Can you put an auto box onto a manual engine?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Donegal Paul - 02 Feb 2004 15:48 GMT

I am assuming that you can, it would be silly if not, however, I am
wondering how much work we are talking logistically??? Anyone had to do it?

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

Graham W - 02 Feb 2004 17:03 GMT

> I am assuming that you can,

No.

The oil passageways are completely different.

> it would be silly if not, however, I am wondering how much work we are
> talking logistically??? Anyone had to do it?

Logistically we are talking very major work, such that although it is in
principle possible, I've never actually heard of anyone bothering. And
that is despite how much cheaper auto motors are.

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 02 Feb 2004 17:32 GMT

> > I am assuming that you can,
>
> No.

Bugger

> The oil passageways are completely different.

bugger

> > it would be silly if not, however, I am wondering how much work we are
> > talking logistically??? Anyone had to do it?
>
> Logistically we are talking very major work, such that although it is in
> principle possible, I've never actually heard of anyone bothering. And
> that is despite how much cheaper auto motors are.

Yea but there just don't seem to be many about :-(

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

chris - 02 Feb 2004 22:42 GMT

> Yea but there just don't seem to be many about :-(

Tried looking for metro auto lumps?
The vanden plas metro auto is basically an MG metro auto ;-)
and is a straight swap with an existing mini auto lump (barring the
thermostat housings having to be swapped)

hth

chris

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 02 Feb 2004 22:58 GMT

> > Yea but there just don't seem to be many about :-(

> Tried looking for metro auto lumps?
> The vanden plas metro auto is basically an MG metro auto ;-)
> and is a straight swap with an existing mini auto lump (barring the
> thermostat housings having to be swapped)

Ah but im not looking to put it in a mini :-)

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

David Betts - 03 Feb 2004 08:07 GMT

>I am assuming that you can, it would be silly if not, however, I am
>wondering how much work we are talking logistically??? Anyone had to do it?

I understand that it's a major job anyway, but why would anybody want
to? Original autos may be of interest as rarities or curiosities, but
surely nobody would actually want one for the driving experience.

Regards, David Betts
davidb@minilist.org
The Mini Gallery:
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334

Reply to this Message

Haje Jan Kamps - 03 Feb 2004 09:28 GMT

> I understand that it's a major job anyway, but why would anybody want
> to? Original autos may be of interest as rarities or curiosities, but
> surely nobody would actually want one for the driving experience.

I am not too sure, actually.. until my auto gearbox gave way completely,
it was a surprisingly comfortable drive. The gearchanges are smooth and
transparent, and it is quite relaxing not to have to bother with
gearing. Of course there are hundreds of reasons to have a manual box,
not least the fact that it is easier to start if you have a flat battery
etc, but I think ruling out the autos as unwanted is a bit harsh.

Mind you, I am quite enjoying driving a manual now, but I think that is
mostly because of the change from 998 -> 1275 cooper

h

Reply to this Message

David Betts - 03 Feb 2004 10:15 GMT

>> I understand that it's a major job anyway, but why would anybody want
>> to? Original autos may be of interest as rarities or curiosities, but
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>transparent, and it is quite relaxing not to have to bother with
>gearing.

I'm quite prepared to believe it is comfortable and relaxing - at
least for a Mini - but then is that what Minis are about? Surely it's
the nippiness and chuckability that elevates them from the dross. Take
that away and you've just got a noisy little box that doesn't go very
quickly ;-)>.

>Of course there are hundreds of reasons to have a manual box,
>not least the fact that it is easier to start if you have a flat battery
>etc, but I think ruling out the autos as unwanted is a bit harsh.

Not least that changing gear is fun, surely, and part of the Mini
driving experience. I'll quite often stick it up a gear higher than I
need to between corners simply to enjoy the heel-and-toe
downchanges.....and that 's just between here and the shops <g>.

>Mind you, I am quite enjoying driving a manual now, but I think that is
>mostly because of the change from 998 -> 1275 cooper

A *real* Cooper, I take it. Most 998s are actually rather more
spritely (no pun intended) than a standard 1275 mpi.

Regards, David Betts
davidb@minilist.org
The Mini Gallery:
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334

Reply to this Message

Graham W - 03 Feb 2004 15:05 GMT

> I'm quite prepared to believe it is comfortable and relaxing - at
> least for a Mini - but then is that what Minis are about? Surely it's
> the nippiness and chuckability that elevates them from the dross. Take
> that away and you've just got a noisy little box that doesn't go very
> quickly ;-)>.

What does changing your own gears have to do with "nippiness and
chuckability"? Nothing.

The auto box is a four speed with closer ratios than the manual, so it
does not suffer the gutlessness of many small 2 and 3 speed autos from
the same era right through to the early 1990s.

And in a Minimatic, if you really really have to change your own gears,
you can.

Reply to this Message

David Betts - 04 Feb 2004 07:39 GMT

>> I'm quite prepared to believe it is comfortable and relaxing - at
>> least for a Mini - but then is that what Minis are about? Surely it's
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>What does changing your own gears have to do with "nippiness and
>chuckability"? Nothing.

All autos I've ever driven are sluggish off the line and never in the
right gear at the right time - which to me has a great deal to do with
nippiness and chuckability. (OK, so you can manually select, but then
what's the point of the auto....plus there's no clutch so no skill
element.) For me, Mini autos will never be anything more than a
curiosity.

