I said I'd update the list re. my gearbox, so here goes:
To recap: when my gearbox blew up last week, I decided to get a
reconditioned unit from John Kipping, and getting a local (non-LBC)
garage to fit it. I also asked them to check the clutch while the
gearbox is off.
The garage checked the clutch as I asked, it was worn almost right down
- certainly worth changing. They ordered a clutch from their local
supplier, fitted that and the recon gearbox, and road-tested - the
clutch was not releasing properly. After a while, they discovered that
the cover plate on the new clutch was a lot thicker than the one that
came off the car. They assumed they'd been supplied the wrong part, so
they went back to their supplier - no, that's definitely the right one.
So they tried another supplier - who delivered the same, too-thick
cover.
Eventually, they decided to use the old cover - it was only the friction
plate and release bearing that really needed replacing. So the question
is - did both of the garages supplier send them the same wrong part
(unlikely) or does my car have a different cover to standard (why would
anyone do this)?
Ok, so clutch problems sorted out (albeit with some questions
unanswered) I got the car back - with the reverse light and overdrive
not working. I took the tunnel off and found that all the wiring had
been connected wrongly. Took me a minute or two with a multi-meter to
figure out what goes where, but eventually got it all straightened out.
Now, the reverse light works fine, and overdrive works fine in 3rd gear
- but doesn't work at all in 4th. I got out the multi-meter to figure
out what's going on, and here's what I found. Gearstick in 3rd gear -
12v across the overdrive switch. Gearstick in neutral, but pushed over
towards 3rd/4th gear - 12v. Push the gearstick into 4th, and you get
12v as the syncro-mesh engages, but 0v as it actually goes into gear.
So, is this a problem with the way the gearbox was fitted, a faulty
gearbox, a faulty inhibitor switch, or something else I haven't thought
of?
I regret letting the garage do this now - the extra time/cost involved
negated all the reasons I decided not to do it myself. Next time, I
don't think I'll bother!
Anyway, the gearbox itself seems fine - the gearchanges are a tiny bit
stiff, but not a hint of groaning on any gearchange. But this is what
you'd expect immediately after fitting it - it's how it holds up over
time that counts! I'll update the list again after I've done a bit of
mileage. In the meantime, if anyone has any answers to the questions,
I'd appreciate it!
Dean Dashwood
'77 Spit 1500
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