Sherpa gearbox - which one for 1980?
Discussion
SherpaSam said:
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You can fit the V8 but have to cut up the bulkhead as the later vans had a wider indentation, and as well as eating fuel, it's pretty useless unless you're going to fit Fat tyres: the only one I've heard of in use still wheel spins if you accelerate when already doing 50.
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The V8 Sherpa and the V6 Transit could be spectacularly unstable. I want one of each please.-
You can fit the V8 but have to cut up the bulkhead as the later vans had a wider indentation, and as well as eating fuel, it's pretty useless unless you're going to fit Fat tyres: the only one I've heard of in use still wheel spins if you accelerate when already doing 50.
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V8 Fettler said:
SherpaSam said:
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You can fit the V8 but have to cut up the bulkhead as the later vans had a wider indentation, and as well as eating fuel, it's pretty useless unless you're going to fit Fat tyres: the only one I've heard of in use still wheel spins if you accelerate when already doing 50.
-
-
The V8 Sherpa and the V6 Transit could be spectacularly unstable. I want one of each please.-
You can fit the V8 but have to cut up the bulkhead as the later vans had a wider indentation, and as well as eating fuel, it's pretty useless unless you're going to fit Fat tyres: the only one I've heard of in use still wheel spins if you accelerate when already doing 50.
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I saw more than one V8 Sherpa on its side. Grip and handling were not the vehicle's forte. Neither was stopping. They were also very light at the rear if not fully loaded with hairy cops.
Dubious build quality, lots of noise, buckets of torque, ridiculously low MPG. Great fun.
Breadvan72 said:
I got thrown out! No kidding, that utter 
cavcraft had me banned because I pointed out his inepititude in almost allowing the forum to be killed off by "Dave". Anyway, bygones!
I too got thrown out a few years back for a risqué comment about Rolf Harris. A few weeks later he was jailed... (RH, not the moderator with the sense of humour failure!) cavcraft had me banned because I pointed out his inepititude in almost allowing the forum to be killed off by "Dave". Anyway, bygones!I know it's an old thread; I thought I had already replied, but don't seem to have.
You have hit the jackpot there: the looks of the old Sherpa, but with the 2.0 O-series; a lovely van.
The O series came in two models, changing to the O2 after Nov 86 I think. The O2 had full electronic ignition and the beginnings of a brain, and fitted the later 5 speed box. It was the other way round, Exhaust on the driver side.
Yours will be the early O-Series which fits the 4 speed or 4 speed + overdrive which is the same length and a direct swap, and really does make a difference to driving as not only does in improve speed and or economy and noise at the top end, but it also fills the rather large gap between the 3rd and 4th which makes hill climbing easier, and again saves fuel.
The original O-series has hardened seats, and will deal with unleaded if kept in good tune and condition, but tends to burn valves if run too lean or allowed to coke up. The 2.0 version was designed to deal with the gas conversion offered from new, but it wasn't till the O2 that they became fully unleaded compatible. If you have trouble with fuel consumption or lack of power it may well be the valves, in which case a rebuild, boring the guides out to take the later Sodium cooled valves will sort it long term.
The 2.0 should have ample power, and be a nice drive with an overdrive box (and good kingpins). You will find that any conversion to the later engines gets a bit complicated as you'll need a unique exhaust to crossover and avoid the water tank, plus backplates don't match the 4speed and the 5 speed needs a different propshaft and centre bearing and "chassis" crossmember to mount it on. You may also need to change the engine mount crossmember and supports and the bulk head can be a bit tight on the manifold. Stick to getting yours running well, and on an overdrive box. then do a gas conversion if you don't find it economical enough: that's the route I'm going.
You have hit the jackpot there: the looks of the old Sherpa, but with the 2.0 O-series; a lovely van.
The O series came in two models, changing to the O2 after Nov 86 I think. The O2 had full electronic ignition and the beginnings of a brain, and fitted the later 5 speed box. It was the other way round, Exhaust on the driver side.
Yours will be the early O-Series which fits the 4 speed or 4 speed + overdrive which is the same length and a direct swap, and really does make a difference to driving as not only does in improve speed and or economy and noise at the top end, but it also fills the rather large gap between the 3rd and 4th which makes hill climbing easier, and again saves fuel.
