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VITESSE 1600 - overdrive option


heralddolly

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A j type overdrive can be used, if you can find a suitable gearbox/overdrive. I believe most are from early dolly 1850's, or are kits with a special mainshaft (kippings/canleys possibly started it all??)

All original fitment vitesse/GT6 boxes were D type, so far more common.

The later dolly 1850 single rail box with j type OD can be fitted, but requires fiddling with the bellhousing, a shorter than normal OD propshaft and the dolly clutch plate.
Remember an OD can not just be bolted on th eback of any old gearbox, it needs the correct mainshaft.....(not meaning to teach egg sucking etc)

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Thanks Clive.

I'm not looking to hack this Vitesse 6 CV (June 66) about and want to keep it looking as period as possible.

Intending to keep the current g/box in situ, so I guess I need to keep my ears open for a D type unit or go for a 1600 gearbox already fitted with overdrive (rare I should think !!).

Thanks for the reply.

Richard.

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the main weak point of the vit6 box is the small mainshaft spigot dia,  if you use your existing box you need to source a replacement mainshaft,and my guess the layshaft spindle will be pitted where the needles run also.
canley did  list the shafts for the 3 syn box  vit box. £150   but  better to go for a later 4 sync or dolly box
and you may need another speedo as the OD box worm and pinion are to suit a 3.89 diff  not the 4'11 in a vit6
unless youve changed the ratio   see the parts list for which speedo /drivelive matches    Pete

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Hello Pete.

Thanks for getting back on this.

I do have a spare 3.89 diff, not fitted - could this be useful ??

The 4 sync box I presume is from the Mk1 2ltr ??

Which dolly are we talking about ??  The 1850 single rail, of which Clive mentioned ??

Regards.

Richard.

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3 wrote:
Hello Pete.
I do have a spare 3.89 diff, not fitted - could this be useful ??

1600 might not have the grunt for a 3.89. So I would have thought you would be better off with a 4.11 diff and an O/D.

Any Vitesse 2 Litre box or GT6 box would suit. (yes 1850 Dolomites had J' Types but some poncing around is required). Just change the propshaft flanges to suit.

Canleys were listing the some of the last few 4.11 diff ratios built for the later 2 litre diff casings (OE Triumph for racing) I think they took the larger flanges. Stronger than the 1600 Vitesse setup.

That is if you are staying 1600.

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Hello Richard.

Ideally I'd like to stick with the 1600 unit.

The rationale for o/d is that I intend to do some decent miles in the UK and go over to France.

So I guess what we are saying is, get hold of a Mk1 2ltr / GT6 overdrive box and that should do the trick ?? Apart from the flange change, electrics  & overdrive mount - any other observations ??

The D type appears to be the easier option then ??

Will stick with the 4.11.

Thanks.

Richard.

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If using Dolomite 1850 'box you want the earlier 3 rail and NOT the horrible later single rail 'box.  Best to stick with the earlier 3 syncro' 1600 'box as they sound better!  Try Chic Doig (01592 722999) he has most things Triumph, especially for 1600's as they are a personal favorite of his.

Mark

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1218 wrote:
Best to stick with the earlier 3 syncro' 1600 'box as they sound better!  Try Chic Doig (01592 722999) he has most things Triumph, especially for 1600's as they are a personal favorite of his.


But they're weaker....I think it's nice having synchro 1st.

Can't dispute your comment regarding the single rail from the late 1850.

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Also, the J type seems to sap more power than the D type :-/

I recently fitted a three rail 1850 GB with J type OD. It fits, but there's not a lot of room for the tacho cable arrangement, mine is currently sat on the chassis after bending quite a bit of metal.

D type is far simpler, and is easier to fettle when it stops working. Apparently it's slightly weaker... Are you going to be racing around flat out all the time?

You'll need to add a relay if fitting the D.

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Richard_B wrote:
1600 might not have the grunt for a 3.89. So I would have thought you would be better off with a 4.11 diff and an O/D.


A friend fitted a 3.63 diff to his 1600 on JK's recommendation. Seemed to suit the car OK, and was retained when he later went to a 2.5 engine.
The original 1600's 4.11 diff is very weak, the only one Triumph used with thin output shafts coupled to the large flanges. The output shafts are very prone to breakage in this application,

Cheers,
Bill.

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we run a 3 syn +-  3.89 and Dtype on our 1600 without issue , would not go any higher  as  2nd will be over geared ,
ours has the stromberg to replace the solex so there's  more output, but not the toque of the 2ltr.

when we stripped the orig 4.11 it had the thicker output shafts and 1600 had the larger prop coupling with the 3/8" bolts
so the 3.89 was a straight swap

the wine from a crash 1st is nostalgic but next time it will be a 4syn , in the 60's  with a 4.11 first is just a emergency low ratio with a 3.89 you wont start off in second,without a lot of clutch slip   so 1st is an every day requirement , even ,more so withan 3.63  Pete

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