S1 2+2 auto

[Dalesexton]

Hi, I'm new to forums so may take a bit of time to understand the etiquette so please bare with me. I am also new to E types having bought a '66 2+2 restoration project, a couple of years ago and kept it in storage until now. The cars shell is in excellent condition, literally no rush (was in dry storage for 30+ years before I bought it). Unfortunately, I bought the car as a partially begun restoration project and as such most of the car had been stripped down. I know the car was involved in a front end crash at some point as the engine frame has been straightened ( I know this is not acceptable with Reynolds tubing so will be replacing both sides). The engine has also been replaced and a rebuilt engine came with the car but never fitted. I'm happy with the engine as it has obviously undergone a full rebuild. My concern is the auto gearbox (also out of car) which, regardless of which position I move the selector on the side of the box, I can't turn the input or output shaft. Should I be able to turn either shaft by hand? My concern is that the front end shunt has pushed the engine and gearbox so far backwards that it has damaged the shafts, is this possible? To also compound my concern that the driveline has been damaged, the diff appears to be locked (the car roles backwards and forwards ok but try to turn the rear wheels individually is impossible). Any words of advice or does anyone know a good auto gearbox company in the North West of the UK who could check it over.

[mgcjag]

Hi...welcom to the forum...whats your name...please try to put it with your car model in the signature area....new frames are obviously a must but also checking the bulkhead where they mount...to make sure all is aligned..if you think the front impact was serious enough to push engine back then you also need to look at the tunnel area..and rear irs mounts if you think diff has been damaged....basically a full alignment check.....quite a few on here have replaced auto gearboxes for a manual plus overdrive......an ad in our wanted section should find an auto box in good order......or consider a manual whilst your doing a major rebuild as now is the best/easiest time.....enjoy the forum....Steve

[Dalesexton]

Cheers Steve, my name now added ....

Thanks for the advice, the bulkhead doesn't appear to have been damaged in any way but the support rod from the bulkhead to the top of the gearbox was still attached and was bent backwards so definitely been pushed back. The area were the rear gearbox mounting plate bolts on to the chassis looks ok and in line but the front of the tunnel does have signs of gearbox impact. The IRS mounting brackets all appear uneffected so not sure if the prop shaft was able to slide backwards enough along the front flange to prevent transfer to the diff. If I was to convert to a manual are the parts readily available, clutch pedal etc, or do you think I would struggle?

[mgcjag]

Hi Dale......unfortunatly to convert to manual you cant just buy everything off the shelf....but it is out there you just need to search.....it will make your car more desirable and increase the value.....is it a lhd.....twin strombergs or triple su,s.......this may be of interest http://www.jaguarsparesdays.co.uk ....Steve

[Dalesexton]

Steve, it’s a RHD with triple SUs

[christopher storey]

Dale : the locking of the final drive is quite normal if your car has the PowrLok limited slip diff( very common). Since you can push the car both ways there is nothing wrong there. The autobox sounds more of a problem although if the torque converter is not present then I think you would need more leverage than just finger pressure to turn the input shaft . About the output shaft I am just not sure . There is a chap who IIRC is called harvey who posts widely on the Rover P5 and P6 club forums who is a specialist in BW boxes and it may be worth trying a search in those forums to see if you can pick his brains

[Dalesexton]

Steve thanks for the advice. Would you know what I need to look for to confirm the diff is limited slip? I’ll try to find ‘Harvey’ re the box

[Dalesexton]

Sorry, thanks Christopher!

[christopher storey]

The sure sign of an LSD is that if, with both wheels off the ground, you turn one wheel, the opposite wheel turns in the same direction. Also, the backplate of the diff may have a PL tag attached to it in addition to the ratio tag e.g. 43/14

[Dalesexton]

Thanks for that. I’ll have a look when I get the car off the ground.