Austin 1100 Auto box changing too early

[3xpendable]

My dad has just bought a 1970 Austin 1100 auto to run around in (pictures later). Al is well but we've noticed that the automatic gearbox changes up way to early (before the revs have picked up enough) so when its cold you have the change the gears manually as the engine just bogs down. No wierd noises, it drives fine and apprently the previous owner changed the oil (I know its combined angine and gearbox lubrication on these). Any ideas?

[harvey]

There's a rod between the throttle linkage on the carb and a lever down on the back of the box (around the diff area), make sure that hasn't come adrift or been disconnected. If it's still fitted you will need to shorten the rod a bit, which IIRC you just do by bending it. I don't remember there being an actual adjuster as such, but seeing as it's getting on for 40 years since I was messing around with them, (and that's nowhere near long enough) I may have got that bit wrong. Doing that will increase the pressures, and raise the shift speeds, but don't go too mad as the flip side is that the higher the pressures are, the more harshly it will engage DRIVE (and REVERSE), and you could end up needing to lift off the throttle to prompt the shift.

I think.....

[Luxobarge]

(I know its combined angine and gearbox lubrication on these).

Really? Even on Autos? Not saying you're wrong, just very surprised, that's all.

[harvey]

(I know its combined angine and gearbox lubrication on these).

Really? Even on Autos? Not saying you're wrong, just very surprised, that's all.

No, he's correct, and at the time the leading experts in the world as regarding experience and use of autos, the yanks, couldn't really believe it was possible......

[Luxobarge]

(I know its combined angine and gearbox lubrication on these).

Really? Even on Autos? Not saying you're wrong, just very surprised, that's all.

No, he's correct, and at the time the leading experts in the world as regarding experience and use of autos, the yanks, couldn't really believe it was possible......

Wow - you learn summat every day! Mind you I like that idea - much better than the "selaed for life" autos you get these days....

Cheers!

[TerryG]

The company discovery 3 with it's "sealed for life" auto had to go in to a garage to have the sump syphoned and the oil changed as it was so harsh when changing gear! I think car manufacturers idea of "life" and real people's differs slightly.

[Luxobarge]

The company discovery 3 with it's "sealed for life" auto had to go in to a garage to have the sump syphoned and the oil changed as it was so harsh when changing gear! I think car manufacturers idea of "life" and real people's differs slightly.

Exactly - both my Jag and my Volvo have "sealed for life" boxes, and both are known for benefiting greatly from regular changes.

I supposed "Sealed for life" is a great scheme for the manufacturers, as the "life" is then very short and they get to sell you another car?

Duh!

Sorry about thread drift.....

[TerryG]

I supposed "Sealed for life" is a great scheme for the manufacturers, as the "life" is then very short and they get to sell you another car?
Sorry about thread drift.....

Or charge you a fortune for a new gearbox.

OK, back to the origional topic. Good luck adjusting your new toy. My favourite bit of classic ownership is tinkering at the weekend.

[harvey]

Just to add to my original reply, apparently there is an adjustment on the bottom of the rod so either I was thinking of something else, or you can't adjust it without removing the rod to do it.

Also adjusting that isn't going to cure any engine tuning problems that are causing it to bog down when it shifts, all it will do is alter the shift speeds.

[3xpendable]

Thanks all for the replies. We'll have a look at adjusting the rod next week. Yeah its a bit flat at the moment as the timing was out and its running very rich so it needs a service, another thing on the to do list!