Gearbox woes

[dougie]

my man o/d box (a-type) has a bit of a whine in 1st 2nd & 3rd, nice and quiet in top. Now that to me indicates layshaft needle bearings being worn. I am intending replacing the balls and needles though the input shaft does feel nice and tight. The box is a bit notchy when cold but fine warm. Do you guys agree or should i be looking elsewhere. I am going to lift the lid tomorrow to have a look at the gears. any advice appreciated
dougie

[dougie]

imported post

anybody?

[Sheepdip]

imported post

Sounds like box problems. Without mods you can't get the cover off while in the car tho and even then nothing to see. I did mine last year and it still whined a bit afterwards. My experience....

1) One of the original layshaft bearings is unobtainable. There is an alternative but not surewhats involved infitting (I sourced an original from a friend).

2) The lay gear thrust is by flat needle roller bearing (torroidal?) each endsandwiched between two metal thrust washers - bizarre as nothing to stop the washers turning with the bearing. The 1st gear end has a top hat shaped thrust washer, which in my case showed obvious wear. I didn't change as a replacement (and I only found Paddocks do it) was around £30. However I think theres no option as.......

2) I had a lot of lay gear endfloat; 40+thou. Paddocks supply different thrust washers to overcome excessive end float, but may need to machine the box casing to fit. In my case, I still ended up with 25thou, replacing the top hat thrust will reduce.

3) Be VERY carefull replacing the A type overdrive, pay particular attention to the manual as you WILL break the adapter plate if misaligned :?. Luckily adapter plates are available new and s/h. Second time round I fitted mine sans springs to align all the innards then replaced.

In hindsight I'd have sourced a J type and rebuilt.

Have fun

Paul

[dougie]

imported post

Thanks for that info sheepdip. I ordered a full rebuild kit from paddocks today, so it will be sleeves up and a deep breath on Wednesday and diving in. Its been a few years since ive done car boxes, its usually lathe and other machine boxes i fix and some of them have ten clutches
wish me luck
dougie

[Sheepdip]

imported post

Have funDougie, if I can suggest, strip it down first to assess before committing to rebuild, if there is any sign of other wear may be best to source a replacement box and refund from paddocks.

If I'm pedantic about refitting the o/d, its only cause its so easy to get it wrong as I found out. £50 for another plate is needless expense.

BTW - a Triumphgarage down in Essex suggested a trick in replacing the main bearings, heat the box first with a paint stripper gun then they just slide in. Don't know if it works tho!

Paul

[dougie]

imported post

Gearbox rebuild went to plan.no major issues and a very worn input shaft bearing. O/D was a bit of fun to replace but box all together and working fine,still whines a bit though but not nearly as much and no cold crunching at all.
dougie

[Dave L]

imported post

The stag that I am presently restoring has a 4 speed gearbox,so I made contact with someone in England that always seems to have restorations on the go and purchased what was supposed to be a good 4 speed with a J overdrive.

The gearbox sat in a friends warehouse in Buffalo for 6 months before me bringing it back to Toronto,it was then I realised that he had sent me an A drive. The guy in England agreed to provide me with an J type overdrive and box but that was 2 years ago.

My question is ,should I refurbish the A type and gearbox or try and source a good ,reasonably priced, four speed and ship it to Canada.

Thanks

Dave L

[DJT]

imported post

Dave L wrote:

The stag that I am presently restoring has a 4 speed gearbox,so I made contact with someone in England that always seems to have restorations on the go and purchased what was supposed to be a good 4 speed with a J overdrive.

The gearbox sat in a friends warehouse in Buffalo for 6 months before me bringing it back to Toronto,it was then I realised that he had sent me an A drive. The guy in England agreed to provide me with an J type overdrive and box but that was 2 years ago.

My question is ,should I refurbish the A type and gearbox or try and source a good ,reasonably priced, four speed and ship it to Canada.

Thanks

Dave L

H Dave,

There are many who believe the A-type to be a smoother o/drive than the J-type. Iused an A-type for 18 years and found it to be excellent. Why not fit it and see how you like it. You could always source a J-type and refurbish it at your leisure for future fitting.

Dave

[Dave M]

imported post

Thought I would continue the gearbox thread, my gearbox has a metal on metal sounding clunk when you take your foot off the acceleratorin first gear. To be honest its more annoying than anything. Stag specialist rebuilt the gearbox and its always done it since then even though they say they have removed the box and checked it to no avail. If I decide to keep the car I will have to repair or change the box as the clunk does annoy me, any ideas what it could and would I be better off replacing the box with a recon, if I can find a decent one.

Dave