Hi, Can anyone tell me if it is possible to fit an automatic gearbox to an old style (M reg) Rover 218. Her indoors! left leg seems to be getting painful due to the heavy clutch and it seems a shame to sell such an excellent car. I feel it is so well built it has plenty of life left in it, but its resale value is not a lot. Any help much appreciated. Keith
Keith,
All things are possible in this case, but you will find it easier and more cost effective to sort out the 'heavy' clutch - or buy an automatic model.
Over the years, I have driven several types of Rovers and they have all had 'light' clutches - except when there was a problem with sticking cables or partially siezed clutch pedal pivots or simply a worn clutch. As a matter of interest, my son's diesel Rover 218 has a very heavy clutch, but that is worn and he is not interested in changing it until it literally goes bang.
BTW, I did this job in reverse many years ago (converting an automatic Austin 1100 to manual) and it was a real pig of a job!
Brian G
Hi Brian Thanks for the reply. I have already changed the clutch complete along with the cable as well as greasing all the pivot points. Whilst at the begining it did improve the clutch, its now back to its old Springy self. I have also tried other 200/400 series Rovers and they all seem to be as heavy as each other. I did own an 800 before this and looking at the gearbox it seems to be the same as the the type fitted to the 200, but the clutch on that was as light as a feather! Id still like to go down the path of changing the 218 to an automatic, but as Rover did not make this variant to its 218 diesel range I am dubious about taking it all apart again. Thanks again Keith
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