workshop manual

[David Olivant]

I am fitting a 603E engine and box to my 408 as the origonal engine is porous.
Does any-one have a manual for the Engine/gearbox for a 603 I could purchase, have copied or copy myself?
Thank you.
David

[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 :-)

[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

[Ronald G. Stephenson]

That system was cable operated, and requires that transmission to work. Later cars went to a more conventional shift lever, so if you wish to keep the pushbuttons, you will need to keep that transmission and have it rebuilt. The internals are garden variety(cheap),and the transmission can be built to shift smoothly or harsh for longer life. Slippage is bad on anything. Good luck.

[Kevin H]

David,

As far as I am aware Bristol stopped producing workshop manuals long before the 603. I don't know what the last workshop manual was, maybe for the 408? You certainly can't get one for the 411, in fact you can't even get a parts list for the 411, or probably any Bristol later than that.

This was probably a Tony Crook "initiative" to protect BCLs service business.

So the best you will get is a workshop manual for another car which used the LA series Chrysler small block and the same transmission. That should be very easy to find.

Regards,
Kevin