The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

My 73 Sprint (viewtopic.php?f=19&t=29759) has a non-overdrive box as standard. Now that the car is approaching the rebuild stage, I need to decide whether to recondition the original or swap for a ready reconditioned overdrive box. Cost is a little more for the overdrive, but the difference isn't really enough to help me decide. My initial instinct is to stick with the original, but am worried that when I come to actually drive the car I will regret it. I'd be interested in other members views...

Simon

How's about fitting an O?D box but retaining the original?

The car might have been built with a non O/D as new but of course it was optional so to me it wouldn't be non-original. I would have a Sprint with O/D over one without, that's just a personal thing. Who doesn't want that little button on the gear knob?

I would keep the original box but add the overdrive.

More often than not, 3rd with o/drive is used in town.

Fit an overdrive, full stop!

As soon as you hit any sort of open road or dual carriageway and you accelerate to top, (4th) gear, you'll rue the day you put a 4 speed box in.

Why would you prefer non-od?
If it is because the car is more original, and that is the biggest thing you are concerned about, fine. However, I really cannot visualise a situation where somebody would pay more for a car without overdrive. It really is THE most desirable thing to add to a car without. Really. Once you have it, you will be horrified at driving any distance without it operational.

I need to decide whether to recondition the original or swap for a ready reconditioned overdrive box

Simon, do you have an source for an overdrive gearbox without having one to exchange? I will have an 1850 without O/D and can't find an O/D box anywhere unless I have one the same for an exchange.

Mike

Hi Simon ,
I have an early 1973 car , and was in the same scenario as you are
I decided to use the original 4 speed gearbox , as opposed to an overdrive gearbox

Where I live the speed limit is 40mph !

If you ever need any parts for gearboxes , I recommend Mike Papworth in Coventry

Kind regards
Simon

Thanks everyone, I have decided to go with overdrive. I know I will miss that little switch if I don't have it!

Bumpa, Robsport are sorting this for me. I have asked the question about 1850s and will let you know.

Thanks Simon. I will be interested in their reply. I don't have the car yet, but should be getting it this autumn. It is an 1850HL from 1977 and has a non-O/D gearbox that jumps out of gear, so something will need to be done to the transmission. It makes sense to upgrade to an O/D but my researches so far haven't given me any leads. I'll add Robsport to my list of Dolly spares suppliers.

Mike (Bumpa - that's what my grandkids call me!)

Sprint and 1850 gearboxes are completely different.

Also a dolomite 1850 gearbox has a different set of ratios, input shaft and bell housing to an ohv dolomite gearbox.

I can possibly build you a dolomite 1850 box with overdrive as I have a couple of spares that need reconditioning.

There is also the complication that pre 75 dolomites (non HL) with the exhaust on the left had an earlier 3 rail gearbox that could also have overdrive as an option.

You will also need a cross member and mounting.

PM me when the time comes and I will see what I can do. I'm in West London though....but do have a wedding in Scotland in November.

Jonners

Thanks Jonners. Yes I knew about the difference between the 1850 and the Sprint. Never having owned any sort of Dolomite, I have been reading up about the cars. The Sprint uses components from the big Triumphs doesn't it? I had also read that I would need a new cross member and prop shaft if I fitted an O/D box. Oh and a different gear lever too! Since it is a 1977 car (and an HL) I assume it will have the later single rail gearbox.

Once I have the car at home and can get to work on it I will have a better idea of what I want to do. I will certainly bear your offer in mind. The fact that you are in West London and I am in SW Scotland isn't insurmountable. I am a South Londoner myself having been brought up in Wallington. Our younger son now lives in Wiltshire so we do come south a few times a year to visit the grandkids, as well as an annual trip to Silverstone for either MG Live or the Silverstone Classic weekend.

I might well take you up on your offer. Watch this space!

Mike

Prop shafts are interesting. Ive converted a coupe of 1850's to overdrive and used the same prop each time.

Some say they need to change and others dont. In my case the sliding front section was good for both.

Jonners

Mike (Bumpa), I'm afraid Robsport's supplier don't have a reconditioned 1850 box. It's a shame you don't need an auto box for your 1850 as I have one of those!

Simon

Thanks for asking Simon. Actually there's an 1850 auto box for sale on ebay for £75. I wonder what the car is like with an auto? But I think I'd rather have a manual. Interesting about the prop shafts Jonners.

Mike

I've just spotted an 1850 O/D gearbox on ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-TRIUMPH- ... SwgZ1XtgXd) but at £500 untested it seems really expensive.