1500 overdrive conversion

[marko]

I've just won an overdrive gearbox from someone in Southampton to fit to my car. What other parts are needed and does anyone have any parts for sale please.

[Toledo Man]

You will need the gear stick, the wiring for the overdrive switch and the cross member. I'm sure somebody else will correct me if I'm wrong or I've missed anything.

[marko]

From memory I'll need a solenoid too

[alangraham]

I did this conversion using the article by Richard Old in a previous Dolly Mixture. You'll probably need an angled speedo drive from the gearbox and a dedicated O/D speedo cable.
Of all the things I did to my Dolomite 1500 (including 100% polybushing throughout), the O/D conversion gave the greatest benefit.

[GTS290N]

box complete with o/d, solenoid, angle drive, speedo cable, wiring loom, gearstick c/w switch, wires and switch cover.
gearbox mount
gearbox crossmember
gearbox bush (search for articles on here re alternative type)
two brackets for mounting the gearbox crossmember.

That's what I can remember.

[Richard the old one]

Being a member you will be able to read my article in the Dolly mixture archive.

[marko]

Which copy of the magazine is it in Richard as I have six years worth here?
Mark.

[2dollys]

Overdrive article is in issue 131. PJB

[marko]

What about the gearbox mounting bracket? I've found the Sprint overdrive and non overdrive bracket but nothing mentioned for the 1500, not even a picture on rimmers site. Please can someone advise?

[Jon Tilson]

The cross member and mounting are common to all overdrive dolomites.
The sprint has a different bit between mounting and o-d as the engine sits a tad lower.

On 1850's and 1500's this bit is taller and more elaborate. If you use a Sprint one it will fit but the engine and box wont be at quite the
right angle. Not sure how serious that would be on a 1500....if you have a Sprint one I cant see any harm in trying it.

Jonners

[marko]

Thanks Jon, the Sprint ones are on sale at rimmers currently at about £4!

[marko]

What's the gearbox cross member look like? Rimmers number is 218519 but they don't show any pictures that I can find either online or in the catalogue. Will the overdrive box fit my current subframe?

[Richard the old one]

Looking at the official Triumph dolomite range 1976 onwards parts catalogue tonight I see that that there are three different part numbers given for the rear mounting brackets:

The 1500cc and 1500HL with O/D is given as UKC2797
The 1850 with O/D is UKC3891
The sprint manual 158875 (am I correct to assume that all sprints at this point i n time had O/D)

[Richard the old one]

I failed to answer the question about the subframe. It does not change when you fit O/D. The back end of the O/D is now supported by the new crossmember.

[Carledo]

I failed to answer the question about the subframe. It does not change when you fit O/D. The back end of the O/D is now supported by the new crossmember.

And leave out the original mounting to the subframe!

I recently dismantled a 1500HL with overdrive box that had BOTH mounts fitted!

Steve

PS i'm not sure, but I THINK the exhaust bracket for the downpipe is also different on overdrive cars.