V8 Torqueflite auto-box repairs and servicing
The following contact details and addresses are for companies who undertake supplying spares and who conduct strip and rebuilding of automatic gearboxes (ie Torqueflte) and Salisbury axles.
- American Auto Spares Ltd., Kingsbury Road, Minworth, B76 9DD.
Telephone:- 0121 351 7655. Contact: Phil - VMTP Midlands Ltd., Unit 10, Conduit Road, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire WS11 9TJ.
Telephone:- 01543 270555. Contact: Nigel Bishop - Penn Autos Ltd., 3 Spring Lane, Wolverhampton, WV4 4SH.
Telephone:- 01902 344004. Contact: Andy Frost.
American Auto Spares Ltd. no longer conduct strip and rebuilds but can provide most engine, gearbox, starter motors, alternators, etc. which is now the focus of their business.
The others are renovation companies who have conducted strip-down and rebuilding of Bristol V8 gearboxes and axles in the past and felt confident in ensuring a good outcome.
They always prefer to have the vehicle and are quite prepared to remove the gearbox which is taken out from the inside of the car and replaced. Both stated that the final adjustment to the auto-box is best achieved by a series of road trials.
The axle can also be stripped whilst still assembled to the vehicle saving the cost of removing it and the shipment cost of transporting such a large and heavy item.
Laycock-de Normanville Overdrive
As fitted to 405′s, 406′s and possibly some late 403′s
The overdrive interrupter switch on the gearbox was originally listed as 31077E but was superceded by Lucas to 30451. The significant difference in various differently numbered variations of this switch was apparently the electrical terminals. Some had post terminals, some had wide spade terminals, some had standard spades and some had the terminals bent over to the side. The 30451 has standard spade terminals that stick straight up.
NOTE: 31077E is also the reverse lamp switch on a 406 and presumably 30451 is therefore a straight substitute. This is often listed on EBay and is a “relatively” common switch.
2 litre wheel and axle bearings
There is no “where used or used on” section in the attached catalogue, but a lengthy search through the catalogue is under way to find out what other vehicles the bearings where used on. This will take some time to finalise. In the meantime if you want a specific information on bearing please contact on of our technical coordinators.
Just one supplier (so far) has been found for bearings, Simply Bearings. However, 401 front & rear bearings are sometimes listed for sale on EBay.
The Bristol Owners & Drivers Association is a Member of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. Bristol Owners & Drivers Association Ltd is a company limited by Guarantee of £1 per member.
Registered Office: Unit27B, Mitton Road Business Park, Mitton Road, Whalley, Clitheroe, BB7 9YE
Company Registration No. 07270546. Data Protection Registration Z2297300
