Series3 LHD to RHD conversion - DIY task?

[PJ54]

Hi All. While my LHD S3 2+2 is on the oceans coming over from the US, I have started considering the option of converting to RHD. There is a debate over whether to keep LHD for originality, although currently leaning towards the conversion. (rather than driving in the ditch ... as the previous owner described it!)
There is Mike Cassidy's comprehensive conversion write up and have read of some of the issues with the wiper/wiper motor, the indicator stalk and the ignition switch. Then, there is the option of using the Ford Mondeo steering rack or the Kiley-Clinton rebuild of your LHD steering rack.
My first question is whether this is a task for the average home mechanic who is unfamiliar with the model? The restoration specialists will be very familiar with the task but would like to have a go if it's not going to cause major headaches and take three years! Has anyone done a write up? Thanks.

[Gfhug]

PJ54, do you have a name or do we have to be formal?

Some of this will come down to your own skills and time. How are you for both? If you have read Mike's excellent explanations are you happy you could do the tasks involved?

You say you're a home mechanic, that can describe anyone from a hit it with a hammer person to a very skilled artisan. How comprehensive a workshop do you have, tools, equipment, etc.?

You could answer a lot of your own concerns by answering the above then those who've done it can best aim their advice for you.

Good luck

Geoff

[abowie]

As the cars were designed to be either LHD or RHD and were built to order at the factory, everything is pretty much "bolt on".

My experience with RHD conversions is limited to 6 cylinder cars but AFAIK there shouldn't be any problems with a S3 car that a competent amateur couldn't deal with. It is mostly a process of removing the LHD specific components and sourcing and installing the RHD ones. You won't need to do any welding etc.

From experience it is better to replace the LHD wiring looms with new ones, rather than going down the rabbit hole of trying to modify LHD looms to suit.

As you say Mike C's article is pretty comprehensive.

IIRC there was a problem with sourcing RHD power steering racks for the S3, although SNGB seem to offer them as a special order part.

[PJ54]

Hi Geoff and Andrew, Many thanks for your replies and suggested positions. Yes, I have hit it with a hammer in the past and personally observed a few low flying spanners. I also recently saw a few sockets! In truth, I have adjustable ramps and jacks, but sadly no 4 post lift in my garage and no workshop facilities.
The appeal of the project as a home DIY task was based on the point that Andrew raised, in that little if any fabrication was required and all parts seem readily available , even replacing all the pedals to get the correct offset. Replacing the front wiring loom removes some reliability issues too. Just wondered if any forum members had taken a S3 LHD driver and converted to RHD at home without extensive workshop facilities. For now, I will assume the air conditioning equipment has to be junked!
Thanks again, Phil.

[AussieEtype]

I will assume the air conditioning equipment has to be junked!

While have the parts from a LHD A/C unit and most say it will not fit, I have done some measuring and I think with some thinking outside the box, it could be made to fit. The console will fit with trimming of the end to clear the RHD ignition switch, turn the evaporator upside down, modify the trunking so air comes in from the left hand side - cut off the fan and turn upside down - and rebuild/rejoin everything. A lot of fabricating and rejoining but the end results would be a a A/c system that looks original.

[lowact]

Hello Phil. I’ve (just) done it, S3. Thanks to Bill (AngelW) for all the tips and tricks.

Don’t need a new loom, just fold existing LH loom over to the RH, slowly tease it into new position.

Steering rack, only RH bit u need is the cast aluminum end of the rack which Bill makes/sells. All other (LH) steering components can be reused, incl all rack internals, pinion and hydraulic hoses. Here is pic of my LH pinion on RH side, waiting for tubing to connect to the hoses.


Convert yr LH upper steering column to RH by drilling out the plug and rotating the ignition key/flasher stalk housing 180 deg and replugging (with epoxy).

LH pedals can be bent for RH however there will be a height difference of 5 mm.

