fitting gearbox to A-series engine

[davidmayo]

hi, im trying to find a suitable 5 speed box to fit to a 1275 A-seies engine.
the ford type 9 is a bit thin on the ground unless you dont mind spending £600-700, so i am looking at other possibilities.

fiat 131 gearbox, - will it fit on with a bit of knowhow

i have also found for sale a mazda mx5 5 speed gearbox from a 1.6l and i was thinking this would probably be about right if i could get it to fit. has it ever been done?

thanks, david

[jonathon]

You should be able to purchase a type 9 for £350-400 outright sale, no exchange. There are still loads about, and they are still being made in Germany as new units, don't know what for but our contacts over their ,see no supply problem.The Fiat unit I'd have thought would be much rarer than the Ford
The trouble with other boxes are the bell housings, which are certainly not cheap to produce ,nor easy to design/adapt.
Why not try an MG Midget overdrive box, which is in effect a 6 speed unit with overdrive on 3rd and 4th.

[downsey]

A pretty common conversion in the US and probably australia is the datsun b210 5 speed. Probably the same amount of work as the ford type 9. Not sure how common they are in the UK though but if you can find one its definetely an option

[dunketh]

the ford type 9 is a bit thin on the ground unless you dont mind spending £600-700, so i am looking at other possibilities.

Really?
I remember people struggling to give away old sierras. My boss sold his for £20!
(Wish I'd had it for the engine and box but thats another sob story )

[MoggyTech]

A pretty common conversion in the US and probably australia is the datsun b210 5 speed. Probably the same amount of work as the ford type 9. Not sure how common they are in the UK though but if you can find one its definetely an option

Very hard to find in the UK now, but yes, the 120 Datsun 5 speed is a very sweet gearbox, and if parts supply was still good, it would be my first choice.

[downsey]

Very hard to find in the UK now, but yes, the 120 Datsun 5 speed is a very sweet gearbox, and if parts supply was still good, it would be my first choice.

Definitely a great transmission, my dad has one in his 1275 powered '60 bugeye. Transformed the car.

[jonathon]

The Celica 5 spd was by far the best A series companion, but is now difficult to find. I did read the other day that someone was remanufacturing them, must try and find the article.

[Nadir]

the ford type 9 is a bit thin on the ground unless you dont mind spending £600-700, so i am looking at other possibilities.

4 of them on the bay just now, starting at £45

[paulhumphries]

Don't laugh too much but what about the Lada Riva 5 speed RWD gearbox.
I believe the belhousing pattern could be the same as Fiat.

Paul Humphries

[youngun]

Burtons performance ( a company specialising in performance ford) stock all manner of things Ford, including gearboxs. It might be worth checking out their website to see if they have a type 9.

YG

[bmcecosse]

The LT77 gearbox - Landy/Rover SD1/TR7 is very strong and not expensive - I got 2 for £25 the pair! Of course - you would need to make up an adapter plate to suit the A series block - and a modified prop shaft would be needed. For me - the 5 speed conversion is not worth it - a standard 1098 can't really pull a higher gear anyway - and it will take years (if ever) to repay the conversion cost in fuel savings - if there are any that is !

[dalebrignall]

thats intresting i was thinking of upgrading to a 5 speed when the gear box goes.i wont bother now just get a new 4speed unit

[IslipMinor]

With a 1275 a 5-speed is ideal - I have the Toyota Celica/Corolla T50 with a 3.9 diff ratio and it's perfect. 5th is 20mph/1000 rpm, motorway cruising is very relaxed. With a standard 1275, might want to keep the 4.22 diff to begin with?

Not sure if the fitting kits are still available from Minor Mania in N London?

[nib_nz]

Hi
Have copied a email sent to me a while back on making a plate for a Datsun gearbox you may try emailing the person for more info.

Hope this will help, the plate is a little bit larger than the normal engine plate with a new series of holes drilled & tapped to suit the Datsun box 4 speeds & 5 speeds Marked B 3 holes drilled & countersunk as gearbox fits over these 2 locating lugs fitted to suit gearbox 2 holes drilled & tapped to suit starter mtr, E holes drilled & tapped hole cut out for starter mtr, G cover fitted to cover oil pump, use the original engine plate as a template & add the other holes to suit the gearbox, it is made out of 8mm mild steel plate If you have any more questions email me morriemanor@bigpond.com.au cheers

I have a picture on my web sight of adapter plate.
http://morris-alive.atspace.com/index.htm
Items of interest Item 11. will link you to picture.

Noel

[bmcecosse]

Excellent - v useful - but in your conversion you are obviously not using an A series engine. What engine is it ?

[nib_nz]

Hi
The motor that is in the LCV is a Nissan 1500 with five speed gearbox out of a bluebird station wagon thanks for asking. hope the site was of help to you.

cheers Noel