The tunnel required removing the top cover and cutting out the opening about
2-3 inches further towards the rear of the car (to accommodate the shifter
extension). British Automotive <http://www.mgbmga.com> sells a plastic
replacement top cover for this application, or you could cut-and-splice two
of the metal ones together to get the extra length, if you're a welder..
The plastic cover does not have the shifter hole pre-cut, so you can choose
to use either the early oval or later round style shifter boot. I already
had the oval one so I went with that.
I don't know anything about the shifter knob OD switch, but I see no reason
why it couldn't be rigged up at this time, so long as you have all the
parts. I used the dash switch since I already had a hole for it, and it was
dead simple. The knob switch wasn't used in 68 so you will have to source it
separately. I am sure you won't want to rig the column stalk switch from the
68.
You probably know about using the later flywheel, engine rear plate, and
starter. The starter alone would be a worthwhile swap, although you do lose
the inner-wing-mounted solenoid with handy starter button.
Also, the tranny rear mounting is different. I actually got the whole cross
member with my tranny (of course, the rubber bits were toast). What I did
not get was any part of the engine restraint rod setup, but then my car was
missing the stayrod assembly anyway. If you have access to the donor car you
might try to figure out what you can use.
Check the Moss catalog listing of driveshaft lengths. My 66 non/OD and the
77 OD wound up using the same length driveshaft, but that isn't necessarily
the case. You might also check the speedometer & gear chart at
<http://www.mgbexperience.com/reference/speedometers.html> to make sure you
have a workable combo.
Neither carpet set's tunnel cover will really fit this new arrangement (even
if you didn't destroy your old carpet removing it, it won't stretch around
the new "hump", and the hole will be in the wrong place). I used loose
carpet and custom-tailored it with lots of padding to fill the many odd
nooks and crannies. I used the large diameter round snaps (like in the floor
mats) to hold it on -- I wouldn't recommend gluing it because of the top
cover access. I gave up trying to get the top rear contour perfect and
instead used two snaps to hold it down snug.
One good thing about this swap -- the shifter location is much better for
long-legged drivers -- it is nearly in the same plane as the steering wheel,
and so "falls readily to hand", as they say. Before, it seemed as if I had
to lean forward in my seat to engage third.
Hope this helps.
on 7/11/01 3:48 PM, Mike Winney at mgb@cableone.net wrote:
> From: WCAMEYER
> To: The MG List
> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 11:42 AM
> Subject: '67B, '68 O/D
>
>
> Am contemplating installing a late ('68) overdrive tranny in my '67 roadster.
> I know somebody out there has done that and would appreciate any and all info
> on parts needed, transmission tunnel alteration, etc.
> I am also contemplating installing the shift knob 0- mounted switch.
>
> I sent a similar request a week ago and it never hit the list, so I'm trying
> again.
>
> Bill Meyer
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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