Gearbox side plate

[JUP]

Have taken side plate off gearbox to free up box
Need guidance please in refitting
Gearbox is still in car
Do I fit selectors in side plate or gearbox ?
What else do I need to do so side plate lines up with everything in box

[Keith Clements]

Selectors need to be in box. You need to giggle the selectors using the cover ìnto position. Patience and not brute force are required. The reverse lever also needs positioning. Have the selectors and the operating arms in the neutral position whilst doing this.

[JUP]

Very helpful indeed - thank you

[Forumadmin]

You may also like to remove the detent mechanism ( the brass cover towards the back) before doing this as the plungers, springs and rocker could fall out. Then replace and adjust when all in place and bolted down. Worth putting smear of gasket cement on U shaped cover at front since your paper gasket is probably shot!

[David Morris]

Hi Jup,

I suspect Keith's very useful advice above has introduced a new meaning of the word 'giggle'. I believe in this case, he means 'jiggle', but I guessed you worked that out? Or perhaps Keith means you should do this delicate operation whilst in a state of mild intoxication?

Personally, I wouldn't touch the brass detent mechanism. Let sleeping dogs lie, but hold the bars against the detents whilst fitting the cover. Also, now's the time to have a good look at the selector bars before refitting them. Are the side surfaces scored, if so, linish to get a smooth finish. Also check the selector forks are not loose on the bars. If so, give the rivets a good tapping against a hard surface to tighten.

Hope all goes well,

David

[JUP]

Next Challenge

How do I get the gearbox into neutral with side plate off ?

[David Morris]

Hi Jup,

Umm...Well, if it helps, it might be a good starting position to get into the setting position for the selectors.

You should see that the vertical post has a tab which engages with the selector bars. It also has a slot which needs to be in alignment with a small hole drilled either into the casing of the gearbox or the side cover. Not sure of the exact size of the diameter of this hole, but it's about 3mm. Find a twist drill that fits when reversed into the hole. If my memory of this hole means it is in the cover, then a degree of guesswork, as the cover is off, would need to be applied!

Pegging the selector post with a drill bit inserted into this hole should bring the selector bars into the correct setting position. I should think that you might need to manually bring the baulk rings into their right positions to align with the selector forks?

I hope that other members who have had to do this operation, often at the roadside, might be able to give you better advice?

Hope all goes well,

David

[JUP]

Jobs a good one - all sorted and working very well indeed
Thanks for the help from everyone

[Keith Clements]

I think the hole is 5/32 inch from memory!