once the technology caught up. That's why the overdive became extinct 😞

[@philiprichards2354]

They did, once the technology caught up. That's why the overdive became extinct 😞

[@televisionandcheese]

This is more advanced than just a 5th gear, it can work on any gear on a technical level, though usually restricted to work on just 3rd and 4th gears, which means it turns a 4 speed gearbox into a 6 speed! More gear ratios allow for greater acceleration rate and better economy, as you can keep the engine revolutions closer to the best speed for the intended action. In addition, these units not only add more gear ratios(speeds), but also have the advantage that engaging/disengaging overdrive is instant, and does not require you to push the clutch or move a gearstick to do it. This is excellent for spirited driving, as it means you can continually accelerate THROUGH the gearchange, while on a modern 5 or 6 speed conventional gearbox, you have "gaps" in acceleration, where you are unable to put down power due to having the clutch down as you move the gearstick. This also works in the reverse, where if you needed to change down a gear for sudden overtaking power, in a regular modern 5 speed gearbox, it would take a second or so for you to change a gear down from 5th to 4th for extra power. Meanwhile here, all that needs to be done is to flick a switch and put your foot down, and the engine revs raise up immediately and instantly give you the extra power you need.

[@televisionandcheese]

The reason these became extinct wasn't because regular 5 or 6 speed gearboxes were technically better in some way, but instead because these overdrive units came about popularity in the 70s, and around that time, cars were moving to Front Wheel Drive. Since the overdrive units would bolt on to the back of the gearbox before the drive shaft, there wasn't really any room to fit them to a FWD car, and instead a gearbox with more gears was eventually developed for those. This caused the overdrive units to fall out of popularity unfortunately.

[@bobkirby2603]

Was never that rice to afford a car with overdrive. Mine had to be 4 forward and just about a reverse phone car linkage problem. Good film thank you 👍👍

[@jackflashvintagemotoring7586]

My daily driver only has a for speed box. She gets a bit noisy at 80 though