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RE: So, who wants to sell me a Spitfire OD tranny?

To: "'brad.kahler@141.com'" <brad.kahler@141.com>
Subject: RE: So, who wants to sell me a Spitfire OD tranny?
From: Chris De Wet <DeWetC1@sapo.co.za>
Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 12:55:35 +0200
Brad

Thanks for the clarity provided . 

You most probably are correct about the price turning good news into bad :-)
Any ideas on a fair price to pay ? 

I would love a full syncro box , but Mk 4 Spitfires and gearboxes are , as
almost everything else , unobtainable in SA . :-( 
I might be mistaken , but I've read or heard somewhere about a syncro ring
or something for sale that should convert a non-syncro Mk 1 to Mk 3 gearbox
into a full syncro box . Don't know any more about it .

Do I understand correctly , if I obtain a D-type o/d unit to fit to my non
syncro non o/d Mk 1 gearbox , I won't need a new mainshaft , I can use the
mainshaft from the Mk 1 gearbox ? I'm confused as usual :-)

As to the overdrive badge , it looks so nice . I must have one :-)

Kind regards and once again thanks for all the info and advice provided .

Chris de Wet
PO Box 472 , Ifafi , 0260 , South Africa
One '56 TR 3 with o/d , two Heralds and four early Spitfires without o/d .
'65 TR 4 A IRS ( hopefully soon )
'28 Model A Ford Roadster ( hopefully soon )

-----Original Message-----
From: Brad Kahler [mailto:bkahler@jacads.com]
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 10:50 AM
To: Chris_De_Wet_
Subject: RE: So, who wants to sell me a Spitfire OD tranny?


Hi Chris,

> Thank you very much for the information . Best news I've had in a long 
> while.  It sounds encouraging .

Best new until you here a price! 
 
> Please provide me with as much information on this subject as you possibly
> can . I would hate to purchase items which I cannot use :-) . I would also
> like to keep my Spitfire as original as possible .

Sadly I've purchased a lot of stuff that ended up not being right.  But on
the 
bright side, I've got a lot of spares.....! 
 
> I have a few complete non o/d Mk 1 gearboxes ( trannys ) . FC serial
numbers
> I might also have one or two non o/d Mk 3 gearboxes . FD serial numbers .

I think the FC and the FD units are pretty much the same with only minor 
differences in the top covers.  The mk3 units should have a threaded 
opening for the reverse light switch. 
 
> If I understand it correctly I will need the following :
> 
> 1) D type o/d unit ( complete with solenoid , inhibitor switch and angle
> drive ) pulled from Mk 1 o/d gearbox . ( Will the units from Mk 2 , Mk 3 
> and IV Spitfires work ? )

The units from a mk2 or mk3 will directly interchange with a mk1.  The mk4 
gearboxes are full syncro boxes and none of the internal parts are 
interchangeable.  But the D-type will bolt up to a mk4 gearbox.  Thats what
I 
installed in my mk1.  Had to buy a new mainshaft for the mk4 gearbox since 
the one that came with the OD & mk1 tranny wouldn't work.  If you can find 
a mk4 box do so, you'll like the syncronized first gear.
 
> 2) Complete mainshaft pulled from Mk 1 o/d gearbox . ( Will the units from
> Mk 2 , Mk 3 and IV Spitfires work ? )

The mk2 and mk3 will directly interchange.  The mk4 as mentioned above is a 
longer box and requires a different mainshaft.
 
> 3) Overdrive relay unit .
> 4) Overdrive scroll / script badge for boot / trunk .
> 5) Overdrive wiring .
> 6) Overdrive switch ( steering column stalk and special cowling )
> 7) longer speedo cable

Correct.  You don't really need the badge since your comm# lacks the all 
important O also! 
 
> I could use the same diff / rear end and shorten my existing prop-shaft .
> Is this correct ? Anything else ?

The diff on all mk1, mk2 and mk3 spitfires is supposedly the same.  I can't 
say if the mk4 is or not.  I don't believe it is.  The drive shaft will need
to be 
shortened with the installation of an OD.  You'll also need a different 
mounting plate that bolts to the frame and a new rubber mount for the rear
of 
the gear box.
 
Also, you'll need to cut back the sheetmetal on the body tub drive shaft 
hump.  The gearbox is longer and will not sit down onto the mount until you 
trim the sheet metal.  After you cut the sheetmetal back an inch or two you 
just need to fabricate a small sheetmetal cover to screw in place of the cut

out metal.  This is how Triumph did it also at the factory.

Hope this helps.

Brad

My Triumph Web Site Http://www.141.com/triumphs (updated 12/12/99)
My Dodge Web Site Http://www.141.com/dodge (updated 9/17/99)

(Errors have been made, Others will be blamed.....)

1964 Spitfire4 BFC25720L (of Belgian decent)
1962 TR4 CT288L          
1962 TR3B TCF1564L
1951 1/2 ton Dodge Truck B-3-B-108 being restored
1953 Mayflower - TT29490LDL


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