Hi, has anyone converted a manual mk 2 to an automatic BW35. If so, does the transmission tunnel need to be swapped or modified?

 

The manual tunnelis considerably smaller than the automatic.

 

It will foul the tunnel. A nightmare.

 

They even have different consoles.

 

Why in Hell would one want to install an auto over a manual _ learn to drive the manual ?

Only one time I could have used an auto _ I was stuck in traffic, even my runners/cyclists legs felt worked out the next day !
If one finds the clutch heavy, I diaphragm clutch is available.

A pre-selector trans would be ideal, but they never made one to fit, as far as I know.

 

Jeff, From previous posts, I think the OP has some physical difficulties that have motivated his questions.

Still, given the complication of modifying the tunnel, it might be worth the extra expense of a ZF4 as it's a generation ahead of an old 3 speed.

Does anyone know how DVLA might react to the tunnel modify (if they find out)? There are some unbelievable stories on the internet of cars losing historic status for a hole to pass a cable through a bulkhead or similar

 

The transmission tunnel for an automatic is both wider and shorter than the manual version. It would take both metalwork and interior retrimming to make the modification, as well as modification to the steering column to accommodate the shifter.

 

Hi Peter, you are indeed correct- I am forced to convert to automatic transmission as I now need to fit hand controls. Would you know if a manual gearbox would fit in an automatic transmission tunnel? Thanks, Val.

 

Val, Convert auto to manual has been done many times so I would guess that it isn't too difficult, though it involves collecting a few parts.

Going back to your original question of converting manual to automatic, it may be worth contacting Graham Whitehouse
https://www.gwautos.com/
He knows a lot about automatic transmissions in classic cars and might be able to come up with a solution.

 

Ken Jenkins is also extremely knowledgeable on all matters Jaguar and especially Auto boxes. Sorry the link is to his store but he is building a new website. Old site had Orlando's car on the header page regarding BW DG250 matters.

https://www.ukjag.co.uk/store/

 

Borg-Warner autos seem to have a huge bell for the torque converter and quite a wide sump underneath. Certainly that's the case for the type 66 on my spare engine. There may be another type of auto that's more compact. Graham Whitehouse has some experience of welding the front face of B-W bells to the back of another make. It might introduce some possibilities for the present problem. But it obviously isn't a low cost process.

Ken and Annie Jenkins' e-mail is ukjag@hotmail.com

 

Depending on how attached you are to your particular car, it might be easier to sell yours and buy an automatic. That would probably be cheaper in the long run.

 

Thanks Peter.

 

I think the car in question is a special 2 door Daimler V8 with a soft top conversion so selling it to get another similar with an Auto box would not be possible. This is the only photo I have so fresh photos of the car from Coxydaimler might help. I think this is a link to the car when up for auction with some better photos.
https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction...lot=11437&sd=1