Sherpa Gearbox advice

[George1990]

Hello there,

I have just bought a 1980 sherpa camper van with no lump or box. I have been doing lots of research of what engine will fit (on the hunt for a B or O series lump) but i am unsure what gearbox will fit straight in.

The main thing here is that I don't to mess around making something fit. I want an engine and box combo that'll just go in. For instance I know the motors that'll physically fit in but would like a gearbox that meets the mounts and also marries up to the engine nicely without having the get an archaeologist in to unearth an adapter plate etc etc 

Any help gratefully received 

Cheers guys

[holbeck]

AIUI by 1980, the Sherpa would have been fitted with the 1.7 o series, but still with the old 4 speed box. 

[DodgeRover]

Would the engine and box from an LDV pilot go in?

[Stanky]

V8 M8.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/29726-hmc-motors-ldvgtv8-commuter-wagon/page-9?do=findComment&comment=1384855

[spartacus]

That's a fine Autoshite liveried beast, I can't offer much engine advice I'm afraid but I'm an LDV camper botherer myself, any chance of some interior shots.

Welcome aboard and all that shizzle.

[Mally]

Its plugged in.

Maybe it's Electric?

[holbeck]

If Diesel, there is this:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leyland-Morris-Sherpa-1974-1986-1-8-B-Series-Diesel-Overdrive-Gearbox-22-115929/331996593341?fits=Model%3ASherpa&hash=item4d4c89fcbd:g:JeEAAOSwNRdX~KMt

 

That actually looks like a 4sp + o/d box

[500tops]

This one?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Highwayman-motorhome-body-on-Leyland-Sherpa/253390326989?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

[DodgeRover]

If it's simplicity you are after just put it back to standard, of it's petrol fit an LPG conversion with a tank you can also draw vapour from to run the cooker and fridge.

[holbeck]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FREIGHT-ROVER-SHERPA-255-REG-1982-4-SPEED-GEARBOX/152896215715?hash=item2399531aa3:g:oxsAAOxy4dNS-0HS

 

This is for a gearbox to suit an O series engine

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I think a dead LDV Pilot is the answer here

[dozeydustman]

The original 4 speeder was Austin 3-litre sourced IIRC, what the chances are of getting your hands on one now is beyond me. Whether you need a different bell housing for it to fit the O-series? Pass.

 

Assuming the engine mounting points were never changed over the many years, I'd pick the XUD19 & box for a pilot if you want period sluggishness but a modern(ish) engine. A crappy old banana engine & MT75 from a convoy would also fit.

 

Whichever you choose, you may need to make a new hole so the gearstick can go into the cabin.

[George1990]

Cool thanks for the help guys. 

 

 

This one?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Highwayman-motorhome-body-on-Leyland-Sherpa/253390326989?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

That's the one. There's some interior shots in the listing. I've literally just had it delivered in the dark so got no other pics.

 

Re the V8 - put the 3.5 rover lump into my series 2 land rover and never again will inflict so much woe unto myself.

 

The most likely looking option is this. It was originally petrol so I will try and keep it petrol tot minimise work.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mgb-1800-engine-and-gearbox-with-overdrive/382370847458?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

But I don't know how the gearbox would fit. Opinions on this? Can't find much else. I don't really fancy rolling around underneath some old heap getting an unknown lump out.

 

Re the Pilot engine. Will it actually go in? If it's the 2.5 lump i'm pretty sure it won't go in without butchery.

[Cavcraft]

I think the Pilots were 1.9, wasn't it the Convoy that was 2.5? Anyhow, the 200s had either Perkins or PSA 1.9s lumps, could you not lob one of those in?

[Pillock]

I've literally just had it delivered in the dark 

 

You're going to fit in just fine.... welcome.

[Lankytim]

Id deffo go with an LDV pilot engine and box, should be a doddle. I know of one being broken up...and i've got a turbo XUD in my garage for sale to make intercontinental travel a pleasure.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I have got a 5-speed petrol Sherpa box with O-series compatible bellhousing in my dad's garage if its any use to you, quite a rare box mind so i would have to ask £120 or so for it. Also i don't think it has a gear lever, but it does have the right short remote extension so you could find an SD1 or TR7 gear lever and just weld/bend/mutilate a suitable extension onto that.

