Tate & Lewis Conversion

[Mike Wattam <101714.1343@domain.elided>]

Yes, this conversion does work, I know of tow or three people who have
fitted it.  It gives an overdrive top gear, but it does need a new gear
lever 'gate' and wood surround - no big deal.  Best of all, the lower
engine speed is much nicer on the ear plus economy is definitley improved,
and it fits under the car without any tin-bashing.  The conversion uses a
second-hand ZF automatic 'box which is taken from a scrapped Jaguar saloon.
 This particular model is used because it has a mechanical speedo drive,
whereas very other ZF box has an electric speedo generator on it.  If you
are able to source a 'box yourself, perhaps Tate and Lewis would sell you
the conversion kit?

Also please note that Del Lines (previously Altantic Garage) has available
a conversion using your own standard Borg-warner gearbox, and the Laycock
type overdrive is fitted onto the back of that.  He has been doing this
conversion on and off for many years and very successfully,  being fitted
to most police Granada's and also to a few Stags, Triumph 2000/2500 etc. 
Obviously this conversion is much cheaper and possibly better, as it uses
your own gearbox (if your 'box is any good!) and there is no new
bellhousing, flywheel etc to fit on the engine.  He sells the kit DIY so
this has got to be real cheap, but good!   

Please note that it has been said by certain persons that fitting the
overdrive to the back of the Borg-Warner automatic 'box is unreliable, and
you will have to guess who says this.  As previously stated, these used to
be fitted to 'police' Granada's for many years and you could not expect to
have a more arduous application than that!  It is also still running very
successfully on Stags.

Del Lines can be contacted at;

01934 823463 (Weston Super Mare, UK)

I am hoping to do a full test of the Del Lines conversion this Summer,
would anybody who decides to fit the Del Lines kit please let me know how
they get on in due course.

Hope the above helps

Mike Wattam
Triumph Stag Register