Series Gearbox Codes

Ok I have just been into the shed at the bottom of the garden to check out a code on my old gearbox.

576653CA
LM22W
A

How do I read this Code?
What does it tell me?
What would be a code for the 2A box?

You see I am fitting a Perkins Thumper in my old series 3 and need to know what codes are what.

Cheers Guys

Don't know about box codes.

A 2A box has a completely different clutch salve cylinder arrangement to Series 3. Series 3 has a sort of lever which pivots in the bellhousing with forked end to push on clutch release bearing.

Series 3 has more synchromesh bits. However, the 1st/2nd gear synchro is a bit flimsy and the 2A box is stronger IMHO.

steamcoaster said:

Don't know about box codes.

A 2A box has a completely different clutch salve cylinder arrangement to Series 3. Series 3 has a sort of lever which pivots in the bellhousing with forked end to push on clutch release bearing.

Series 3 has more synchromesh bits. However, the 1st/2nd gear synchro is a bit flimsy and the 2A box is stronger IMHO.

Click to expand...

i agree totally, the 2a box is far stronger, in my youth we used to offroad a series and 2a boxes were as rare as chicken's dick's

I think you need to become familiar with "Suffix Codes" which I believe will be the last letter in the gearbox numbering.

I can state for certain that my 84 S3 (very late) has a "D" suffix gearbox, which I have rebuilt and it is a dream. People say the later the Suffix the weaker the box. This box has been totally reliable in the time I have been using it, which is seven years of general road and farm use.

If I were looking for a box to use with a standard engine, on ordinary roads, it would be a "D".

G'day Miniman,

It appears you have a Suffix A gearbox which is a very early dating for a Series 2; not a 2a from my study of it. I have both a Suffix A and Suffix B gearbox and can verify that the Suffix B box is from the 1964 which generally starts the beginning of the 2a period. The various suffixes brought changes and improvements and in other cases steps backwards. Generally a B Suffix box is the one to have as they had the right balance of innards for bullet proofness before changes were made and the box was steadily weakened in the later suffixes ... money saving devices these were. You have a good box in the A suffix though and should have no problems if it's looked after.

Cleers Tikirocker

The reson I ask is because I have broken two boxes now and am on my third which is now being powered buy a very nice Perkins 4203 3.3L. I have since gained another 2 boxes one I am led to believe is a 2a box.
I will just go out and get the suffix from both......................................................... Am back !

I have submitted some pics for you to have a look at. One of the boxes has the E symbol after a long line of No's

I am guessing the boxes are 2a boxes but as I say I am guessing.
Please enlighten me.....cheers Chris

More photos added

Hey Chris,

Ok mate, I can only see the E suffix on one of your boxes so no idea what the other one is. What I can tell you is that the E suffix is from between the April 67 and December 68 period so is a 2a box in the later period. I can't really help with the other one. Hope that helps.

Best, Simon.

EDIT - I just had a thought though, the numbers on the 2nd box are 9 digit instead of 8 ... Series 2a's are usually 8 digit so maybe the 9 digit without the suffix is a Series 3 box? Not sure though.

Series 3 boxes generally have the number stamped on the edge of the transfer case. some pics of series 3 box with different clutch location.
It is not impossible to fit a series 2 bell housing to a series 3 gearbox.

As above this is B suffix box I sold a while ago, mine is a Suffix D on an 83 and its stamped in the same place, Considered as the strongest of them all!

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/gearboxes.htm