workshop manual

[GREG]

You could try this Haynes

HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL DODGE PLYMOUTH CHRYSLER 1971-1989 AUTOMOTIE REPAIR 30050 | eBay

Why a 603 motor ? will you be able to keep the push button gear change ?
One of my favourite features !

[GREG]

Or this does as well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Haynes-Chr...item483d2deb48

[GREG]

Is the 408's 488 cast iron gearbox the same length as the 727 ? if not, could be a pain in the arse ! new prop etc

I don't see the advantage over a rebuild unless you got it for a bargain price -- I guess you can rebuild the original at leisure.

Sorry for being so nosey :-)

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by GREG

I don't see the advantage over a rebuild unless you got it for a bargain price

I do. It's much easier to get get spares for the LA series than it is for the old A series. Also the LA engine is eminently tunable compared to the old A series and there is a plethora of after market performance parts available for the LA.

[GREG]

Originally Posted by Kevin H

I do. It's much easier to get get spares for the LA series than it is for the old A series. Also the LA engine is eminently tunable compared to the old A series and there is a plethora of after market performance parts available for the LA.

Then you don't understand the charm of the 407 / 408. It certainly doesn't need tuning ! In fact Alan Blackwood owned my 408 back in the 60's and moved it on from fear of the speed and the law !! Alan is a fast driver and has been involved in motor sport / rally driving for a large part of his life.

The engine and gear box kits are readily available and I don't think people would be so keen on the idea if it was a Bentley or an Aston ! There are a lot less 408's runing than either of those marques.

We can all do what we want to our own cars. I guess it depends on the motivation and the circumstances and if there is anyway back for the next owner.

If you want a tuned 406 , get a 407 , If you want a tuned 408 , get a 411 S1

I guess there is a very blurred fine line between sensible upgrades and .........

I love the buttons :-)

[David Olivant]

As I stated the block is porous at No7 cylinder.
To resolve that is not such a simple, or cheap task! Added to this is that my cast Iron box is leaking and will also need to be rebuilt.
As newer 318 engines are not compatible with the older cast iron box, things just compound themselves. I have a Chilterns' manual for the engine/ box, but there are nuances when installed in a Bristol, this is why I asked for a copy or loan of a Bristol manual.
I don't intend disposing of the origonal engine box, but will investigate rebuilding them.
I agree that the push button change is great, I will look at retaining, but have my doubts initially.
David

[GREG]

I think I remember seeing something on the Imperial owners website about making newer boxes work with the push buttons and fairly sure ACCS have some experience.

I will let you know if I find the relevent info

My comments are certainly not meant as a critisism. Hope it all goes well.

[geo]

Originally Posted by GREG

will you be able to keep the push button gear change ?
One of my favourite features !

Like Greg, I also thought that this was one of the most endearing features of the old iron-box. Perhaps it would be possible to use the extra lever that was added below the push-buttons on the 409 to activate the transmission brake?

George