I’m having very reluctantly to convert my manual V8 250 to an automatic. It’s going to have to be a BW 35 for cost and simplicity. My question is: is there any alternative to the column shift? Would a floor mounted shift from an old xjs or similar fit? I suppose I could always mount the shift horizontally on the floor!

 

no experience with this but I imagine a center console shifter can be adapted.

 

I am extremely ignorant of automatics, especially the older ones, but I thought the model 35 is the one fitted to the 6 cylinder series XJ. They have the more common type of floor change (centre console) which connects mechanically to the gearbox via a sort of Bowden cable arrangement. Presumably that could be installed in place of the Daimler's staulk on the steering column.

 

Cass has a Model 35 on his S Type & is probably the forum specialist in this regard. Send him a PM to look at your thread. The long version of this Manual exceeds this boards maximum permissible in size.

 

Thanks for the big up Glyn but I am far from a specialist just because I have one. That is like saying just because I have a telescope I am suddenly an astrologer and can name the stars.
What I can say is that the BW35 has the same column change as the DG250 auto box and when fitted to the 250v8 with the BW35 box, it also had the column change. (A friend of mine has a BW35 in his 250v8.) There is a set of mechanical levers under the dash which as Pete stated operates a Bowden cable and on the side of the gear box it is simply a single lever that is pulled and pushed up and down by the cable. So fitting a later shifter from an XJ6 on the floor would not be impossible. Not something I have seen or done but the principal of a shifter pushing and pulling the cable is the same. You would have to have a cable made to the correct length and get a shifter setup that mimics the straight gear selection ie P,R,N,D,2,1 in a straight line but other than getting it fitted I see no problems.
There are a couple of setups on the BW35 box though. For instance the Jaguar BW35 had as above P,R,N,D,2,1 but the BW35 was also used in the Rover P5b and the Triumph where the setup was different and only had P,R,N,D,2. The ratios for the gearing might alter as well but I am only guessing here and the difference I would assume is minimal. Lastly though talking of ratios I would assume the rear axle Diff ratios for the Auto box and the Manual cars are different and I am sure some one else can shed light on that. Putting the BW35 box on to a manual rear diff might make it really sluggish on acceleration or you might have a very high revving engine at 70 mph.

 

You are being modest Rob. You have answered some questions on the Register very well on the 35. The BW35 was also very popular on Volvo.

 

I was just looking on E Bay and there are a couple of Rover BW 35 gear boxes for sale for less than £750 and you are possibly better off going down this route. I say this because the gear selector used in the Rover was floor mounted and parts are easy to come buy. You could buy the whole selector section and cable which would mate up to the Rover BW 35 box better. This is a refurbished BW35 for £750.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265005345...Bk9SR5q_5c-LYg
Same company does the Daimler V8 BW35 box for the same price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263797383...Bk9SR9CQitCLYg

Further thoughts are that you would need an Auto gear box mount https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165733203...Bk9SR9CQitCLYg and a Propshaft from the Auto Daimler 250v8. Possibly the bell housing from an original Daimler BW35 to mate with the Turner V8. The kick down cables and mounts on the carbs. Also the BW35 that I have in my 1968 S type has an oil cooler in the bottom of the water radiator. You can either get an Auto radiator with the oil cooler (Expensive) or just fit an after market oil cooler in front of the original rad.

 

I have a center console gearshift assembly in my XJ-6 website you can look at and analyze. Maybe it is what you are talking about. Came off a 1978 Series 2 XJ-6 with a BW65 transmission. Pictures located in the PARTS page of my website: This assembly mounts on the transmission tunnel and gear changes are through a cable.
https://jagupgrades.webstarts.com