The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

i have a 1500tc with an auto box, it it a big job to switch to a manual box with over drive? will the car have more power as a result?Thanks a lot.
D

Nah its not that big a job. The 1500TC auto is rare though, so might be better just to go buy a 1500HL...

If not, and hopefully I remember it all

Gearbox out, Tunnel Out, Change the Flywheel, Sort the linkages / kickdown brackets etc on the carbs, Fit new box with new (different ) gearbox mount, fit new prop, change wiring for overdrive from selector on the side, fit clutch pedal, change brake pedal (Pedals are a bit of a pain) fit clutch hydraulics, remove transmission cooler if fitted (I really doubt it on a 1500tc) fit new tunnel, fit new stick, fit new tray on the top, take off the badges that say auto!

I forget, you may need to change the diff, tin, Jonners etc will tell you the ratios, I also can't remember if the starter is different, don't think so though.

sounds as if you have done it at some stage, tunnel change what do you mean there every thing else im good with.
D

Gearbox Tunnel, the metal cover that goes over the box and bolts to both floor pans, the bulkhead behind the heater and one under the handbrake....I have done auto to manual changes on dolomites, but not on the 1500. I have done like to likes on the 1500 which Is why I can't remember if the tunnel needs changing. If I was to guess, I'd say it doesn't need the tunnel changing.

I still wouldn't do it!

In 2004 there was a mere 50 automatic 1500TC's left

Cheers for that ill let ye know.
D

Change it and the car will be transformed...
A 1500TC auto isnt a best of type car at all....its dog slow and thirsty.

A manual o/d one is tolerable...

An 1850 auto though is very nice....the 3.37 diff and good torque converter match make it one of the best ever small autos. Shame the ohv version is far further behind the slant than its manual counterpart IMHO

There are only fifty left for the same reason there are only 50 marinas...

Jonners

I have to agree with jonners that 1850 autos are really nice cars, wanna buy one?

1300dolly wrote:I have to agree with jonners that 1850 autos are really nice cars, wanna buy one?

How much ,what year,what colour,? Can I find time for another 1850 auto
Jonners I think a typo,you mean 3.27 diff ,

Have you ever changed the auto box on a 1500 does it make much of a difference. The car is very slow and very very trusty. but i love the car and dont think i could keep on driving it in its current state.
Derrick

I haven't swapped gearboxes, but I did swap engines, transplanting an engine from a manual o/d into Scott Gelsthorpe's (now Steve Wilkes') 1500TC. There were annoying differences that we had to swap as we went along, things like the input shaft spiggot bushes being different between the manual and the auto and the studs at the top of the bellhousing/engine backplate being shorter on one than the other meaning they had insufficient length to purchase the nuts on to...

The engine backplate is also different, much thicker on the auto. Also, you may have to change the wiring at the back of the gearbox.

I have a Dolomite 1500HL auto and it is not that slow at all. Get it to about 22mph, floor the throttle and the 'box drops from 3rd to 1st and feels like something has run into the back of the car!

Possibly a stupid question, but is your engine producing enough power and is the 'box in good condition and everything adjusted OK? If you TC is on HS2 carbs and the Toledo exhaust, it will never develop tarmac shredding amounts of power anyway.

Just buy a standard 1500 manual or an OHC if you are on a quest for oodles of power. Alternatively, speak to The Jodster.

Rob

Hi

Very well put, what i might do is to get a spin in a different 1500 auto to compare, my engine maybe tired, speed doesent matter at all realy, just like to make sure it was running right. Whats the best means to find out if everything is adjusted ok? carbs were rebuilt with a kit. Cheers for help.

Regards Derrick.

what part of the world are you in? I'm sure someone local would be happy to take a look.

How about upgrading the carbs to HS4s and fitting the Dolly 1500 twin downpipe exhaust manifold and exhaust? You'll get a bit more power and it'll struggle less.