The original O-series has hardened seats, and will deal with unleaded if kept in good tune and condition, but tends to burn valves if run too lean or allowed to coke up. The 2.0 version was designed to deal with the gas conversion offered from new, but it wasn't till the O2 that they became fully unleaded compatible. If you have trouble with fuel consumption or lack of power it may well be the valves, in which case a rebuild, boring the guides out to take the later Sodium cooled valves will sort it long term.
The 2.0 should have ample power, and be a nice drive with an overdrive box (and good kingpins). You will find that any conversion to the later engines gets a bit complicated as you'll need a unique exhaust to crossover and avoid the water tank, plus backplates don't match the 4speed and the 5 speed needs a different propshaft and centre bearing and "chassis" crossmember to mount it on. You may also need to change the engine mount crossmember and supports and the bulk head can be a bit tight on the manifold. Stick to getting yours running well, and on an overdrive box. then do a gas conversion if you don't find it economical enough: that's the route I'm going.
Sorry to revive an old thread.
Will a B series engine couple up to a 5 speed o series box? Will it need an adapter plate? Maybe the holes can be drilled and tapped?
I have found a B series engine and box from an MGB, but also found an O series sherpa box. Would like to fit the sherpa box as I know it'll fit proper
Thanks in advance
Will a B series engine couple up to a 5 speed o series box? Will it need an adapter plate? Maybe the holes can be drilled and tapped?
I have found a B series engine and box from an MGB, but also found an O series sherpa box. Would like to fit the sherpa box as I know it'll fit proper
Thanks in advance
Red 4 said:
V8 Fettler said:
SherpaSam said:
-
-
You can fit the V8 but have to cut up the bulkhead as the later vans had a wider indentation, and as well as eating fuel, it's pretty useless unless you're going to fit Fat tyres: the only one I've heard of in use still wheel spins if you accelerate when already doing 50.
-
-
The V8 Sherpa and the V6 Transit could be spectacularly unstable. I want one of each please.-
You can fit the V8 but have to cut up the bulkhead as the later vans had a wider indentation, and as well as eating fuel, it's pretty useless unless you're going to fit Fat tyres: the only one I've heard of in use still wheel spins if you accelerate when already doing 50.
-
-
I saw more than one V8 Sherpa on its side. Grip and handling were not the vehicle's forte. Neither was stopping. They were also very light at the rear if not fully loaded with hairy cops.
Dubious build quality, lots of noise, buckets of torque, ridiculously low MPG. Great fun.
A guy down my rally club bought one of the ex-ARG V8 service vans that supported ARG's Metro 6R4 WRC, and that had a 5-speed from memory, and flew, even loaded up with shed loads of rally kit
He never ever got it into double figure mpg, no matter how carefully it was driven
Another guy in the club still owned one of the ex-Boreham V6 Tranny service vans as well, and it wasn't unknown for the occasional 'Service Barge' err..... challenge to take place
Checked van out after its long winter snooze - started up OK. Not very damp inside. Rear lights have stopped working - probably dodgy wires eaten by mice or whatevs. Hippy punk gothabilly brother v happy that van loves on and, as he sold his van and wants to borrow mine for going to see dreadful bands and pulling purple haired women and what not.
Breadvan72 said:
Checked van out after its long winter snooze - started up OK. Not very damp inside. Rear lights have stopped working - probably dodgy wires eaten by mice or whatevs. Hippy punk gothabilly brother v happy that van loves on and, as he sold his van and wants to borrow mine for going to see dreadful bands and pulling purple haired women and what not.
A Sherpa Campy not too unlike yours has been knocking around Lewisham for years.Yesterday I briefly brought the eastbound M40 to a halt when the Sherpa conked out suddenly and in a cloud of steam next to some roadworks (coned off shoulder) just past Wycombe, and ended up dangerously stranded on chevrons between an entry slip road and the main carriageway. Two very efficient Traffic Officers arrived quickly, stopped the traffic, towed the van to the shoulder, and re started the traffic. A low loader arrived soon after and carted the van to Beaconsfield Services, and then an ace AA bloke who owns two SD1s turned up and solved the problem. A heater hose had burst, showering the engine with coolant and zapping the coil - hence the sudden loss of power. The dude bypassed the heater, dried the coil, and refilled and bled the cooling system. Head gasket OK, and I made it home only a few hours late.
Apols to anyone who was stuck in the brief traffic stop!
Apols to anyone who was stuck in the brief traffic stop!
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