gearbox 'swap'

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:19 pm

hummm

well its taken me about an hour to get clean and pretty much all day to get one gearbox out, let alone get the other one in.

Car is now sat on ramp on the drive and I'm really not a happy bunny.

had to saw through one prop shaft bolt (why were they so tight?) lost one of the captive bolts on the cross member so ground that bolt off, and had to drill out one of the upper cross member bolts from the top.

then getting the box out seemed almost impossible, I'm starting to wish I had done engine out, and wondering if thats the only way to get it all back together again.

Help!

going to go and eat now and drink a bottle of wine to numb my aches

defiantly a garage job next time

oh and the 'second hand' box that i have got, well no way i'm putting it in to have it fail so its full recon on one of them before I even attempt to return it to where its supposed to be

remember a thread asking for the worst job? well this must count pretty high

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:29 pm

It's not a pleasant job - lining up the input shaft with the clutch can be a nightmare - especially if you are working on your own. It's MUCH easier if you borrow the use of a proper 4 wheel lift for a few hours. If you have use of a hoist - it may well be easier to swing the whole lot in from the front of the car. Nice Mini Traveller (or is it a Countryman ?) - is this a new purchase ? Lots of Mini action on Minifinity.com !

Post by **HarryMango** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:51 pm

Rob_Jennings wrote:then getting the box out seemed almost impossible, I'm starting to wish I had done engine out, and wondering if thats the only way to get it all back together again.

Hi Rob

You've done the hard bit now - it'll be easier putting things back together as you don't have to deal with the siezed threads/rounded heads issue. What was the problem getting the Gearbox out ?

Things will look a lot better after your vino

Rog

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:29 pm

It can be a real b******* to get it out/in. The steering rack gets in the way - and the box needs to be twisted to one side and turned when past the rack, all the time trying to engage the first motion shaft in the clutch centre without putting any load on either the clutch - or the first motion!! I always find putting back is much more difficult than taking out - rounded bolts etc excepted.

Post by **HarryMango** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:39 pm

I must have been lucky last time - still, probably spoken too soon as my gearbox jumps out of 2nd so I have to take it off again sometime.

Rog

Post by **Roni** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:46 pm

You bring back memories. Some years ago I swapped a reconditioned gearbox into a previous car. Lying on my back, with the gearbox on top of me, trying to work out why it would not go the final ½" was one of the less pleasant memories of working on a Minor. I could get the splines lined up OK. The necessity of getting it going to get to work the next morning didn't help either. After pulling it all out again and sitting staring at it for a while, it was late evening, The problem presented itself - one locating dowel in the motor and another in the recon gearbox in the same location. I now have a spare dowel! I did get to work the next morning but it was a late night.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:04 pm

Heh heh - I have had that problem with Minis in the past! At least they are a lot more accessible.

Post by **dunketh** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:19 pm

I had a go at taking my box out to change the clutch. I gave up and pulled the engine instead!

Despite the umpteen amount of things to disconnect it was still easier and quicker!

Trouble with the box is you have to unbolt the x-member and totaly remove it from the box too - else it prevents you from twisting the box to clear the steering rack.

Post by **Packedup** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:04 am

dunketh wrote:I had a go at taking my box out to change the clutch. I gave up and pulled the engine instead!

Despite the umpteen amount of things to disconnect it was still easier and quicker!

<On the scrounge> I don't suppose you happen to have a hoist then? And maybe even fancy a few beers and a takeout in exchange for lending a hand?

</OtS>

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:07 pm

There is actually relatively little to undo to pop the engine out. And hardly any of it involves lying on the floor under the car! If you have access to a hoist it's by far the easier way of getting at the clutch. However - a gearbox swap obviously does need the box to be removed - and it needs a good hoist to be able to lift the complete engine + box out.

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:56 am

well order placed for broken bits. cover screws, prop screws, member bolts, new clutch (might as well), new steady cable.

Gear box is on is way for tor reconditioning, so now I just ahve to wait for everything to come back. Mean time Lizzy is left on the drive up on ramps, bet the neighbours love me.

Do think I will be ok with one missing member bolt for a short time? as I don't have welding equipment to tack the captive nut back in place. (fortunatly its not one under the master cylinder). When its all put back together I'll have to get to some one who can.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:09 am

Yes - it will be fine. Who is doing the 'reconditioning' of the box ?

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:30 am

John Evans in Portsmouth, its local enough to me and listed in the mag/traders sections here.

Post by **dunketh** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:02 pm

I don't suppose you happen to have a hoist then? And maybe even fancy a few beers and a takeout in exchange for lending a hand?

Of course. Sorry for the delay in replying.
You're only a stones throw up the road.

Id need to arrange it with a mate, its his dads home made A frame with a block and tackle. Does the job really well, better than an Hydraulic hoist as you can lower it almost milimeters at a time.

I've had my engine in and out no less than four times now. Got it down to a 2 hour job now.

Post by **Packedup** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:50 pm

I've had a long day of oily fun (and not so...) times, but will get back to you about this soon

Morris Minor Owners Club

gearbox 'swap'

gearbox 'swap'

Re: gearbox 'swap'