Hi guys,
I'm going to put an overdrive tranny in my '61 544, and I'm wondering if I should use the D type or J type. I have one of each. My ultimate goal is to bring my rpms down as much as possible when cruising at 120KM/H. The d type tranny came from a '67 123 GT and the J type is hanging on the back of a 1975 B-20 on my garage floor. My diff is a 410. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Rob

http://photos.yahoo.com/robsvolvos

Much less glamourous but simular approach....Mine looks like a mailbox. The shape of the floor was not important and I wanted to move the shifter to the rear and a short stick is my preference.

http://www.georger.com/V2/DSC03213.JPG finished with a "J"
http://www.georger.com/V2/DSC01849.JPG start with a "D"
http://www.georger.com/V2/DSC01856.JPG the mailbox

Fact is that you can have the short stick if you plan well and change it whenever you want. To have the shorty, the height needs to be raised in the back and that's why I have this shape. I can make a hole up front and have the original long stick. I don't interfere with the seat movement, and i think it's cozy.

V2

I have a j-type in my 544. Now I can't say for sure but I seem to recall there's an availability issue for the D-type selenoid.

Jim

I've had better luck with J overdrives, but I would think either would be fine. Is your '75 unit a M41? Or could it be one of the rather rare M46 for a B20? In either case, the later transmission (assuming it's original '75) is going to be stronger. Even if it si a M41...

If it's an M46, you've got a rather sought after unit, as '75 is the only year that those were attached to a B20.. If it is one of them, your wobble stick shifter top might not fit, so you'd need more extensive tunnel modification.
--
-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC

The tranny is definitely an M41. If I decide on this tranny, I'll swap the top for the one on the other tranny so I can keep my long shifter.

Rob

OK... In that case, I'd say absolutely for sure go with the later box and J OD. Better gearbox, and better overdrive unit. Unless you think you might get rid of the car in the next 20 years or so, and want to keep the good gearbox for a project thereafter.

That unless there is noticable damage... and be sure to double check your driveshaft flanges.

--
-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC

I put a D type behind a B18 in a 444 (more than 25 years ago), and 6 years ago put a J type/B20 in my 122 and though I never had the two side by side, I believe that the D type is a tad narrower in critcal locations in the PV tunnel. for what it's worth. What are you doing for a tunnel enlargement?

I'm pretty much going to follow this model:

http://people.delphiforums.com/snotzalot/volvo/jimmonnastes.htm

It'll be a challenge, but I'm up for it. I have a feeling the results will be well worth it.
Based on your experience, did you have to leave much room around the overdrive to accomodate engine rock at startup/1st gear acceleration? I just don't want the OD to knock against the tunnel, but at the same time I need to leave enough room for my big legs and feet :)

Thanks!

Rob

I went to a junk yard with a sawzll and cut out the tunnel from a 140 sedan, leaving excess at the sides and the rear. I then "shaped" it around the existing 444 tunnel. This was accomplished by carefull beating with various hammers - hand sledge and large ball peen. It wasn't that much of a stretch - they're pretty similar in shape. The important thing was to locate the hole for the shifter in the same place as it was before. I used the original long shifter. The other consideration was to not have the "new" tunnel be any wider thatn necessary to accomodate the tranny. I reshaped the 140 tunnel to make a flat flange that I then screwed to the floor of the car on either side of the tunnel. No knocking. You could also try and get a tunnel from a junked 1800, and then use the remote (short) shifter.

I think you might have some clearance issues with the hand brake lever with a long shifter.

Righty right. Unless it's a 444 where the emergency brake is, you know, under the dash over the the driver's left knee.

When my PV needs a new body (not a pretty sight underneath due to the salted winter roads it saw the first 20-ish years of its life) I hope to find a 444. The flat windshield and dash just has a much more authentic vintage look to me.

Until then, I'll keep patching until something important falls off.

Rob,
Jim's nicely pre-shaped tunnel work was much more elegant than mine, and if you are capable of doing such, I'd say, go for it, although, mine has worked fine for me. The spacing around the unit is more important for reasons of access, when you need to get tool extensions in there to be able bolt the gearbox to the bellhousing, than to accomodate OD lateral movement, which is very little. I left about 1 1/2 inch on the side and 1 inch at the top. Anyway, take a look at the write-up about my project , plus Phil Singher's comments, on www.vclassics.com. Although I wrote it for the totally inexperienced, as I was then, you might find something of use to you in it.
Bob S.

The D will drop the rpm slightly more than the J -- .75 final reduction vs. .80.