The conversion is not especially hard, IF you find all the pieces you need.
Some of the minor bits are:
1: A metal cover piece that goes right behind the cardboard tunnel cover.
(You need to trim away a few inches of the floorpan right behind the cover.)
Maybe this is not an issue for a 1500...
2: The shift lever with switch.
3: The support place for the rear tranny mounting, and the rubber mount piece.
4: The relay (maybe not for the J-type overdrive).
You life would be much simpler if you can get everything from the same donor
car.
With the OD, the car is indeed much nicer on the freeways. Mine does about
3000 RPM at 65 MPH, and that's with a 4.11 differential.
All said, if I had to commute 90 miles a day for a real job, I
would not want to wear out my Spit doing it, and I would find
a newer, safer, less polluting, more comfortable car,
and occasionally drive the Spit to work on nice summer days.
(And sometimes on a snow and salt-free winter day, to demonstrate
my dedication to LBCs.)
Doug Braun
'72 Spit
At 02:44 PM 2/5/03 -0100, you wrote:
>Hi listers,
>
>
>I've got to think through a strategy to allow me to commute to work this
>year. My engine went pop last year after 3 weeks of doing 90 miles a
>day. Question is, should I try and drive my Spit for possibly 3 months
>of the same journey this year. Thoughts of getting a banger and using
>that come to mind, but then I thought that the same amount of money will
>get my Spit fixed up with overdrive.
>
>So, what do I need to convert my 1500 to overdrive? Gearbox with
>overdrive unit, propshaft.... anything else....
>
>Does the wiring just fit straight in? Or is it easily connected up?
>
>What sort of RPM will I be doing at motorway speeds...?
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