Guys I posted this prior on the "ALL" tab. Didn't know the 1800 board was so active, please forgive me.

I'm looking at an 1800ES this Thursday. I had one previously and loved it. This one is quite tired looking, but supposedly in good shape (73K miles). Some surface rust, straight body (no bondo), faded interior (couldn't see the condition of the seats) and has an automatic. I know that will have to go for sure. Since I owned one prior I'm pretty confident in how to inspect it, but would gladly still listen to the advice of others. I'd also like to hear on alternatives to replace the automatic. Obviously an M41 would be perfect. How hard are these to find and at what cost? Can you mount an M46 to the bell housing of an M41? I know the M46 is for a "slanted engine mount", but when put on a M41 bell housing will it straighten out? Any other issues trying to do this? I think I read some of these have electronic speedometer outputs, what years? Can you still retrofit a mechanical output and will it work with the P1800 speedo? Can you make the P1800 speedo electronic? Use the guts to a matching tranny and house in the mechanical body with P1800 face? I also saw a conversion to use a Toyota transmission, and a Ford T5. Costs and opinions anyone? How do you get those to provide output for the stock speedo? Any other possibilities?

Last but not least if the car is as described (I hope to give more details after I see it), what might be a fair price?

Jerry
01 V70 T5a

I wouldn't say that car looks tired... I'd say it's a lazy seller that doesn't wash a car before selling it. Looks pretty nice to me.

As for the transmission... I've never done the swap in an 1800 (don't know if the tunnel is different like on a 122). I think you are over thinking it though.. I'd just do an M41 conversion. (no, you can't just use the bellhousing with a M46). There are folks who can maybe help with other conversions... I'm not one of them. I might be able to help with some parts, as I have a 1800E that I'll be parting. Hopefully the auto box is in good condition so you can enjoy the car prior to the swap.

Pricewise? If the car is as it looks and as described, I'd say the asking price is fair.. especially if the front seats are as nice as those in the rear. It does rather look like it's been sitting in storage for a while... I'd definitely want to drive it and make sure it's running well, as sitting can be hell on the fuel injection system.

as you surely know... rust is the biggest enemy. Look carefully underneath, the jacking points....other structural members. If that's the original paint, I bet she's pretty clean...

Let us know how it goes.. sure would be nice to see pics of that one after it gets cleaned up and parked on the lawn on a sunny day...

--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂

I just put a T5 in my 1800es automatic last summer. I already did it to my 444 with a b20 the a couple of years ago. I will be doing it to my original 1800es that has a perfectly good m41. The T5 IMHO is better newer and fits right in. Shifter comes up through present hole. I have some pictures from the 444 conversion. Parts required are a T5 from a 4 cylinder 2.3 mustang pretty common)... the adapter plate (Mike Dudek has some) a rear tranny bracket and a modified front drive shaft with a FORD yoke for the front. As for speedometer and such... I had a cable made with the ford end on it and then a 23 tooth plastic gear makes for a correct speedo with 3.91 rear axle.
http://www.georger.com/gds/t5_transmission_conversion.htm

good luck

Christopher at georger dot com