Go on then has anyone ever fitted an auto box in a moggie.
i'm a real auto lover (just lazy really)
i'm in the process of trying to find my vehicle i've wanted for donkeys years but i would like to upgrade the engine etc and put an auto in.
any ideas please and thanks
automatic
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paulhumphries
- Minor Legend
- Posts: 1010
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:59 am
- Location: Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent
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As I've found the biggest problem is actually finding a suitable BW65 autobox as the only donor was the post '76 Marina or Ital 1.3 autos.
Lots of cars used the BW65 so you only really need the bellhousing and flexiplate but again I couldn't find one despite numerous wanted adverts everywhere I could think of (including Marina Club !).
If you manage to find a "hens hind teeth" autobox then things aren't too difficult according to the Owen Burton book.
You need new engine mounts that lower it in the car and thus create a little more clearance at the bellhousing for the steering rack.
The bellhousing still requires a chunk cutting out for additional clearance.
The new mounts are also positioned a little further forward which means if you use an Ital engine then the viscous fan will foul the radiator.
Other than that everything else is normal minor items that often need tweaking with engine transplants (exhaust will need to be longer if engine mounted further forward, new prop shaft, wiring etc)
The pre '76 Marina used a BW35 autobox. Owen Burton book says this isn't suitable due to size. After seeing a BW35 and BW65 side by side the 65 is definaltey slimmer.
That's not saying the BW35 cann't be made to fit but it might be more difficult to install and probably not be such a "bolt in" installation as the BW65 (I suspect cutting / welding might be needed to chassis rails).
My opinion is that a complete engine / autobox transplant form another vehicle might be easier.
If I hadn't already got a low mileage 1275 Ital engine then I would have gone for the 1300 Ford Kent engine with autobox out of MKI & MKII Escorts.
Paul Humphries.
Lots of cars used the BW65 so you only really need the bellhousing and flexiplate but again I couldn't find one despite numerous wanted adverts everywhere I could think of (including Marina Club !).
If you manage to find a "hens hind teeth" autobox then things aren't too difficult according to the Owen Burton book.
You need new engine mounts that lower it in the car and thus create a little more clearance at the bellhousing for the steering rack.
The bellhousing still requires a chunk cutting out for additional clearance.
The new mounts are also positioned a little further forward which means if you use an Ital engine then the viscous fan will foul the radiator.
Other than that everything else is normal minor items that often need tweaking with engine transplants (exhaust will need to be longer if engine mounted further forward, new prop shaft, wiring etc)
The pre '76 Marina used a BW35 autobox. Owen Burton book says this isn't suitable due to size. After seeing a BW35 and BW65 side by side the 65 is definaltey slimmer.
That's not saying the BW35 cann't be made to fit but it might be more difficult to install and probably not be such a "bolt in" installation as the BW65 (I suspect cutting / welding might be needed to chassis rails).
My opinion is that a complete engine / autobox transplant form another vehicle might be easier.
If I hadn't already got a low mileage 1275 Ital engine then I would have gone for the 1300 Ford Kent engine with autobox out of MKI & MKII Escorts.
Paul Humphries.