New Member - A4LD Thanks for the help

[6sabre]

I have been watching the forum and I am about to fit an A4LD to an old European/UK Essex V6. Thanks to all those who have posted here their experiences. Its been very helpful.
I'm based in the UK and fitting the A4LD to a Gilbern Estate.

 

[Mike65]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Post some pictures of your progress.

 

[6sabre]

Hi, as requested an update.
The bellhousing from the European Essex engine / C3 physically fits the Cologne A4LD ok. There are however some differences in oilways. The 'cologne' bellhousing oil pump has an extra channel and uses larger threads on the bolts. This can be overcome and fitted to the essex bellhousing with a small modification to create an extra 'pocket'. The problem is now the torque convertor (TC). If I fit the cologne oil pump, there is the issue of oil flow related to the 'lock up' function of the TC. The cologne TC has this, the essex TC does not.

I approached a specialist TC here in the UK and they say this issue cannot be overcome due to the physical difference of the TC.
The essex TC is a 3 stud, whereas the the cologne is a 4 stud mounting. I cannot use the cologne flexplate as it has a different bolt pattern for the crank, and is anyway a smaller diameter so the starter would not engage.

I can use the essex TC, but somehow need to stop the hydraulic 'lock up' function in the box, so oil does not flow out to the TC. This has me stumped, not sure how to go about that. Not connecting the electrical lock up is not an issue, but if a read the manual correctly, oil pressure prevents TC lockup, and its the loss of pressure which allows the lock up clutch to engage. By implication this means oil flow through the TC all the time for the lockup function. Can anyone confirm or not?

Essex bellhousing

Cologne bellhousing show different pocket

Essex C3 oil pump

Cologne/A4LD oil pump extra oil channel and missing 'opening' arrowed in C3 pump.

 

[6sabre]

Sadly I have had to concede defeat on this myself. I KNOW it can be done, as an auto specialist did it 20+ years ago for me on another car with the same engine.
I cant find a torque convertor specialist who will build me a TC with lock up, with the 3 bolt flexplate mounting I need. If I could I would fit the later oil pump to my essex bellhousing, modify the bellhousing to match and I am sure it would work.

As I cant get this done in the UK,e I need to modify the a4ld box to stop oil flow to/from the box for the 'TC lockup function'.

What I think I have established is (looking at service manuals for the box) is the 'lock up' oil flow to the TC, stops the TC clutch engaging. Stopping the oil flow to the 'lock up clutch', engages that function in the TC. The lock up solenoid closes the oil passage.

So to use with a TC that does not have this function, it is an internal modification to the lock up oil flow within the valve body that is required so that a 'non lock up' TC can be used. It may just be removing the convertor clutch valve spring, or an oilway 'capped within that channel etc.

As I cant get enough data to make an informed decision, I have decided to give it to the specialist who did it for me 20+ years ago, as he has not retired just yet

This at least will give me an A4ld 4 speed mated to the Essex V6 bellhousing off a C3, to fit to my engine as he has done this successfully before.
In hindsight it would have probably just been easier to fit a cologne 2.9 EFI engine with its box!! However as I have just rebuilt the Essex 3.0 I will persevere.

Thanks to those who helped.
Steve

PS for those who may be interested the green car had it done (Reliant Scimitar), and I am trying to do it to a blue car (Gilbern estate). Both GRP bodied cars made in the UK during the 60s-80s.