Amazon: 1964 Amazon 122S restoration project

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Juular

The car continues to drive really nicely. I have however encountered a problem with the overdrive.

Since getting the car on the road OD has worked fine at all speeds and engaged nice and positively. However it stopped working last week. I noticed that the solder joint on the solenoid had broken off, so I simply removed the solenoid, redid the joint with a new wire, and refitted it.

Then the problem started. Engine off, the solenoid still activates in 4th, you can hear the clunk. However it's now not working at higher speeds. Around the streets it works as normal, but on a motorway at 60-70 it simply does nothing.

I found that with no pressure on the throttle pedal it will activate at 70, but as soon as I touch the accelerator it jumps out of OD.

Oil has recently been checked and a small dribble comes out of the fill hole on a level surface.

Electrically everything is fine, I've tested continuity of every connection and as I say it works reliably at lower speeds.

Have I disturbed something by removing the solenoid?

Possibly introduced air into the system and that is causing it to drop out or maybe a seal between the electrical and hydraulic parts of the solenoid so you have reduced hydraulic pressure.

Just a suggestion, normally they either work or don't rather than hal-heartedly.

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by Juular

The car continues to drive really nicely. I have however encountered a problem with the overdrive.

Since getting the car on the road OD has worked fine at all speeds and engaged nice and positively. However it stopped working last week. I noticed that the solder joint on the solenoid had broken off, so I simply removed the solenoid, redid the joint with a new wire, and refitted it.

Then the problem started. Engine off, the solenoid still activates in 4th, you can hear the clunk. However it's now not working at higher speeds. Around the streets it works as normal, but on a motorway at 60-70 it simply does nothing.

I found that with no pressure on the throttle pedal it will activate at 70, but as soon as I touch the accelerator it jumps out of OD.

Oil has recently been checked and a small dribble comes out of the fill hole on a level surface.

Electrically everything is fine, I've tested continuity of every connection and as I say it works reliably at lower speeds.

Have I disturbed something by removing the solenoid?

I can’t remember exactly but you adjust the solenoid engagement and I think there’s a hole that needs to be aligned in the acuating lever. It’s been years sorry. If you search online for adjusting the solenoid actuating lever or something along those lines.

[Rustinmotion]

Originally Posted by Burdekin

I can’t remember exactly but you adjust the solenoid engagement and I think there’s a hole that needs to be aligned in the acuating lever. It’s been years sorry. If you search online for adjusting the solenoid actuating lever or something along those lines.

This from green book

[Derek UK]

The usual answer to this question is have you checked the oil level but you say that is fine. What oil are you using? Losing pressure due to worn O rings is another cause and this means a small overhaul unfortunately. I don't think you have any history on this GB/OD? If it hasn't been run for a long time there might some dirt in the valves. There is a filter that can be checked. I think an oil change would be my first job even if its fresh. 20/50?
Hopefully you freshen up the OD wiring and that is OK. I say that after seeing some of the wiring pics posted.

[Juular]

Good knowledge thanks all.

I checked the solenoid linkage and was able to put a 4.5mm drill bit straight through into the case
So that seemed ok.

Solenoid did however feel a bit loose. Not sure why as I tightened it well, but regardless I did it up again with a small spot of thread locker.

Cleaned out the filter and refilled with fresh 20/50 as before. Eventually. It's like treacle.

Wiring is definitely OK. I redid all of the wiring all the way back to the switch.

I checked the current draw of the solenoid when active and it was around an amp, that seems about right.

So did a test drive of around 6 miles and no change. In fact it wouldn't work at all.

Then did a longer drive of around 50 miles and around halfway noticed that OD would work at lower speeds again.

On the way back it started working fully again, including at 70mph.

Pleased with that.



Now I need to stop hitting the full beam switch instead of the clutch pedal and all will be grand.

[Moomoo]

That’s a picture of a happy (lucky) old Amazon.

Love it! Well done you!👍

[Volvo_133]

The oilways between gearbox and overdrive are small. Once you have re filled the oil sharing system it is beneficial to complete a short journey and then check and refill the oil as required. Hence why your OD initially would not engage.
Some owners (if aware of the capacity of oil) fill the box/overdrive by removing the gear lever and filling to capacity.

[Derek UK]

Correct. Recheck the level. It might surprise you how much it now needs to top it off.

[Juular]

Originally Posted by Derek UK

Correct. Recheck the level. It might surprise you how much it now needs to top it off.

Took around 150ml after 100 miles.

Some of that may also be because the front and rear box seals aren't in the first flush of youth.

[Juular]

Next challenge.

It's doing around 18mpg on decent runs, which isn't right. Measured from taking mileage between brimfuls. I've factored in the 4.1 axle throwing the odometer out by using GPS tracking.

I think I've got the carbs very close, but would being a touch on the rich side account for this? I'm expecting closer to around 25-27 given the diff and OD combo.