I don't understand what your mechanic means by "Extensive rewiring"? There's
not much to the OD wiring harness to consider it to be extensive. I would
consider a complete rewiring of the OD system to be very minor. I think your
mechanic may be taking you for a ride! It's a very simple system and very
little wire makes it work. Remember, these cars are very simple.
Keep the OD and replace the rear end with a 3.89:1. That's my advice. OD units
are very hard to get, so consider yourself lucky to have it. Fixing the wiring
and stuff like that are the easy part. Here's a couple of quick suggestions to
see if the OD works. With the key on, but the car not running, you should be
able to hear the solenoid engage when you flip the switch. If you can hear it
clicking than it should be trying to work. Check to be sure the transmission is
topped up with oil. Be sure that you are using regular engine oil and not thick
gear oil or tranny fluid. Anything but engine oil will destroy it. If the
tranny is low on oil the OD unit won't engage. Sometimes, simply topping them
up with oil fixes all the problems! Once you get the OD working electrically
and topped up with oil, you will learn quickly if the OD unit is good or not.
As far as the growley 1st gear, have your specialist look at it. Maybe it just
needs topped up with oil? Keep the OD tranny in the car. You will thank us
later. - Ian
Lloyd Elliott wrote:
> I am the new owner of a series one Alpine. Thanks to Norm Miller I found
> this list.
>
> On my car the clutch is shot and the transmission is quite "growly" in
> first gear. It would seem to make sense to replace both at the same
> time. Does anyone know where I can get a later full-syncho transmission?
>
> If I can't find one soon what are your opinions: Should I change the
> clutch and wait till I find a full-syncro later or should I give in and
> install an earlier non-syncro transmission? Are there other options? I
> plan to use it as an around town car.
>
> My present gear box has the overdrive but it doesn't work (the mechanic
> says it would need extensive rewiring). Should I give up on the
> overdrive? One well known restorer has offered to trade me straight up a
> reconditioned series 1/2 transmission for mine with the overdrive. Does
> that sound reasonable?
>
> Further info: This Alpine has a later 1725 cc engine. From the numbers it
> seems it is from a 1969 Rapier GT. It has only one (Weber)
> carburetor. How does this engine differ those in the later Alpines?
>
> Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
>
> Lloyd
|