Viscous Coupling - Land Rovers Only

billfish · 08-20-2007, 07:06 PM

The weakest link of the BW Transfer Case has proven itself just that. Anybody bought one of these recently/reasonably? I missed a new one earlier on Ebay at a great price from a member here by seconds.

computer froze. Anyway.....I just thought I would ask if anybody knew a good source besides the stealer....er... I mean dealer. Atlantic British and British Pacific are about the same $ wise. Just wondering if there are other sources. Thanks.

Fish

stevo-II · 08-20-2007, 07:30 PM

Have you considered doing an LT230 swap? Not too difficult, you get the benefit of a locking center diff, which besides the obvious traction advantage, if you bust an axle, ujoint, etc, you can still drive home on the front or rear......

Steve

gragravar · 08-20-2007, 10:22 PM

mine has also failed, at least it failed open though so I can get around town in the meantime.

I plan to replace mine with the manually locking one from a disco1

billfish · 08-21-2007, 01:27 PM

I have Stevo-II.....my funds for this particular Rover won't stretch that far. I think if I could I would do just what you described. Thanks.

Fish

sven · 08-21-2007, 02:22 PM

A LT230 conversion will usually cost less than a new VC. More work involved but totally worth it.

stevo-II · 08-22-2007, 09:23 AM

Your cheapest route might be finding a used B/W, but I agree with sven, I often see LT230's here and there for ~$400 with the passengers side mount. You would just need a front driveshaft, but you could do without it for a while with the LT230....

billfish · 08-22-2007, 10:41 AM

I didn't realize that. The VC and labor is probably going to run 1200. I haven't checked on a drive shaft but I think I might ought to do a little homework? I don't mind doing what I can but when it comes to clunky heavy trans and tc I just don't have the set up and have to visit the independant. Fortunately they offer good service and fair rates as rates go. The rates are not the problem....it's that damn book usually.

Anybody have any idea what ~ $ I'd be up against on a conversion? I know the VC job will run ~1200 and at least 900 of that will be the part.

Thanks

stevo-II · 08-23-2007, 09:54 AM

From what I've heard, the issues with the LT230 swap is more in the details surrounding the linkage and ancillary stuff. For the most part, it just bolts up, BUT - if you get an LT230, get one from a later model D1 (don't get one from a D2, they don't have the speedo connection I think) - on the D1 they changed the input gear on the LT230 somewhere in 96-97? to improve the oiling. What that means is you would need to change the output shaft on the tranny in your classic - no big deal, super easy to swap while the T/C is out, takes like 3 minutes to do, BUT you would need to get the new output shaft from the dealer - that could run >$150 (just guessing). But you might get lucky and find a used one or get the one from the vehicle the LT230 came out of. If its an earlier LT230, thats ok, they bolt right up.

The things you will want to get from the donar vehicle:

LT230 (duh!), linkage, passenger side mount on LT230, parking brake assembly, and front driveshaft if possible. If you get all that, you are golden. The only mod you might have to make is on some LT230's the bolt pattern on the rear output only lines up with 3 bolts on the driveshaft flange, the 4 bolt hole won't line up, you would need someone to drill and tap that hole. Like I mentioned before, I passed up and offer on all the above stuff for ~$700 - I had more pressing issues on my truck, now I'm kicking myself for not pulling the trigger. The T/C is heavy, but a cheap tranny jack from harbor freight would do the trick. This is something you can definately do in a garage, especially if you can get the truck up on ramps in the garage. I think more people have issues with the linkage/interlock connections/etc than the actual mechanical bits...

but then again, I've never done this. I have done it on a jeep and its not too bad, just get a friend or two to help. If you just had your shop drill and tap the rear output to match the driveshaft flange, and then pull the B/W and put in the LT230 and swap the front driveshaft, shouldn't be too bad, you could then pull the center console and do the linkage on your own time....

anybody that has done this, please chime in if I'm way off on something.

Sign Guy · 08-23-2007, 01:02 PM

I picked up a used VC for $150 delivered. I haven't had a chance to get it in yet (doing the head gaskets) but it looks like all I have to do is pull the front shaft and pull the houseing around the VC and put the new one on. Just a thought, especially if $$$ is an issue. I got mine from Rezdiver.

bargecapt · 08-23-2007, 01:33 PM

just courious, but has anyone ever heard, seen or had a coupling rebuilt? i know there are shops that do torque converters

gordo · 08-23-2007, 02:31 PM

Dude email/PM Paul Grant as he probably has one. It is SIMPLE to put it and you can do it right in the vehicle. I bought mine used for 100 bucks 12 bucks worth of right stuff and a couple hours of work. No problem. Gordo.

Sign Guy · 08-23-2007, 05:35 PM

IIRC Paul doesn't separate them but I think Iamthedrillbit does. What is the right stuff? Your not talking about the household sealing foam are you?

