Modifying to a different gearbox.

Someone in one of the comics did something along those lines - hacked both bellhousings up and then welded them back together, so it's doable...

the normal way is an adaptor plate plus a spacer between crank and ring gear carrier

Accompanied by the sound of a chisel on slate Dave Plowman (News), managed to produce the following words of wisdom

You could probably get a ZF 4HP22 ? to fit. Range Rovers had them, and I suspect the BMW 5 series one would be ideal for an SD1.

You have way to much spare time and are slightly nut's!

In article , Fred

Yes it can be done quite easily - but you need to add a tail section from another box to the Rangie one which has the transfer box on the end. There is the correct complete box around - was fitted to ambulances etc so rather rare.

Indeed. That was in the article I read about fitting an Asin Warner from a Senator. But I somehow think it a bit of a bodge.

It is only about 10mm, not really a problem, far more difficult to accurately cut and shut two bell housings (next to impossible without some very fancy gear)

Does it not require fancy gear to get the gearbox centered on the crank when using the adaptor plate method?

NOt if you use the right adaptor plate. Laser Cut Steels rather cheap nowadays.

by using a plate you know it is square on at least, the alignment up/down/left/right is the only difficulty. It must be possible to establish how far from the sides the centres of crank and TC are, then bob is the aunt.

=================================== Do you know of company that will do a one-off job? I would like such a plate cut for another very different use.

Cic.

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

Most of the subcontract firms will do you a one off. Drawing it up often= =

costs more than cutting it, so you 'll want to do that yourself. Where i= n =

the UK?

================================== Wolverhampton / West Midlands

Cic.

I doubt if that knowledge will help you to nail an auto box in you SD1

Nor will your peals of wisdom. Others have at least given some useful suggestions.

Why do you read this group if you're not interested in such things?

Ohh I'm interested in such things and know from experience that what you want to do is a dopey idea, you may be able to buy a cheap S/H gearbox but the cost involved in making it work would not be viable. Unless you could buy an off the shelf conversion kit it just won't happen, so there, I have discussed it !

Maybe I should have added LOL or a smiley to my original comment instead of the superfluous apostrophe ;-)

Then give me your experience. That's what I'm asking for. What gearbox did you try and fit to which engine and how did it go wrong? Others have managed it.

Eh? I've overhauled dozens of autos. And know the costs involved.

'It' will certainly happen although I'm not yet decided on the exact method and box.

Might be better if you actually knew me and knew what I'm capable of. I'm not some dreaming schoolboy without two pennies to rub together.

I have never tried to fit a different box to an engine but I can have a stab at the problems, like fitting the torque converter to the backing plate and making sure it's central and balanced and is the correct distance into the gearbox. Things like the starter motor lining up with the ring gear if you have to move the backing plate and what ever bell housing you use not fouling the bulkhead and then the g/box not fouling something underneath and maintaining a sensible line in relation to the propshaft. Then you have to cut and shut and balance the prop ,alter the Speedo drive and hope it agrees with the Speedo , mounting the gear selector inside of the car without making a Frankenstein job. The list is endless and begs the question why bother? and that still leaves your original question of how you align and weld two bell housing together that will handle the torque of a v8? the chances of cutting of two different bellhousings and the parts actually touching let alone being close enough to maintain any strength is 0 . ( I must confess to having consumed some beer so I am probably talking bollocks, but I have never been that pissed that i would ever consider doing what you are thinking about )

I was not refering to the cost of overhauling the box, I was talking about the cost of the conversion

I refer you to my original comment

I don't know *you* but I have read a lot of your posts, I know you know about Auto boxes and I never assumed you were skint either.