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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Volvo laycock j type overdrive

What is the difference if any, between a J type overdrive and any other J type. Most importantly could it fit onto my midget 1500?


Thanks
VinceG

The overdrive doesn't just bolt onto the back of the gearbox there are a bunch of parts that go with it that are almost never sold separately.

I think for any specific type of overdrive there may be different ratios but I'm not sure.

I don't know if there is more than one type of J drive.

You should be able to pickup a complete od box since no-one bid on mine (condition unknown when I put it on ebay with a £85 starting price...)
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Don't know about the J type O/D but the Spitfire used the same transmission as the 1500 Midget and a Spit O/D will fit into a late Midget tunnel with only a small amount of modification. This has been covered before, check the archives I'm sure you will find all the details. It's a great addition to a 1500 Midget and usually very inexpensive as well.
Bill Young

Bill,

There are 2 types of overdrive Spitfire box. The type that fits into the Midget is the type that is fitted with a J type of overdrive unit. The type that doesn't fit is fitted with the D type of overdrive.

I haven't found if J type overdrives came with different gear ratios but have established that D type overdrives do so it's reasonable to expect different ratios are available for the J type.

There are books with this kind of info in.....
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Intersting information Daniel, I've never run across a Spit O/D that wouldn't fit in a Midget, but maybe they didn't import the D type boxes over here in the States.
Bill Young

In North America the D-type overdrive was fitted to the 1962-1973 Spits, the J-type to the 1974-1980 models.

These boxes are very common here and can be had for peanuts (mine came with a free car!) as people give up on their special projects and part with them (the whole car)on the cheap.

R
Richard 1979 1500

This thread was discussed between 23/12/2008 and 25/12/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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