mk1 gearbox

[pippadee]

Hi, referring to our problem with our 1700v4 4speed box, we have located a good gearbox and overdrive unit. The problem now is it leaves a 60mm gap between the end of the overdrive and our prop shaft. We have a fixed shaft on our van. We know from the haynes manual that the end of the prop needs a flange to connect to the overdrive but this isn't going to close the gap. Is our only option to have our prop lengthened and rebalanced?

[madmark]

normally a overdrive has a split prop ,so you would need to get one from a mk2 overdrive! i dont know if your one would work if it was extended! cant see why not!

[baconsdozen]

You have to have a sliding section on the propshaft if the gearbox you've fitted has a flange fitting (virtually all overdrive units have) .Otherwise the prop will not be able to accomodate the changes in length that occur as the rear axle deflects up and down.Eventually if you are lucky the gearbox bearing or the axle bearing will disintegrate as they are not designed to run under any thrust loading.If you are unlucky,the front or rear spiders will start to break up,if they break up competely it will result in severe damage to the vehicle underside and a possible accident if it occurs at speed.(if the front UJ fails the prop will drop down and the van will try and pole vault over it,imagine that at 60mph).If you measure the prop length you can get one made with a sliding section,I cant see how you could fit a shortened Mk1 or 2 split prop as the transmission angles will be all wrong and there is the difficulty in accomodating the centre bearing assembly.

[pippadee]

Right, we need to keep a sliding joint on the end of our fixed prop(swb) but to connect to the overdrive it needs the flange fitting. So sorry for being dumb but how we do we do this?

[baconsdozen]

Hello the easiest thing is to get a propshaft made.If you get the front flage pattern and the rear (easiest way is to place a bit of brown paer over them and tap round with a hammer and so make a paper pattern,the measure the distance between the gearbox and axle flange.Get in touch with some one like the propshaft clinic (or use google to find another specialist) and tell them what you want to do,that you need to icorporate a sliding joint,the type of vehicle and ask for a quote.If you can get hold of a shaft that has a flange thet fits the axle (like the one you will remove) and another to fit the front this will keep the cost down.I hope this helps
Regards Kevin.