Overdrive gearbox changeover

[Andy Fl]

Hi....I would love to read about someone's report detailing exactly how they managed to convert a non-overdrive Herald or Vitesse to a D or J type overdrive. I think I know roughly what parts are required, but does anyone know of such a report that I could download and read at my leisure ????

[Clive]

If you have a haynes or other manual, it is mostly in there.
1. Remove existing gearbox and propshaft.
2. Take off gearbox rear mounting plate off chassis.
3. Remove speedo cable.
4. If required change clutch to suit new gearbox.
5. Cutback propshaft tunnel to allow access to prop bolts on shorter prop, make up/ fit new section/cover
6. Bolt in new gearbox mounting plate
7. Fit new gearbox and prop.
8. Wire in anything now needed, j yype easier than d type (requires a relay)
9 fit angle drive and speedo cable. Also refit clutch slave cylinder.
10 fill with oil and test drive befors re-fitting the tunnel.

Thats the bones of it, really is nuts and bolts.

You need: overdrive gearbox, rubber mount, mount plate, propshaft, angle drive, speedo cable, swith -column or gearstick with switch on knob. Bits of wire and maybe a relay. And a day or so. And the cash to buy it!

[Bob Bowling]

Make sure you get the right gearbox rear mounting plate - D & J types use different plates. I found out the hard way after ordering the parts from a well known supplier, only to find out that they had sent me the wrong one.
You will need a shorter propshaft -details are in the manuals.