Gearbox Swap

Geoff Rawlings

New Member
Hello, I'm new here so I apologise if this subject has been raised before. I am thinking about buying a US import 3500S P6 and would like to swap from an auto to manual box. Is it a big job with modifications to the shell & etc or is it a straight bolt-in job?
 
Too big a question. If part of the expanded question is "yes I already have a good LT77 and SD1 bellhousing in the garage" then the answer will broadly be, not such a big job. Any other answer will likely result in "yes it'll be a big job". Depending on your skills and resources of course.
 
Well, I've built a 1934 Talbot for the Peking to Paris, and over the years also re-built my wife's MG TC and my MG PA s/c and am in the middle of building a bit of a special MGB GT so I think I'm up for it. The basic question is "Is it a straight bolt-in job", i.e no mucking around modifying floors, buklkheads or transmission tunnels.
 
Yes, the auto tunnel is wide enough for many manual boxes. The auto prop is coincidentally the right length when used with the LT77 and SD1 type bellhousing. Mostly just a question of clutch hydraulics and pedals then.

Others have used Toyota and Ford boxes, there is an Australian company who'll do you a kit for the Toyota at a price but the box is better than the Leyland (and later R380). Therein ends my knowledge. I investigated this a while back before deciding on a ZF 4 speed auto which was far trickier or at least would be without much help.
 
Hi Geoff,
For a man like yourself, converting the auto to manual is dead easy. Our P6 car has had this done and you are more than welcome to have a look.

s it a big job with modifications to the shell & etc or is it a straight bolt-in job?

To answer your question, it's not a big job, but not a straight swap either. My friend Tim did the swap, I may get some things wrong; the manual and auto shells are slightly different. As far as I know, you'll need to create a plate in the shell for the clutch mastercylinder and maybe a few other minor things. Nothing a welder, a hammer and a few parts can't sort out.

The bell houing and gearbox can be a straight swap, depending on the gearbox you intend to use.

Gavin.
 
Do a search over on the Rover Club of Canada Rovernet Archives. Also join that list and ask there is you have further questions. There are a number of people on that list who have expertise on that conversion.
 
Back
Top