253 manual to auto conversion in hz sandman

[mudherny]

Seeking advice on converting a hz sandman from manual to auto with a 253 motor in it?

Car has bucket seats so I wont need to adjust that.

any idea on a rough cost too?

Cheers

[wbute]

Should be simple enough. Buy a transmission and bolt it in. Price depends on if you can do the work yourself.

[HK1837]

Best bet is to buy a whole rusty 253 auto HZ.

Gearbox crossmember, tailshaft, speedo cable etc are the same. Hole in the floor the T-bar goes to is the same. Just needs the tranny and flexplate, T-bar, T-bar harness, console insert, vacuum line and brass T for the manifold for it, auto cooler or auto radiator and lines. Plus make a little mod to the dizzy vacuum advance hosing to get full vacuum advance at idle.
To the letter of rego laws you also need to put on an EGR valve too.

If it is a 3.55 diff which many HZ 253 manual were you'll probably want to look for a 3.08:1 diff as well.

[Valencia]

And change pedals

[HK1837]

I forgot that, but don't change pedals, just remove the clutch pedal. Makes it easier to get your feet in and out.

[mudherny]

thanks heaps!

[Big Rob]

And then sell me the 4 speed so I've got another spare for my Toranas!

[buck]

why the change? is it an original sandman, if it is i would leave it.
I would see this as decreasing its value if i was looking at it.

[HK1837]

Makes it better and easier to drive and easily changed back. Unless it was a concours original car it wouldn't make any difference to me. 4spd bits are easy to get hold of.

[Cocko750]

Keep all the gear to put it back as original if you ever want to sell it then new owner can do it not hard to change it back later everything is easily done as long as you not cutting it up