2000SC Gear selection trouble

impmann

New Member
Hi All,

I've recently taken over the custody of a 1966 2000SC, and I'm having the devils own job with selecting first and second gear. It feels like they just aren't there, but if you very carefully feel around, eventually I can find the selection - third and fourth seem fine and so does reverse. The previous owner seemed to have a 'knack' that I'm struggling with... to the point that I'm just not enjoying the car at all right now.

I've spent a bit of time Googling and searching here for input about this issue - but none seem to be exactly this fault condition. I've seen that some of the specialists sell bushes and even replacement gear levers but its really confusing as to what is needed for my car. I've tried to make sense of the exploded diagrams etc but... then I read that they may not apply to my car!

I'm a bit 'green' when it comes to the P6 - my knowledge base is mainly Imps, so assume I know nothing and that will be a great starting point.

Any help gratefully received!
Many thanks
 
Remove the gear lever and see if you still have the ‘acorn’ rubber tip still attached. It’s not unheard of for those to fall off and give you a lucky dip shifting experience.
 
The series 1 cars (and series 1.5) have a different remote selector arrangement to the later cars, which are much more ponderous and 'notchy' to operate than the later setup change.
The difference is that the remote selector assembly on your car is bolted to the transmission tunnel, with the remote rod reaching through the empty void underneath to the selectors on the top of the gearbox. Series 2 gearboxes have a remote selector housing mounted to the gearbox with all of the remote selector and rod gubbins contained within it. This simply floats beneath the hole on the transmission tunnel where the gear lever comes through, and has better operational integrity.
The consequence of the earlier setup is that gear selection is very susceptible to misalignment of the drivetrain. If you slide underneath you will find a transverse support rod passing through the rear bottom of the gearbox with a round 'snub' rubber in it. This bush needs to be exactly in the mid-point of the rod. It will have a tendency to migrate towards the passenger side over time, as the engine mounts degrade and the torque of the engine shifts the whole drive train off the centreline. In this situation, the other end of the remote selector rod from your gearchange will be attempting to push/pull the selector forks on a slight angle, hence the very notchy and inconsistent gearchange you are experiencing.

My first port of call would be to remove the centre console (3 nuts & 2 set screws - all accessible beneath the ashtrays) and check the integrity of the plastic spherical bush that the gearlever ball swivels in, and the presence of the acorn on the end of the lever (replace with new from the suppliers). But if that proves to be good, slide underneath and check the alignment of the drive train. You may find it will make a significant difference to the operation of the gearchange.
 

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Thanks both for the replies. It’s much appreciated.

I shall take it apart and see what it all looks like.
Is there anything to watch out for when taking the gear lever/centre console apart?
 
There is a screw under the front centre of the handbrake lever rubber boot hidden by a flap of rubber made by 2 cuts in the rubber - pull the flap up to expose the screw head. remove the ashtrays by squeezing the vertical side clips. remove the console speaker grille (2 screws at top), then 2 screws horizontal into the bottom of the centre console. Remove the speaker if fitted.There are 2 bolts under the rear ashtray. Unscrew the gear lever knob, remove the chromed finisher. Lubricate the handbrake grip. Lift the whole cover up and forward into the speaker cavity and ease the handbrake boot over the grip -not always easy! Take care not to damage the gear lever boot.
 
To resurrect this, which are the better for the 8 mounting rubbers, extension Housing to gearbox on the Series 2 . I note that "Rubber " and "Urethane" are available ?
 
If you mean 594229 in the diagram attached, I wasn't aware they were available new! I am rebuilding a gearbox at present and thought I'd have to reuse the old ones. Can you post a link?
I'd personally go for urethane over rubber for durability, and I don't expect vibrations to be particularly harsh in that area.
 

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I had a similar feel to my gear lever. It was a simple fix. The alloy plate that holds the lever in place was slightly too far left basically allowing the lever to almost find reverse without lifting the lever.
I simple loosened the three bolt and moved the plate right by a couple of mm. It is perfect now.
 
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