Auto valver?

[mds141]

I'm sure most on here are aware of my back injury last November.

I've just re-insured and taxed the valver.

Thought about taking it out for a run today and found I'm struggling to modulate the clutch in traffic due to the nerve damage in my left leg.

So the Q is, can the valver be converted to an auto, possibly using a TD auto box?

Any thoughts and advice most welcome.

[Dollywobbler]

Anything is possible I guess, but it wouldn't be easy. The change points on a turbo diesel (Xantia perhaps?) 'box would be entirely wrong for a revvy petrol. You may be better off going for a hand-operated clutch perhaps? I've seen 2CVs and H vans so equipped.

[mds141]

I've been looking online and realised the Xantia was fitted with a 2.0 16 valve engine in the early VSX spec. I wonder if this box would be suitable, providing I could actually source one.

Don't really want to sell the valver if I can help it, but if I can't drive it, then not much point in keeping it.

[JayW]

I'm fairly certain the normal auto box fitted to the 1905 8v petrol would be perfectly up to the job. There's been speculation for years over this swap but AFAIK no one (i know of) has actually done it.

On a good day, most valvers only put out 150bhp (including mine) with torque around the 120/130 ftlb mark, so it's in no way beyond the box's capability. As long as you can sourc th ancilliaries at the sam tim you should be fine. The only real issue i can see is that awful looking selector stick/panel

[mds141]

Thanks for the input Jay.

[rutter123]

should you need them i have a torque converter from a 1.9D auto and a pedal box.

[Tim Leech]

Theres a 16v auto somewhere in eastern europe and a video of it on youtube, the thing is the valver thrives on revs and im not sure the autobox will accomodate.

Doc Chevron is probably the man to ask as he made a TD auto for his Dad, a 1.9D box wont be up to it.

[citsncycles]

I'd 2nd the idea of of a hand clutch (or auto clutch conversion) rather than converting to auto. It would keep the car more original, and if you're paying someone else to do the work it could well be cheaper. Although I agree it would be a shame if you had to sell the valver, if you need an auto it might make more sense to find a nice 19 auto to replace it with.

If you want to look into electric clutch conversions, my mate John had one fitted to his H van recently to replace the hand clutch he used to use and seems pleased with the result. He got it done by a company up north and I could get contact details if you like. The only obvious difference inside is the addition of a switch on the gear knob.

[Dollywobbler]

That's interesting. How do you slip an electrically operated clutch?

[citsncycles]

Tbh I'm not certain. I know there's the aforementioned switch, and I believe it's also attached to the throttle, but beyond that I'm not sure - all a bit high tech for me.

[Dollywobbler]

Hi-tech and H van don't usually go together! It was John I thought of when considering hand-operated clutches though.

[citsncycles]

Yep, all his A series cars have them fitted. The only reason he switched to the electric system on the H was because he was struggling to control the clutch and turn the wheel at low speed. He was considering fitting electric power steering but now he can use both hands to turn the wheel he doesn't need to.

[Dollywobbler]

At least you don't have to change gear very often in an H. Third gear is good enough for pretty much anything this side of a Norwegian mountain.

Mark - I still reckon some sort of hand clutch is the way to go. Just like an F1 car! Surely much easier than a soul-destroying auto?

[MULLEY]

Hand clutch would be pretty cool

[citsncycles]

I think these are the people who converted John's H:

http://www.alfredbekker.co.uk/hand-cont ... anual-car/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;