Regards, David Betts
davidb@minilist.org
The Mini Gallery:
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334

Reply to this Message

Graham W - 04 Feb 2004 12:04 GMT

> All autos I've ever driven are sluggish off the line and never in the
> right gear at the right time - which to me has a great deal to do with
> nippiness and chuckability.

Then they weren't set up right. Chances are they had the throttle to
gearbox linkage set far too conservatively.

Reply to this Message

Alexander Boucke - 04 Feb 2004 09:27 GMT

>> I understand that it's a major job anyway, but why would anybody want
>> to? Original autos may be of interest as rarities or curiosities, but
>> surely nobody would actually want one for the driving experience.

I know these autoboxes from the bigger Austin 1300. And it is a real joy to
drive - I wouldn't change it for a manual. The driving experience is just
great. OK, you leave a little in terms of speed and acceleration on the
open road, but otherwise it's just fun. This is the only autobox I know
that has really immediate responses to changes of throttle and load. So as
long as you stay in D the gears can be selected with the right foot very
well. And if it suits the situation better, you can still select all gears
manually.

Regards,

Alexander

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 03 Feb 2004 12:39 GMT

"David Betts" replied to"Donegal Paul">

> >I am assuming that you can, it would be silly if not, however, I am
> >wondering how much work we are talking logistically??? Anyone had to do it?
>
> I understand that it's a major job anyway, but why would anybody want
> to? Original autos may be of interest as rarities or curiosities, but
> surely nobody would actually want one for the driving experience.

I want to basically get hold of a knackered auto with good engine and box
for a project trike.

The reason for the auto? Once in drive its just a matter of twist an go,
imagine manual gearchange on a trike! :-/
problem is trying to find an auto donor :-(

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

Graham W - 03 Feb 2004 15:06 GMT

> I want to basically get hold of a knackered auto with good engine and
> box for a project trike.
>
> The reason for the auto? Once in drive its just a matter of twist an go,
> imagine manual gearchange on a trike! :-/
> problem is trying to find an auto donor :-(

Keep an eye out for an auto which only goes backwards. This is the
classic symptom of a dead forward clutch. Replacing a forward clutch is
a doddle.

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 03 Feb 2004 23:45 GMT

> > I want to basically get hold of a knackered auto with good engine and
> > box for a project trike.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> classic symptom of a dead forward clutch. Replacing a forward clutch is
> a doddle.

Cheers for that tip!

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

chris - 03 Feb 2004 15:07 GMT

> I want to basically get hold of a knackered auto with good engine and box
> for a project trike.
>
> The reason for the auto? Once in drive its just a matter of twist an go,
> imagine manual gearchange on a trike! :-/
> problem is trying to find an auto donor :-(

It all becomes clearer!! Good choice as you can build the trike around the
subframe, no need to worry bout suspension too much - only the top mounts
for the shocks. Won't the track be a bit thin though?

And, would you fit 10" wheels or bigger!?

chris

Reply to this Message

The Muffin Man - 03 Feb 2004 17:32 GMT

Get a mini PCD machined into a set of alloy tractor wheels ;)

The Muffin Man

> > I want to basically get hold of a knackered auto with good engine and box
> > for a project trike.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> chris

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 03 Feb 2004 23:46 GMT

"chris" said to Donegal paul
I want to basically get hold of a knackered auto with good engine and box

> > for a project trike.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> subframe, no need to worry bout suspension too much - only the top mounts
> for the shocks. Won't the track be a bit thin though?

Track?

> And, would you fit 10" wheels or bigger!?

10" maximum

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

Graham W - 04 Feb 2004 01:04 GMT

> "chris" said to Donegal paul
> > Won't the track be a bit thin though?

> Track?

Width from one wheel to the other.

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 04 Feb 2004 08:08 GMT

> > "chris" said to Donegal paul
> > > Won't the track be a bit thin though?
>
> > Track?
>
> Width from one wheel to the other.

nah, its not going to be a long trike anyway, probably be quite "stubby"

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

The Muffin Man - 03 Feb 2004 17:31 GMT

You pinched my idea!! The gear linkage is also on the wrong side of the
engine to do a manual gearbox easily.

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=trike+group:alt.autos.mini&hl=en&lr=&ie=UT
F-8&group=alt.autos.mini&selm=6BSj6.380%24nl.222146%40news3.cableinet.net&rn
um=4

The Muffin Man

> "David Betts" replied to"Donegal Paul">
> > >I am assuming that you can, it would be silly if not, however, I am
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
> www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

Donegal Paul - 03 Feb 2004 23:47 GMT

> You pinched my idea!! The gear linkage is also on the wrong side of the
> engine to do a manual gearbox easily.

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=trike+group:alt.autos.mini&hl=en&lr=&ie=UT

F-8&group=alt.autos.mini&selm=6BSj6.380%24nl.222146%40news3.cableinet.net&rn

> um=4
>
> The Muffin Man

hows it going then?

Signature

Donegal Paul
Li Mugello 186 (woohoooooo!)
CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message

The Muffin Man - 04 Feb 2004 00:17 GMT

A million and one things happened including another pickup project ;)

The Muffin Man

> > You pinched my idea!! The gear linkage is also on the wrong side of the
> > engine to do a manual gearbox easily.

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=trike+group:alt.autos.mini&hl=en&lr=&ie=UT

F-8&group=alt.autos.mini&selm=6BSj6.380%24nl.222146%40news3.cableinet.net&rn

> > um=4
> >
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> CB350SG (Rebuilt and running!)
> www.thepilgrimssc.co.uk

Reply to this Message