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The racks are the same its the pinion alone that differs and can be identified externally by the width of the securing nut beneath the gaiter. Problem is for the last thirty years or so the recon game has not differentiated between FWD or Dolomite and all exchange racks have been reconned as Dolomite ones. I've now had over 20 racks reconditioned this year (5 in stock by the way) and all have been dolomite pinions
The Quicksprint was purported to have a Quickrack...but it wasn't!
The recon folk I use have sourced a supply of OE Vandervell tube bearings and are quietly confident they will eventually find someone somewhere with a box full of FWD pinions...
However, with Sprintparts experiences is it worth it?
The first 26530 1850s had the seven tooth pinion (according to the July 1974 parts book 520502/B), please bear in mind, that is the total for both RHD and LHD.
Early Sprints also had them fitted (I don't have the parts book for a Sprint to confirm the total number).
On standard shocks, tyres and bushes the difference between racks is noticeable, however I reckon you get used to the lower ratio version quite quickly (well I did anyway).
You could well be right about the FWD pinions Alun, just very short ago I purchased a NOS 1500FWD rack from a former BL dealer's old stock clearance, at a bargain price.