[cros]

∆∆ That is a hard to find box, Sherpa lever is often horribly worn and mounted on the back above the output flange and is plenty far enough back. Previous 4 speed usually has a better change, but extra gear very handy.

I rebuilt a b series for my Sherpa Autosleeper (earliest type) and LPG'd it. Two Range Rover gas tanks just fitted under the floor, separate small vapour tank for cooker. With hindsight I think a Transit 2.5 and box would have been much cheaper, better and easy to do. That's what I've stuck in my Morris van, did need a bit of sound proofing though.

 

PS Sherpa is a fine van, all the detractors are talking out of their bums.

[spartacus]

Just looked at those pics, it looks like a real time warp.

If you end up running it on gas then bear in mind you can't use the Chunnel.

[cros]

Another plus for LPG- you get to cross the channel for half the price.

[Talbot]

Another plus for LPG- you get to cross the channel for half the price.

At 1/20th the speed.

 

Although given that discussions are around a significantly-sub-100hp engine in a sherpa campervan, I doubt speed is top of the priorities.

 

And the Chunnel is boring. Very boring.

[George1990]

I have got a 5-speed petrol Sherpa box with O-series compatible bellhousing in my dad's garage if its any use to you, quite a rare box mind so i would have to ask £120 or so for it. Also i don't think it has a gear lever, but it does have the right short remote extension so you could find an SD1 or TR7 gear lever and just weld/bend/mutilate a suitable extension onto that.

 

Nice - thanks for the offer. Where are you in the world? If you're local ish that could be a goer.

 

Im thinking maybe this

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mgb-1800-engine-and-gearbox-with-overdrive/382370847458?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

 

and possibly your box. I'm pretty sure these will slot straight in her front hole without much tittilation

 

I've decided i wanna steer clear of diesels cos they're noisy bastards and don't want my crockery getting chipped out back

[Mr_Bo11ox]

The box is in my dads garage which is Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

[DodgeRover]

Why not just use the whole lot?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I think the gearlever will pop up out the floor about 18" behind the driver

[DodgeRover]

I think the gearlever will pop up out the floor about 18" behind the driver

That would be slightly awkward, I bet a remote gear change is/ was available, or it could be a perfect opportunity to convert to column shift

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

Welcome aboard.

Saw your postings in another place but you will much better off here!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

My dad just rang me actually to tell me a story about calling Tesco call centre about his broken microwave, and getting a load of bullshit off them about why it was not their problem. Anyway I asked him about this gearbox and he reckons its still got the lever with it.

[cros]

Halls Garage down the road from me run this BMC transporter which is fitted with an O series and LT77 box. The vehicle isn't an LD but the forerunner of the FG, can't remember it's designation. It had been a local (Spalding) vehicle and was restored recently and stretched so that a car can fit inside. The O series went in to replace the original 2.2 petrol and Steve Hall says it works well.

It is the last type of O series the Sherpa used with distributor cap sticking out the front of the cam pulley. Very posh, would push your motorhome along very bravely.

 

Edit. Looks like I got some details wrong there, the transporter was in fact an LD with a twin wheel conversion. Originally supplied by a garage in Wisbech, like the Father Bollox 5 speed gearbox.

At the end of the restoration stills there are a few shots of the engine showing the unusual carb layout on the 02 engine, and how it pushes the thing along. Lastly, I have a Sherpa Haynes Manual if you need one.

[Des]

Just thinking about it, the Sherpa must have the purest pedigree of any vehicle ever, you'll likely find Sherpa DNA in everything from MK1 tanks to Scammy Scarabs or black cabs. I reckon you'd struggle to not find a fitting drivetrain dredging a canal.

MGB donk could be a bit of a downgrade considering the Sherpa is supposed to be the sporting alternative, I wonder if there are any 6 cyl A110 / Austin 3 litre motors left would they squeeze in?