Mark,
No, you can't just bolt an overdrive onto the back of a non-o/d gearbox.
For one thing, they share gearbox oil, so the gearbox casing is
different to allow oil to flow between the two units. The mainshaft has
a splined (I think) output which provides an input into the overdrive
instead of the usual flange which bolts onto the propshaft. In
addition, you'll need a shorter propshaft, and if you want the switch
mounted on the gearstick (the usual place for a 1500) you'll need a new
stick too.
One of the big suppliers in the UK (maybe John Kipping, but I can't
remember for sure) supplies everything you need as a kit, including a
rebuilt gearbox. I think it costs around 400 UKP. I don't know how
practical it is to modify an existing gearbox to work with o/d, but
since the cost of a reconditioned gearbox is so low, I'd guess it's
probably not worth it.
Dean
---------------------
>----------
>From: Mark Gardner[SMTP:mrgrdnr@ix.netcom.com]
>Sent: 29 June 1999 05:00
>To: spitfires@autox.team.net
>Subject: Gearbox interchangability
>
>
>Hi all - What is the commonality between 1500 O/D and non-O/D boxes.
>When I was looking at cars, I had more than one guy tell me it was easy
>to "just bolt an overdrive on the back end of a non-overdrive unit".
>True? If not, just what parts are common? Gears? synchros? shafts?
>castings?
>
>Thanks in advance
>
>Mark Gardner
>
>
>
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