> > >Has anyone installed a Fairey Overdrive in a Series III 88. I am > >considering having one installed and have several questions.Here's some of my old mail on this subject, well worth what you paid:
When I bought my overdrives several years ago, the general opinion was that the Toro unit was better than the factory approved, Fairey overdrive, because the Toro holds more oil and is less subject to overheating. I have not heard anything that changes this theory, and have had no trouble with my Toro.
Which ever you choose, I think you will discover that oil "pumps" from the transfer case to the overdrive and then blows all over the rear window. This can be overcome by running a tube from the O/D overflow plug to the transfer case overflow plug. Or, connecting the air vents of the O/D and transfer case with tube.
When I first got my Rover, there was no sign of oil leaking from the swivel balls either, so I didn't check it right away, and, that's right, there was no oil in them to leak out. I soon learned how to replace wheel bearings and stub axles.
and
I have had a Toro overdrive on my '64 SIIa-88" for about four years and 40K miles. ELEPHINO has been over the Sierra Nevadas many times in blizzards and sub zero tempretures and on many Black Rock Desert trips trough sand, mud in 115 F temps. carrying; two weeks supplies, four full Jerry cans, my Air Camping tent, me, wife and three kids, and the dog. No problem.
When I first installed the OD the oil was "pumping" out of the transfer case into the OD. This was discovered when I found 90 weight oil sprayed on the rear after runs on the freeway. The OD was getting full and pushing oil out the vent hole. I installed a drain tube from the OD to the transfer case by just replacing the oil level check plugs with hose barbs connected with a length of 3/8" fuel hose. This was in place for about a year and several adventures. On one of the desert trips after a long run on the hyway I smelled HOT 90 weight, so I stopped to check it out. The dip stick was missing from the OD and it was low on oil. I filled it up, made a plug for the hole and continued the trip. The oil had run into the transfer... down the tube, due to driving up and down steep hills in hot temps. The dip stick must have been blown out, as it was a snug fit with an "o" ring.
This occurrence made me think that the oil wasn't pumping but was being forced by air pressure from the transfer to the OD. I removed the "drain tube" and installed a vent tube between the OD and the transfer case and the atmosphere. This has been on for three years and now the oil in each section stays there. The vent tube is up high and I can install a cap for very deep wading.
I disagree that the Toro is a kludge, The extra oil capacity is an advantage. Both brands of OD will give good service if they are kept full of oil. I suspect that many ODs have died because they have been run dry. I have the remains of two Toros that were given to me. Both are fried due to lack of oil. I hope to get one complete, working unit from this pile of parts, for my 88 PU.
CONSUMER NOTICE: Because of the "Uncertainty Principle," It Is Impossible for the Consumer to Find Out at the Same Time Both Precisely Where This Product Is and How Fast It Is Moving.
Regards, Bill G.
William.Grouell@Eng.Sun.COM (William L. Grouell)