Continuing the rolling restoration of my 1969 2+2



Front suspension and rear suspension are done. Now its time to proceed with the transmission swap. The engine is out, and auto transmission is removed. Proceeding with mating the engine to the new 5 speed. I’ve read a lot on the forum about the challenges of getting the slave cylinder and new clutch to operate properly in a custom bell housing. I plan on testing the clutch operation before I re-install the engine with some temporary slave cylinder piping.



I have a question on the transmission tunnel. In a bunch of pictures, I have seen the manual transmission installed with the tunnel cover removed. Was hoping to do that on my car to line everything up but it appears that the automatic transmission cover is welded together and not easily removable in my Series 2, 2+2.



Has anyone had any experience with this challenge? Currently planning on trying to measure the distance from the center of the rear center engine mount to the manual shifter and cut an opening in the transmission tunnel.



Anyone have a better idea?



Thanks in advance.

 

From what I have read in the past, a 2+2 does not need work done on the tunnel to retrofit a manual tranny... as long as it has the same profile as a Moss 4 speed tranny. Even a MK 2 , 4 speed with OD should slip right in.

 

I'm installing a 4 speed, all synchro box in my Series 1.5 2+2 to replace the original auto transmission. I'm not sure about the 5 speed conversion kits, but an E-Type 4 speed transmission plus the 2+2 gearbox extension (C22950) works with the original driveshaft and lines up with the rear mount. However, I did have to greatly enlarge the tunnel opening to clear the top of the gearbox. Attached photo shows my 1st attempt which was too small and had to be opened larger to clear everything. Second photo shows the original opening. Long story short, my advice is to test fit the gearbox in position to accurately assess what you have to do to the tunnel opening. Cheers, Richard

 

I am doing the exact same conversion on exactly the same car!! Your pics help as I am just about ready to start cutting the tunnel. Would you happen to have any dimensions of the cuts?
The other concern I had was the rear mount compatibility and the driveshaft compatibility but you say no problem?
Any advice would be gladly taken!!
Thanks Brian 416-275-8199

 

Brian,
Driveshaft and rear mount should work without modification if you use the 4 speed all-synchro box plus gearbox extension C22950. Another solution is to combine the 4 speed with the compact MKII overdrive used in several Jag saloon cars. An example of the auto to 4 speed w/overdrive swap is shown in the mraven web site below. The JagLovers site also has extensive threads on both conversions in the E-Type forum.

In any case, the dimensions I used are in the attached photos as well as a photo of the gearbox with extension.
Cheers, Richard

Jos Raven PA0AMX

 

Found on eBay. Lucked out as its a KJS prefix which is from a 1968 2+2. Perfect match to my car. Had it gone over. New seals and syncros. Your pics are a tremendous help. Thank you.
Where its notched toward the back, was that the existing cutout to access the coupling bolts?

 

The original hole is aft of the cutout & notch. I notched the cutout to allow access to the shift tower mechanism in case it had to be rebuilt in the future. I probably should have just cut a simple rectangle 13X7, but I was trying to save as much structure as possible.

 

Now I understand. Thank you. Much appreciated. I got the space and hoist to do the job for a limited time (a weekend) so this really helps. Fit and finish can be done afterward. It looks like the original access cover will not work due to the contour of the auto tunnel. Is that correct?

 

I suspect you are correct but I haven't done anything about the tunnel cover and the interior trim over the tunnel yet. My car did not come with those pieces, so I'm going to have to fabricate both. Richard

 

My recollection is that I did use the standard cover when I did this decades ago. That was with a Jag box into a 69 2+2

 

Got the engine and trans back in the car and all hooked up and running. Your measurements of 13x7 worked perfectly. The driveshaft fits perfectly as does the rear mount. I think between loosing the defunct AC and the brutish auto trans I dumped about 300lbs!!
It appears that with a minor bit of trimming the standard cover will work quite nicely.
The car is completely transformed and is now a joy to drive.
Thanks to everyone for their input