Sherpa gearbox - which one for 1980?

Sherpa gearbox - which one for 1980?

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Hello, BL geeks and spods! My Google Fu is weak today. I am trying to find out whether, when BL stopped using the B Series petrol engine in the Sherpa, and fitted instead the O Series Two litre OHC unit, they also changed the gearbox, or whether they continued with the unit as used in the MGB (which not for nothing is known as the Sherpa Coupe, although the van arguably handles better than the soi disant GT).

I am shortly to collect a 1980 Sherpa campervan that has a two litre O Series, and a non overdrive gearbox. I am pondering changing the box for one with a Laycock overdrive, for an extra 8 mph or so on the motorway (allegedly), and maybe 0.000000000001 more MPG. MGB gearboxes with overdrives are plentiful, and there are at least two companies of blokes with Midlands accents working in sheds who can provide Laycock overdrives on an exchange basis and so on. I just want to be sure that I get the right unit.

Thanks for all nerdy knowledge. To MGB lovers: sorry (but not really).

fatjon

2,144 posts

212 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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The B series mated direct to the 4 speed box, the O series used a plate as some holes were very slightly relocated and the block rear was shortened by a few MM when the B became an O. Later the O became the M and T series block with virtually no changes other than the ugly and fandangled external sub assembly to mount the PAS, aircon and water pump. They are pretty much the same block, just the tappet chest was removed form the casting mould.

The backplates are rare as rocking horse poo and very much sought after by people wanting to put T and M series engines in MGBs with an LT77 5 speed box. Even rarer is the T series reversed inlet manifold used on the discovery with the 2 litre 16V T series in it as the throttle body ends up at the front when used in a RWD conversion which is handy!


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Fatjon, many thanks! The BL Force is strong with you!

Balmoral

40,660 posts

247 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Breadvan72 said:
I am shortly to collect a 1980 Sherpa campervan
clap

I saw one of these not so long ago whilst browsing Classic cars for sale and I quite fancied it, I wonder if the same one?

It makes a change from the ubiquitous VW bus camper, well done you smile

There should be a few tuning and gearbox options? The 2.0 HLS Morris Ital (automatic only) and Rover SD1 2000 (5spd manual) used the O series in-line/RWD, twin carb manifolds might be available, even Lucas injection or a Turbo (Meastro/Montego).

Edited to add, just realised that the LDV Convoy had a 2 litre injected O series and a 5spd gearbox, should be easy enough to upgrade? But I guess you're keeping it original, with the 4spd overdrive option (Austin Cambridge Sports/Morris Oxford Coupe gearbox).

Edited by Balmoral on Thursday 27th April 10:01

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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The van is discussed a bit in the Impromptu BL Lineup thread, and may in due course be awarded its own threads either here or in Readers' Slags.

VW vans are slow, very cramped inside, and cost megabling. Too many knobheads have them. Not everyone who has one is a knobhead, of course. This BL van is a bit more peppy than a VW van (all things are relative), is spacious inside, and it cost only £2000, with an Mot until June.

I will consider and probably then dismiss engine upgrades, but only if I keep the van for a while. My daughter is twelve and a half, so the van is for going to Latitude and other festivals for the next few years, with maybe some west Scotland island-hopping, the vanning combined with stays in posh hotels.

If Scotland closes the border, I shall not care, because I have an Irish and therefore an EU passport (Ha! Tough luck English dudes - enjoy life in the fifties!). My wife will qualify for a Scottish passport, so, all good.




Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 27th March 17:39

Huntsman

8,028 posts

249 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Balmoral said:
It makes a change from the ubiquitous VW bus camper, well done you smile
Buggeration. I've messed up. There I was looking for another Shadow, or even a Corniche to compliment mine, when I accidentally (!) bought a VW Beetle Bus. Woe is me.

Top BL nerding here.


Balmoral

40,660 posts

247 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Breadvan72 said:
The van is discussed a bit in the Impromptu BL Lineup thread,
How'd I miss that? and I have a Vango Force Ten tent too!

