Huw, I replaced the entire unit as one, to simply add an overdrive unit is
a bit complicated, You have to change the output shaft on your tranny,
after the cost and work (as well as finding it) it just isn't worth it. It
is much easier to track down a whole unit, you can find one for about $300
to $350 if you look hard. (a lot of jokers ask $500 to $750, ignore them
and keep looking, Hemming motor news is a good source for parts as well as
VTR website, it might be easier to buy a parts car than to buy pieces. I
bought a parts car and got the driveshaft with it. There is abought a 1/2"
to 3/4" difference in length from what I have heard it costs about $80 to
have it cut down and balanced. BTY I have seen some OD's sold without the
servo or with bad ones, this is about a $170 part so make sure it has it
and test it by applying 12 volts to it (you will hear it click). OD's have
a lot that can go wrong with them so make sure you have a warm fuzzy about
the one you are buying, so it doesn't turn into a nightmare.
Best of luck, let me know what else I can answer.
Patrick
At 12:52 PM 11/23/98 -0800, Huw Upshall wrote:
>Patrick, Did you put a J type overdrive on a standard 4spd transmission or
>did you replace the transmission as well as installing an overdrive?
>
>Did you also purchase a new drive axle or had yours cut to fit?
>
>Thanks.
>
>On Mon, 23 Nov 1998, Bowen, Patrick A. RP2 wrote:
>
>> Huw, I performed one of the Mods earlier this year, really quite easy.
>> First question is which overdrive are you planning on using "A" type or "J"
>> type. Mine was a "j" type conversion. The conversion for the most part is
>> a straight out parts swap. The exception being with the electical, the
>> earlier spits had the switch on the column, later they were on the gear
>> shift. The "A" type overdrives required a relay system to operate it
>> (works off of higher voltage, I believe) while the "J" type is straight
>> wiring using the power from the reverse light switch to connect to the gear
>> shift switch and lock out switch to provide power to the servo and make a
>> complete circle. ( I believe you call this wiring in serial). It is very
>> easy, I created the wiring for my OD and it was simple. If I can answer
>> any questions please just ask.
>>
>> Patrick
>>
>> At 11:55 AM 11/23/98 -0800, Joe Curry wrote:
>> >Since there have been several "Me Too" replies, I'll forward my personal
>> >reply to Huw to the List. One caveat, however, since Huw is only
>> >spitting distance away from me, the offer of following my own
>> >installation doesn't apply on an "In Person" basis, that is unless
>> >anybody wants to venture to Western Washington.
>> >
>> >Regards,
>> >Joe
>> >--
>> >"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
>> > -- Dave Weinbaum in National EnquirerMessage-ID:
>> <3659AC56.238E2AAF@gte.net>
>> >Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 10:41:26 -0800
>> >From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
>> >Organization: Curry Enterprises
>> >X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.06 [en] (Win95; I)
>> >MIME-Version: 1.0
>> >To: Huw Upshall <hupshall@wolfenet.com>
>> >Subject: Re: Overdrive
>> >References: <Pine.OSF.3.95.981123102511.1894A-100000@gonzo.wolfenet.com>
>> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>> >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>> >
>> >Huw,
>> >Interestingly enough, I am in the process of installing an overdrive in
>> >Huxley (my red Mk1).
>> >
>> >I am using a 3-rail tranny from a MkIV Spit but the later single rail
>> >installs with the same modifications. Here's what is required:
>> >
>> >1. The OD Tranny (obviously)
>> >2. A longer Speedometer cable
>> >3. An angle drive for the Speedo cable (if not already on the tranny)
>> >4. A different rear mount for the tranny.
>> >5. A different mounting plate for the frame
>> >6. The driveshaft must be shortened to take the longer unit.
>> >7. A switch must be installed to control the OD. In the later Spits it
>> >was a lever on the steering column, but you can mount a switch almost
>> >anywhere. Mine is on the shift knob.
>> >8. A little wiring modification and you are in business.
>> >
>> >As soon as I get My tranny back from Barry Nelson, you are welcome to
>> >follow my own installation to see what difficulties I encounter.
>> >
>> >Regards,
>> >Joe
>> >
>> >Huw Upshall wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hey gang. OK. I took the transmission out of my spitfire yesterday and
>> >> then thought pretty hard... I am debating on installing an overdrive
>> >> transmission. This car came from the factory with a standard 4. So, if
>> >> there is anybody out there that has put an overdrive into a spitfire,
>> >> please answer these questions:
>> >>
>> >> Cost?
>> >> What needs to be modified?
>> >> What do you do about the relays?
>> >>
>> >> Installation steps from experience would be very useful. Thanks.
>> >
>> >--
>> >"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
>> > -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> Patrick Bowen
>> '79 Spitfire
>> Jacksonville FL
>>
>
>
Patrick Bowen
'79 Spitfire
Jacksonville FL
|