I’m in midst of preparing to swap out the BW12 in one of my 72’s for an original 4 speed Overdrive box. As anyone in the states knows… a left hand drive XJ6 with an original manual box is as rare as hen’s teeth.
So the hard stuff is done. First I found the transmission (thanks Peter) and I also have the correct clutch pedal box (2 of them) but they’re from RHD cars. I finally found a good picture of what the LHD version of the pedal arm is supposed to look like out of the car from an ebay seller in Germany. Having a local welder modify the pedal arm as we speak. It’s cast iron so it has to be cut and then welded into the right position.
Also already have 2 of the correct LHD clutch master cylinders that I got on ebay years ago in preparation for this momentous event so I’m good there.
The final issue I think I’m going to have is the length of the front driveshaft. According to the parts manual, the rear driveshaft is the same as the auto box car but the front has a different part number. More specifically it looks like the difference is in the rear half of the front driveshaft since every other part number is common to the 4 versions. I haven’t pulled the BW12 out yet but it’s gotta be a length difference.
So a couple things:
Does anyone on the list in the US have a front driveshaft from SWB Series 1 with a manual transmission (RHD or LHD) they wanna get rid of cheap? If so contact me off list.
Probably not gonna find one but it’s not a huge big deal because I can have a local driveline specialist shorten?/lengthen? my original when the time comes. I can guestimate the length difference when the BW12 comes out by putting it next to the 4 speed and figuring the difference, but if anyone on the list has a driveshaft like this out of the car that they can measure and/or send me some pics of that would be great too… just for confirmation purposes.
Mike, I am building a 1970 Euro spec XJ6. I have manual overdrive, I also have the correct driveshaft, not for sale. No problem measuring and photographing. Don’t know how to contact off list. Bruce in Vermont
AFAIK all Jag pedal cranks are forged and can be safely bent cold although it’s easier to do hot.
Of course sometimes there are plastic pedal assemblies like the much lighter accelerators on modern pedal boxes and I seen sheet steel fabrications but cast iron sounds wrong.
As for gearbox lengths I’ll be surprised if they differ from face of bell housing to output flange but will be interested to read any figures.
Guess I have a Hens Tooth my 69 xj6 left hand drive manual w/ overdrive was originally dispatched to Portugal.At some point it was imported into the US.99.9% rust free & 99% unmolested SU carbs & still had all the original Cheney hose clamps,tool roll & owners manual…All matching numbers with heritage certificate.if you need any info let me know
Hi Bruce - I would love to see a pic of the driveshaft. The only reason I think there might be a difference is because of that part number difference I mentioned in my original post. There should be a way to send an image directly to me or drag and drop the pic in your reply.
Yup, when I took the pedal arm to be modified after he cleaned it up the welder said it was bendable and did it with heat as you said.
I’ve been kind of jacked-up with other stuff that’s been distracting me from the Jags since before the holidays but hopefully I’ll be able to pull it apart in the next week or 2 so I can get my hands on the driveshaft without a pesky car in the way. I really need a lift.
Mike, Sorry for the delay, I have pictures on my phone but can’t get computer to recognize phone. I’ll get my 2 year old grandson to show me how.
In the meantime, overall length with slip yoke collapsed, outside flange to outside flange, 53”.
Measuring front driveshaft where male slip yoke section is welded to drive shaft to center of u-joint yoke is 20 1/8”, and 21 ½” to outside of round coupling yoke.
Give me a call with any questions. I’ve already done the pedal boxes, from a right hand drive. I’m also doing some up-grades along the way.
I am far from skilled at this phot transmission stuff. My grown kids handle it well.
They take pictures with their smart phones and email them to me.
So, Email them from your phone to yourself ?
My “not qute so smart” old flip phone has a camera.
At times, it works, at times, not. But, how to download from it? I’ve not the foggiest.
On the drive shaft issue.
At your stage, I’d strongly consider a one piece shaft. Eliminate the at times troublesome middle joint. Take a measure from tail to diff snout. Locate a drive line shop. Take your shaft and those numbers to them. They will tell you how to do it.
And make the line, nicely balanced for lots of carefree miles.
