[Spits] Spitfires Digest, Vol 2, Issue 203

[Glenn Franco]

I was lucky enough to have spare parts so I cut down a cluster gear 
shaft when I rebuilt my trans.
To put the cluster in position to install, I used mechanics wire to pull 
up the cluster gear.
Good Luck
\Glenn

Doug Braun wrote:
> This is where the "dummy shaft trick" will help out:
>
> First get a wood or plastic shaft the same diameter as the
> real countershaft, and a wee bit shorter then the cluster gear.
>
> Then fit the needles to each end of the cluster gear, using vaseline or grease to hold them in place.
>
> Then put the dummy shaft in the cluster, to firmly hold the needles in place.
>
> Then drop the cluster gear into the case.
>
> Finally, when it is time to slide in the layshaft, it will push the dummy shaft out the other end, and the needles will stay where they belong.
>
> I still have my dummy shaft (a piece of dowel) that I made up about 16 years ago.
>
> Doug
>
>
>
>
> --- On Thu, 12/18/08, Glenn Franco <gaf3 at charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>   
>> I rebuilt a 3 rail for my race car about a year ago. The
>> most difficult 
>> job is getting the cluster back in position without loosing
>> the needle bearings.