3500s manual problems - Popping out off 1 and reverse.

N

NigelBrown

New Member
Forgetting my bonnet problems (see the welcome section :( )

The manual box works well in 2 - 4 but pops out of both 1st and reverse. Its also very hard to move between 1/2 and 3/4, kind of have to jiggle the stick to move it across.
Now my question is do people think that it the box, or could it just be the selectors or rods.
Add to this the fact that the prop seems to be a little out of balance its not the most smooth ride.
I have a spare box that came with the car but it came with no history, so for all I know it could be worse, came with a selection of very rusty props as well so I think that someone in the past thought about fixing it. But it does give me an option to referb it while keeping the car running.

Any thoughts?
 
Jumping out of reverse is a common problem and after checking the gearlever and selector striker lever the reverse selector stop bolt and reverse light switch adjustment are the next places to look. Unfortunately (for you) experience has taught me it's normally the actual selector adjustment at fault if you're lucky, but usually it's caused by damage to the laygear/reverse idler/reverse gear on the mainshaft. As you have problems moving across the gate it could be the striker lever. I have to say it is difficult to know without seeing/driving the car. The actual selector adjustment inside the box is critical, and is not for the faint hearted. If you have a s/h box it may well be worth getting someone who knows what they are doing to strip and inspect it, then if it's OK re-assemble and fit that one.
The propshaft could have worn joints or just be misaligned.
 
As another way forward Nigel, if I remember correctly JC on this forum had a good 3500S gearbox he was looking to find a good home for recently.
 
Talking about gearbox repairs, i am trying to figure out what mine will need to get repaired.
Gearchange quality is surprisingly nice but it is really noisy, especially in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Having in mind the condition and history of the car it seems that it must have been around the clock a few times!
This suggests that a rebuilt of the existing box will probably be costly, so i think that it would be better to find a less tired gearbox, check it, and the just swap it over.
 
If it's noisy in those gears it suggests a first motion shaft bearing or layshaft bearing fault. Is the gearbox noisy in neutral with the engine running? And if so does this noise disappear when you dip the clutch? If it's only those bearings I would think it would be worth replacing them.
 
Yep, still have the gearbox. Infact, I took the trouble to clean the 30 odd years of road dirt and grime off it a couple of weeks back. Its a shiny silver colour now! :D
Its currently sat in friends garage in chester although I was intending to move it to sutton coldfield (birmingham) towards the end of this month and eBay it as I had not had any interest in it.

email me if of interest... jc_moulds@hotmail.com

All the best,

Jon.
 
harveyp6 said:
Is the gearbox noisy in neutral with the engine running? And if so does this noise disappear when you dip the clutch?
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Yep, this is exactly what it does.

What i am thinking is that gears and shafts that run for who knows how long on worn out bearings may be well worn out too.

And while bearings are relatively inexpensive, shafts and gears are very expensive right? And then you add the cost of rebuilt and it piles up.

I am thinking along these lines because a few months ago i rebuilt the gearbox in the Austin and although i used a good used maishaft and gears, the bill was still high. These boxes can have serious damage inside but they won't let you know until you see bits coming out with the oil change!

The Rover gearboxes are different animals but i am still scared!
 
webmaster said:
Ideal opportunity to fit a 5 speed box ? :)
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If it was a V8 i would certainly consider it.
But i am afraid that with a 4cyl it is still a challenge.

After all this is going to be a "leisure" car and not an everyday car.
Plus in contrast with the Austin i intend to keep it largely original.
Last but not least i like the gearchange feel of the short gearlever.
 
Demetris, it sounds like first motion shaft and/or layshaft bearings, but either way, the only way to be sure is remove/dismantle and inspect. The rear bearing is NLA (as far as I know) but that may not be needed. As for gears etc they should be OK but if not they are always available from other boxes.
Having said that a good s/h box has got to come out cheaper than a rebuild.
 
Thanks Harvey,

i have learnt that when rebuilding a gearbox is always useful to have another good used for those NLA or very expensive new parts.
But since P6 gearboxes are like hens teeth over here now, i have to order something from UK.
Plus it is not very convenient to have the car in the garage in pieces waiting for the spares to arrive.

For these reasons rebuilding the existing box now is not very convenient.

So, is anyone out there with a decent low mileage 4 cyl gearbox for sale? Obviously i cannot pick up so we should arrange something for shipping.
 
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