08-20-2007, 07:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
billfish Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11 Gallery: 0	Viscous Coupling The weakest link of the BW Transfer Case has proven itself just that. Anybody bought one of these recently/reasonably? I missed a new one earlier on Ebay at a great price from a member here by seconds. computer froze. Anyway.....I just thought I would ask if anybody knew a good source besides the stealer....er... I mean dealer. Atlantic British and British Pacific are about the same $ wise. Just wondering if there are other sources. Thanks. Fish

08-20-2007, 07:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
stevo-II WWTSD? (what would Tony Soprano do?) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 116 Gallery: 0	Have you considered doing an LT230 swap? Not too difficult, you get the benefit of a locking center diff, which besides the obvious traction advantage, if you bust an axle, ujoint, etc, you can still drive home on the front or rear...... Steve __________________ 2001 D2 -The Stevo-II 1992 RRC-The Stevo-I

08-20-2007, 10:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
gragravar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 683 Gallery: 0	mine has also failed, at least it failed open though so I can get around town in the meantime. I plan to replace mine with the manually locking one from a disco1 __________________ current rides: 2004 Land Rover Discovery II SE7 (still stock) 1992 Range Rover Classic (work in Progress) 2003 Audi allroad (more than a little modified) 1999 BMW R1100S 2001 BMW 330i (wife needed something to drive)

08-21-2007, 02:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
sven Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Centre of PA Posts: 373 Gallery: 0	A LT230 conversion will usually cost less than a new VC. More work involved but totally worth it. __________________ 99 D1 73 Series SWB 95 RRC LWB - Sold

08-22-2007, 09:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
stevo-II WWTSD? (what would Tony Soprano do?) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 116 Gallery: 0	Your cheapest route might be finding a used B/W, but I agree with sven, I often see LT230's here and there for ~$400 with the passengers side mount. You would just need a front driveshaft, but you could do without it for a while with the LT230.... __________________ 2001 D2 -The Stevo-II 1992 RRC-The Stevo-I

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08-21-2007, 01:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
billfish Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11 Gallery: 0	I have Stevo-II.....my funds for this particular Rover won't stretch that far. I think if I could I would do just what you described. Thanks. Fish

08-22-2007, 10:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
billfish Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11 Gallery: 0	I didn't realize that. The VC and labor is probably going to run 1200. I haven't checked on a drive shaft but I think I might ought to do a little homework? I don't mind doing what I can but when it comes to clunky heavy trans and tc I just don't have the set up and have to visit the independant. Fortunately they offer good service and fair rates as rates go. The rates are not the problem....it's that damn book usually. Anybody have any idea what ~ $ I'd be up against on a conversion? I know the VC job will run ~1200 and at least 900 of that will be the part. Thanks

08-23-2007, 09:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
stevo-II WWTSD? (what would Tony Soprano do?) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 116 Gallery: 0	From what I've heard, the issues with the LT230 swap is more in the details surrounding the linkage and ancillary stuff. For the most part, it just bolts up, BUT - if you get an LT230, get one from a later model D1 (don't get one from a D2, they don't have the speedo connection I think) - on the D1 they changed the input gear on the LT230 somewhere in 96-97? to improve the oiling. What that means is you would need to change the output shaft on the tranny in your classic - no big deal, super easy to swap while the T/C is out, takes like 3 minutes to do, BUT you would need to get the new output shaft from the dealer - that could run >$150 (just guessing). But you might get lucky and find a used one or get the one from the vehicle the LT230 came out of. If its an earlier LT230, thats ok, they bolt right up. The things you will want to get from the donar vehicle: LT230 (duh!), linkage, passenger side mount on LT230, parking brake assembly, and front driveshaft if possible. If you get all that, you are golden. The only mod you might have to make is on some LT230's the bolt pattern on the rear output only lines up with 3 bolts on the driveshaft flange, the 4 bolt hole won't line up, you would need someone to drill and tap that hole. Like I mentioned before, I passed up and offer on all the above stuff for ~$700 - I had more pressing issues on my truck, now I'm kicking myself for not pulling the trigger. The T/C is heavy, but a cheap tranny jack from harbor freight would do the trick. This is something you can definately do in a garage, especially if you can get the truck up on ramps in the garage. I think more people have issues with the linkage/interlock connections/etc than the actual mechanical bits... but then again, I've never done this. I have done it on a jeep and its not too bad, just get a friend or two to help. If you just had your shop drill and tap the rear output to match the driveshaft flange, and then pull the B/W and put in the LT230 and swap the front driveshaft, shouldn't be too bad, you could then pull the center console and do the linkage on your own time.... anybody that has done this, please chime in if I'm way off on something. __________________ 2001 D2 -The Stevo-II 1992 RRC-The Stevo-I

08-23-2007, 01:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sign Guy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 114 Gallery: 0	Maybe a used VC I picked up a used VC for $150 delivered. I haven't had a chance to get it in yet (doing the head gaskets) but it looks like all I have to do is pull the front shaft and pull the houseing around the VC and put the new one on. Just a thought, especially if $$$ is an issue. I got mine from Rezdiver. __________________ Bill 93 LWB Westminster 155+k miles ArmyRover- "it's actually more of self inflicted torture chamber with doors and tires"- with this, I can relate! O Crap! decals - $3.00 to your door.

08-23-2007, 01:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
bargecapt bargecapt Join Date: May 2006 Location: spartanburg, sc Posts: 76 Gallery: 0	anyone heard of getting a viscus coupling rebuilt? just courious, but has anyone ever heard, seen or had a coupling rebuilt? i know there are shops that do torque converters

08-23-2007, 02:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
gordo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 307 Gallery: 0	Dude email/PM Paul Grant as he probably has one. It is SIMPLE to put it and you can do it right in the vehicle. I bought mine used for 100 bucks 12 bucks worth of right stuff and a couple hours of work. No problem. Gordo. __________________ Gordo www.floridalandroverclub.com 00 P38 4.6 blinging 92 stocker RRC 73 hybrid wheeler

08-23-2007, 05:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sign Guy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 114 Gallery: 0	IIRC Paul doesn't separate them but I think Iamthedrillbit does. What is the right stuff? Your not talking about the household sealing foam are you? __________________ Bill 93 LWB Westminster 155+k miles ArmyRover- "it's actually more of self inflicted torture chamber with doors and tires"- with this, I can relate! O Crap! decals - $3.00 to your door.

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