Rover/Freight Rover V8 Gearboxes

[Marty V6]

Hi all

I am currently trying to source a manual 5-speed for my RV8, which currently has a 3-speed auto lump stuck on the back of it.

I was wondering whether a V8 Freight Rover or Sherpa manual box would be a usable alternative. I have read somewhere that they are heavy duty D code boxes and have different heavy duty bearings on the layshaft. I dont know if this is correct however. Do they run a lower gearing, or is that taken care of purely in the axle ratio's?

My main worry about using one of these boxes is that if its come out of a commercial vehicle, it wont have had an easy life, and will have probably have "to the moon and return" mileage on it.

Anbody got any advice or experience of these as opposed to the standard SD1 gearbox?

Cheers

Marty

[stevee8]

This might be of some help.....http://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8_conversions/rogv8.html.
Scroll down to the gearbox section (about 80% down the page)

[wilf]

Marty - so far as I know the Sherpa box is quite usable, in fact I had one in my old car.

Main difference between it and a car 'box is a lower first gear, and a different spline count on the input shaft (thus you have to get the right clutch driven plate). Couldn't rightly say about internals or torque capacity.

I also think, but you would need to check this out, that this version of the 'box automatically came with the "shortened" remote, putting the gear lever pretty much where you want in in a CObra.

As I said, this was a few years ago, and the exact details may have escaped my failing memory, but I definitely did have just such a 'box in my old Sumo. And it worked just fine. After I had 2nd and 3rd synchro fixed, that is.

[chesterak]

I asked similar questions a while ago regarding fitting an SD1 LT77 box to a 5.0L RV8 Wildcat engine. General opinion was that, providing the correct oil is used - as opposed to ATF - the the weight of the car, spin-up rate etc is such that this box is ok. I'm not on the road yet so I cannot say for sure, but I've gone with the best opinions. :thumb:

[MARTIN123]

Yes Rover Sherpa Is Good And It Has The Larger Stronger Bearings, Its The Same Build Box As The Vittess Box , I Have Just Rebuilt My Lt77, I Have Built Lots Of Gearboxes From These Lt77 Up To Volvo Fh 16 Truck Boxes And They Are Ok If You Take Your Time, But The Lt77 Is Only Realy Good For About 250 Bhp, I Run Tqf In My Lt77,you Can Run Synthetic Oil, But It Foams Up Slightly More And Creats A Number Of Air Pockets, Where As The Tqf Will Not Do This As Much, Plus It Has A Lower Viscocity When Starting The Engine, Which Helps The Oil Pump Run With Less Resistance, But This Is Only My Opion, Hope This Helps

[kurrmet]

Marty

I have a sherpa V8 gearbox which is rebuilt and never used if you are interested please let me know and we can come to an arrangement.:thumb:

send me a pm

All the best in your project.