Section : Overdrive

Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

Posted By : Arthur Kaminski, 17-Apr-2007, 09:06pm

• Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

  Posted By : John Davies, 17-Apr-2007, 09:17pm

  Arthur,
  I fitted a rocker switch (Less likely to catch on glove) to the steering wheel, fed by a 'curly-whirly' length of three core cable, so that I can use the O/drive without taking my hands off the wheel. See below.
  
  John

  
  
  Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

  • Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

    Posted By : Arthur Kaminski, 17-Apr-2007, 09:34pm

    Wow, I love the interior layout, although I'd like to make mine slightly more classic looking. No disrespect - for a racer (which I suspect yours is!) yours looks the business!!!
    
    One question: the ignition button you've fitted (or have you?) on the centre dash, do you still have the key insert under the steering column?
    
    Regards,Arthur
    Thanks for the response!

    • Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

      Posted By : John Davies, 17-Apr-2007, 09:57pm

      No key, Arthur.
      They're honest in the paddock!
      And anyway, starting it requires a certain switch sequence.
      
      But for a road car, wire a start button through your steering/ignition lock.
      
      John
      
      

      • Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

        Posted By : Mark Hellier, 17-Apr-2007, 10:20pm

        Arthur
        
        Why not fit a mk2 GT6 steering column as the mk 2's had the overdrive switch on a stalk - just like the indicator and main beam dip switch - so there are three stalks on the mk 2 column - where as I presume yours is a mk 3 which went to a switch in the gear stick.
        
        Never really compared the columns between mk2 & 3 but I'm sure Triumph did not reinvent the wheel so you might even be able to use the overdrive switch out of the mk 2 column and graft them it into the later column.
        
        It would certainly look more in keeping with a standard look and feel

        • Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

          Posted By : Arthur Kaminski, 17-Apr-2007, 10:47pm

          Very well suggested. This, along with tidying up the engine bay for the MkIII, is my Summer project so I'll definitely look into it.
          
          Thanks again,
          Arthur

          • Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

            Posted By : Chris Taylor, 18-Apr-2007, 08:18am

            If you want a Mk1 or Mk2 style overdrive switch on the steering column, you do not need to change the column. You just need the switch and right hand half of the column switch cowl. The one you have now will just have one slot to go over the indicator stalk; the one for overdrive is deeper and also has a hole behind the indicator stalk slot to mount the column switch. Don't think anyone supplies these new, but the switches and cowls are available secondhand, both from usual parts suppliers and on ebay. The same switch and cowl was used on the GT6 1,2, Vitesse, Spitfire 1-3, TR4,5, early 6.
            You will need to do some extra wiring to get from the column to the existing overdrive wiring loom, but it's just two wires. I prefer the column switch (don't have to take hands off wheel to change into or out of overdrive) but most seem to think the gearknob switch is more logical and use friendly. (Much easier to knock overdrive out when changing down so it does not re-engage when you go back into 3rd or 4th, although a very neat relay box design was shown in the Courier last year to overcome this issue).
            Why do you want to change? I think Canley (or was it someone else) has a new or improved gearknob switch, and if you want an alternative gearknob switch, SC parts market an alloy gearknob with toggle switch on the side, as used on rallying Austin Healeys. Quite neat and sporty and easy to operate.

            • Very simple question from a very new Triumph enthusiast!

              Posted By : Arthur Kaminski, 18-Apr-2007, 08:23am

              Thanks Chris.
              Very useful advice - I'll look into this.
              
              I think I'll be starting up a site following all the work I do on the car, so hopefully you'll get a chance to see what I end up doing!
              
              Thanks again,
              Arthur!