Morris Minor Owners Club

Needing too much force to get in gear isn't the normal failure mode.
Typically it would go into gear just fine, then pop out again on the over run or on hard acceleration, can't remember which.
Does it go into top easily when the engine isn't running?

Take the gearbox tunnel cover off( easy now you have a new set of screws-use a cordless drill to whip them out). Remove the remote(4 nuts,not such a huge job this side of the border )
Check the nylon insert which the extension operates in. Mine had broken up, causing jumping out of one gear only.
The 5 speed option is nice, but the standard box is so simple that even pulling the whole box out and fault finding/replacing is going to be the quicker option!
Ultimately- if the selector shifts FULLY into 4th gear, and the synchro teeth haven't all ground away, and the main input bearing hasn't suddenly got a load of end play, then it has to work correctly!

The 'big job' is getting the cover off if it's not been removed for 40 years........ Obviously the remote itself is 'simples'.....

The floor is held in by four of the screws at the moment, for ease of getting to the gearbox etc (also, I haven't got around to replacing all of the screws yet )

It seems that the 5 speed conversion would be the best in the long run, as i have the 'box and fitting kit already in the garage. Sourcing and buying another good 1098 'box isn't really an option, as i can't afford the cost at the moment and i would be unlikely to recoup the cost of the 5 speed box if i tried to sell it

The 1098 IS longer (the bit that goes inside the 'ole).

Yes it is, the bit below the ball is longer on the 1098 than the 948, so could prevent the complete engagement of gears, thus jumping out.

Jaguar68,

Do you have levers with different lengths below the ball? If so try the longer one. If not they may all be 948 or variants?

I've tried using the gear lever with the longest extension, however I still can't engage forth gear. the car is parked on the road making working on the gearbox more taxing. The gearbox "seems" to engage forth while stationary, but won't engage(?) or stay in gear whilst in motion.