Auto to manual transmission swap
 

Hello folks:
I am in the process of purchasing a very nice 1982 242 DL with auto transmission, I would like to ask a couple of questions; 1 is the M47 5 speed a good choice? That been said what is the most reliable source of manual transmissions for this matter ?
Tks for your advice
Basque1

Manual tranny swaps are popular and well documented on these cars.

The auto sure sucks, its heavy as hell too.

You could choose between the M47 or the M46 + OD, Id go M46 + OD to have a period correct car. The M47 is fine but nothing insane, the gear ratios are a bit weird imo, but I drove modern cars before so this may explain that !

Its still an involving job tho, be prepared !

I've done this job before and it's not as hard as it sounds, you just need to have all the parts ready to go. Myself and two of my (significantly mechanically experienced) brothers managed to do it over a weekend in two 12 hour days so you're probably looking at about 72 man-hours if it's your first go and you're using hand tools.

As a word of warning I recommend making sure that you have the correct cross member and mount for your M46/47 as they're different from the auto cross member and bodging it to fit is just a bad idea. Make sure you also have a pilot bearing ready to go as I forgot this and it nearly scuppered my conversion. Whilst you've got the flywheel off I recommend changing the rear main seal as well but remember, to do this properly you'll need a new gasket for the seal cover as well as the rear main seal itself. Might be an idea to change the propshaft bearing on the middle support before you install the new propshaft as well.

Best of luck,

Alex

You probably need the appropriate prop shaft?

Also a gearbox with a speedometer cable take-off point? (Or if you have but don't need it then blank it off to stop oil dribbling out)

I'm on the hunt for an auto gearbox cross member for my project.

So let me know if you want to see yours.

In fact we could do a swap/sale
My car is a 1992, originally is fitted with an M47 'box, so once I've pulled it all out (over xmas) I could part with it.