Thread: Hello Series one freaks

welcome to the forum Graceysdad, hope you enjoy your time here

Depends on which Series 1!

The very early Series 1 had full time four wheel drive via a free wheel unit. This was replaced by a selectable front wheel drive in about 1951. This only affected the transfer case extension, the main transfer case remained unchanged from its introduction to the end of Series 3 production*.

The main gearbox, originally designed I believe in 1932, remained essentially unchanged until the introduction of the synchromesh gearbox just before the Series 3 (home market station wagons only I believe).

*Throughout the production of the gearbox and transfer case there were progressive changes in details, including juggling of ratios and the introduction of unified threads to replace British Standard ones, plus beefing up of the transfer intermediate shaft and replacing reverse gear bushes with bearings. However, the main changes were during Series 2a production, and in fact from about 1953 to well into 2a production there were essentially no changes.

So if you mean fairly late S1, and S2 (not 2a) there are no differences that I can think of. And they are all interchangeable with minor modifications or as units.

Hope that helps.

John

Originally Posted by graceysdad

Hi all, guess I am the new guy here, got a little Series1 I am poking along at a snails pace with it, Can somebody tell me the difference between a S1 gearbox and a S2 box including the T/case if any at all.

Gracey's Dad

I object to being called a freak!

Weirdo, Nutter or Fruitcake are O.K.

As John suggested there are some changes but it is easiest if we knew what model you have and can therefore tell you what the box should be like.

The main thing is that because the external dimensions and main fittings remain constant it is possible to use any series gearbox/transfer box in any series model (excepting the Stage 1 V8 and 4BDI)

The constant 4WD output that John mentioned can be identified by a 2 piece housing on the front of the transfer box.

There are a number or ratio changes in the series boxes which means that you have to be careful to replace pairs or combinations of mating gears, although the mainshaft and layshaft remain unchanged through to the Series 2 model.

The bronze bush between 3rd and 2nd gear changed so care has to be taken when setting up the box to make sure you have the correct mating parts.

There are a number of differences in the S2a gearboxes starting with a change in the size of the front layshaft bearing and ratio changes.

The strongest Series box is the suffix D and later boxes although the ratios are a bit tall for the 1.6 litre engine of the early 80" series 1 and possibly also the 2 litre engine.

The bell housing on the 1948 through 1954 are all the same. There is a change in the bell housing for the 1955 -'58 2 litre models and also further bellhousing changes for the 2 1/4 litre engine and 6 cylinder engines.

Early Series 3 (all synchromesh) gearboxes have a habit of throwing the reverse gear idler out the side of the casing in reverse. (The reverse ratio is higher than the 1st gear ratio.) The Series 3 also has a different type of clutch withdrawal. It is possible to fit the Series 2a bellhousing to the S3 box. More difficult to do similar with the s1 and s2 bellhousing because of the smaller layshaft bearing and clutch withdrawal housing.

I hope this helps.

Diana

Sorry, fellow fruits then, my gearbox is ratted but I have a S2 box in good condition was wondering if it will fit, guess it will