Yes please to a new thread.

On the subject of Classic campers, VW's and stuff, I would love an H van, but they too cost an absolute fortune, I'm currently searching very hard for an LDV Convoy minibus, for my own camper project, but the right van doesn't seem to be available just now. Looking for a 2005/2006 55 plate 90bhp (remap to 125) with ultra low miles/ownership and it must be clean/mint.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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In other news, the MGB is apparently about to come back, as a goppingly ugly electric car. Hey, it couldn't be worse than the old MGBs.

Balmoral

40,660 posts

247 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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I remember selling, new, one of the last, an LE in silver grey with the silver decals and flags on it. Delivered it from Nottingham to Cambridge and bought back the PX car, a Renault 16TX, I had a really enjoyable drive back as it was far more of a sports car than the one I delivered, even the column 5spd was super slick.

Edited by Balmoral on Thursday 27th April 16:19

838HNK

605 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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V8 110 Land Rover Camper ... double bed ... sink .... cooker ... will out drag a VW camper and go neck and neck with a Sherpa up to 60.

I seem to recall the police Sherpa Riot Vans had a V8 and five speed box ???

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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I almost bought a mega late MGB in silver a few weeks ago! I was drunk at the time. I sobered up.

daveinhampshire

527 posts

125 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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838HNK said:


V8 110 Land Rover Camper ... double bed ... sink .... cooker ... will out drag a VW camper and go neck and neck with a Sherpa up to 60.

I seem to recall the police Sherpa Riot Vans had a V8 and five speed box ???
They did but weren't that quick, made a lovely noise though.

Balmoral

40,660 posts

247 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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I seem to recall a twin plenum (Vitesse spec) factory option?

V8 Fettler

7,019 posts

131 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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daveinhampshire said:
They did but weren't that quick, made a lovely noise though.
Defender engine. Would an LS conversion fit? Wheelspins everywhere.

838HNK

605 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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16 litre Cummins looks like a good option - keeping on thread I've no idea what gearbox is used ...

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Plan A!

gforceg

3,524 posts

178 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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838HNK][url][img said:
I seem to recall the police Sherpa Riot Vans had a V8 and five speed box ???
Yeeeeears ago I was whizzing home late at night in a Renault 5 Gordini and got reeled in and pulled over by a van load of Wiltshire Constabulary's finest.

While we were have a pleasant road side chat I noticed the burble of the engine and asked if it was a V8. Yes indeedy young Sir, it is.

I'm still convinced they only chased me down and stopped me to prove they could. Sure I hadn't done much wrong that time.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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Sherpa collection day is today. Let's see if the extant gearbox even works before I plan to get a better one!

The first plan for the van is to use it as a van. I have stupidly bought an old Honda 125 cc puttering-about bike, and that is at a location on the way back home with the van. The bike should fit in between the cupboards in the back of the van. I shall explain to Mrs BV, who has seen and sat in the van and vaguely approves of it, that the bike came free as a sort of yacht tender or lifeboat.

This may of course lead to me spending tonight sleeping in the van, outside my house. We shall see.

My daughter will see the van when I collect her from her school on Saturday afternoon. I hope that she will think it is uber cool, but she may think that it is super-lame. Her feelings about me vary between the same points.

I may edge into cool when she sees the Ahsoka Tano light sabre that I've just bought her (Ahsoka Tano is, as any fule kno, Anakin Skywalker's padawan learner, who left the Jedi Order before Skywalker became Darth Vader. She is a heroine of the early Rebellion, and my daughter's favourite character, apart from Cerasi Nem, the Level 70 Jedi Knight whom she plays in MMORPG Star Wars - Old Republic). Next year, my daughter will be 13 and only interested in Gabba all nighters and scoring Mandy, but I cherish the childhood geekery while I may.

Hugo a Gogo

23,378 posts

232 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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1980, what is it badged as? Leyland, Morris, or Freight Rover already?

I only have bad memories of driving them in various incarnations


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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There is an Austin Morris badge on the grille.