Everything else u need (not much) is readily available and bolt-on. Having said that …

The task may grow to be more than just the conversion. How well do you know this car? Due to age, everything elastomeric that is “original” will be ineffective, hardened, perished, cracked. E.g. inlet valve seals, crankshaft seals, gearbox seals, final drive (diff) seals, wheel hub inner and outer seals, distributor seal, all o-rings everywhere, suspension bushes, etc. All original hydraulic cylinders, steering rack, brake master, brake slave, even clutch, may be corroded. To renew requires everything to be dismantled and reassembled. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Compared to this, L/R conversion effort is insignificant. To fix everything yourself would require plenty of room, a hoist, hydraulic press, dial gauge, tools you currently don’t know exist and, when you finally do find the rust, a digital pulse inverter tig welder. And an interest in the journey, not just destination. Or a limited budget. Just remember you are not alone …

[PJ54]

Hi AussieEtype - Thanks for your suggestions on the air conditioning and great to consider the system could be saved in RHD format albeit with a bit of head scratching and some considered fabrication. With our moderate climate in the UK ( it was 30 degrees C yesterday!) a working aircon system is not essential although would be nice to keep it going, if possible. On a wider issue, the car was last run using R12 refrigerant which is now banned and even R134a is to be phased out in favour of R1234yf. Can an R12 system be safely recharged with R134a if the correct connectors and additives are used?
Hi Colin - Thanks for your feedback and advice. Your comments make a home conversion seem possible and is possibly a winter project. I will contact Bill regarding his RHD aluminium housing for the tower. Is that your excellent pipe bending skills on display in the photo or are those standard pipes? Appreciate the gentle warning that the LHD to RHD conversion may not be the only jobs on my worksheet. The car has spent much time in the Arizona climate, but it has been enthusiast owned for 40 years, so well maintained. Attached is a photo of the engine bay.

Engine.jpg (166.58 KiB) Viewed 4409 times

[PJ54]

A different view of the engine bay. Concours judges and experts please advise on all problems and errors....

[AussieEtype]

Hi AussieEtype - Can an R12 system be safely recharged with R134a if the correct connectors and additives are used?

I cannot help you with that, you would need to speak to your local A/C expert. I am sure the system could be refitted to run the new gas with new pipes, seals etc etc but I dont really know. As I said I just did some measuring of the in cab components to see if something could be done. I have a spare XJC V12 engine and it has the aircon compressor etc on it but I never got to the stage of seeing if it could be converted to the new gas.

Good luck with the conversion.

Garry.

[Gfhug]

Phil, this may seem obvious but take lots of photos of every item you remove, even with changing to RHD it’ll help you visualise how things work to let you set everything up fresh in the new configuration.
And feel free to post photos to ask questions, as you’ve found there are a lot of helpful and friendly people onboard.
Keep us posted of how you get on and add your name to your signature area.

Cheers

Geoff

[johnetype]

Can an R12 system be safely recharged with R134a if the correct connectors and additives are used?

The answer is yes.

The caveats are that the system had to be working when it last ran on R12 (obviously) and an R12 system converted to R134a will not be as efficient as it would have been on R12. So, taking that on board my suggestion would be to move the system over to R134a and see how it works (you'll need a new receiver drier) and if it's adequate then fine, if it isn't then you can invest in a modern compressor to get better performance.

[PJ54]

Thanks Geoff, Garry and John for your feedback. It's good to know there are owners out there with this level of experience. I may try to get the A/C working in LHD configuration and have a drive with the car in LHD, and then move forward to the RHD option. Appreciate all the feedback.
Thanks, Phil.

[PJ54]

Thanks Geoff, Garry and John for your feedback. It's good to know there are owners out there with this level of experience. I may try to get the A/C working in LHD configuration and have a drive with the car in LHD, and then move forward to the RHD option. Appreciate all the feedback.
Thanks, Phil.

[Adamski]

Certainly for UK they are not the same car. US models are full of emission stuff and also the air con dasd is different, side lights, bumpers. I spot them a mile off. Call me a snob.

[Helmut]

I am about to start a conversion on a '74 SIII 2+2 from RHD to LHD and would be more than happy to exchange parts.

[Nick V12 e type]

Hi I have a 1972 LHD e type and would be very interested in exchanging LHD parts for RHD parts. Dash Pannels, steering rack, etc etc. I’m not in any hurry, do get in touch if you are interested in exchanging parts.

Kind regards

Nick