Amazon Overdrive Query!

[padface]

Hello,

I was hoping someone could advise me as to whether it is reasonably straight forward to fit an overdrive onto a 1969, 122S, two door Amazon?

I previously owned a P1800E. The overdrive lever on the right of the steering wheel connected to the overdrive via a contact on top of the gearbox which made the overdrive only operational when in 4th gear. Does anyone know whether this is the case on the Amazon, and whether all gearboxes are standard i.e. will the electrical contact on the box be present on a car that wasnt originally fitted with overdrive?

Can an overdrive just be bolted on or are additional bits and bobs needed?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Paddy.

[Derek UK]

Put simply, yes it is a bolt in conversion, but you do need all the correct parts. A matching set of coupling flanges for the OD to front prop shaft, which also needs to be the short version or one shortened to suit, have to be found. A matching or modified gearbox cross member also needed.

Some useful reading here. http://www.vclassics.com/archive/odconv.htm

[Andrew (UK)]

An OD will not bolt up to a non-OD box (M40) as is, it would need modifying anyway. Normal method is to get an OD and compatible box (M41) together.

[Ron Kwas]

Paddy;

Having an OD in your Amazon is certainly a nice accessory...I agree with Andrew...Dereks comments are somewhat missleading...anything on these cars will "bolt up", but an OD can just not simply be bolted up to a M40!...the M40 would need to come completely apart to replace the output shaft with the longer one, which acts as input shaft to OD, which is no minor job...then intermediate piece needs to be fitted, and, and, and...the highly preferable technique is to procure an M41/OD assembly and install that!

As far as the control of the solenoid is concerned, you need to select your preferred manner of control, and wire it up...four versions exist from a simple toggle on dashboard, to a momentary switch with a sequencing relay to prevent what I call "unwanted reactivation" when shifting out of fourth/OD and back in... See: http://sw-em.com/OD_Retrofitting.htm

Cheers from Connecticut!

[Derek UK]

I didn't imply, or didn't mean to appear to imply, that the OD just bolts onto the existing gearbox. I just said "using the correct parts". Replacing the M40 with an M41/OD is included in that description. The VClassics link and other articles in their Tech Archive covers the conversion well IMO.
If the '69 122S in question is a B20 and is late enough to come with a 4.30 diff, that's a bonus.

[Ron Kwas]

Derek;

...and I didn't mean to offend, it's just it should be made perfectly clear to those inexperienced owners asking, because given half a chance, they will hear what they want to, and quite possibly get in way over their heads...no harm, no foul...we're both trying to be of help.

Cheers

[padface]

Thankyou for the help and advice gents -much appreciated.

A fair bit of food for thought - I will keep my eyes peeled for a complete box/overdrive to minimise any problems.

Cheers,

Paddy

[Clan]

It's worth remembering that when the 120 was fitted with an overdrive it had a lower rear axle ratio , this gave it excellent performance and the overdrive would make for relaxed cruising . maybe with an O/D and higher axle ratio the edge may be talken off the performance? ( never tried that mix , but have fitted a 5 speed 1.7 tranaxle into a 1.4 343 )

[swede]

Remember late model amazons have a cable clutch as do the 1800E and ES. Also some 1800E's were fitted with the M410 overdrive gearbox and that's what I've got in my Amazon. I've got the original M40 top cover so that I still have the Amazon gearlever but with an overdrive inhibitor switch fitted so that the overdrive only works in top gear. A modified propshaft was required.

[B20 123GT]

dont forget the drive shaft length : )