Transmission issue - won't go into second

[gatsby989]

Well, drove my new-to-me mog yesterday for the first time. Just a quick around the neighborhood, as the brakes need some work.

The seller told me there was a problem with it popping out of second. But we could hardly get it to go into second. We got it in just once, and apparently that was luck. It didn't pop out, but we weren't able to get it back in again. It makes a grinding noise trying to shift into second, and just won't go in. First and third are fine, as is reverse. We didn't try 4th, on account of the lack of adequate brakes.

This is a 1957 Minor 1000. It has the 948 engine, but at some point has been fitted with a ribbed case transmission. So, I'm guessing a tranny rebuild is in my future. From what I've read, the ribbed case trans has syncro rings and gears that can be replaced without having to rebuild everything. Is that correct?

Any ideas on how to approach this? Other things I should check first?

[bmcecosse]

Sounds quite desperate - but just possible the clutch isn't clearing enough ? Have you checked if there is any oil in the box ? Does it slide into second when sitting with the engine switched off ? You will need at least a new second gear - possibly also a new synchroniser hub and of course syncro rings,bearings, lay shaft and bearings and so on. In this country it's usually possible to just pick up another gearbox quite cheaply - but I see that may not be quite so easy for you....... Possibly worth taking the side plate off and having a look inside.
Should look like this - with nice sharp 'dog teeth' on the 3 gears in view - 2nd/3rd/4th from left to right. 1st gear is hidden under the 1st/2nd selector - so can't be inspected - although low on the left you can just see the condition of the matching straight cut 1st gear on the laygear. This is often the most badly worn/chipped part in the gearbox - and requires a new laygear if it is unserviceable.[frame][/frame]

[mike.perry]

Roy, does the 1098 box fit straight onto the 948 engine and if so which clutch would you use. Could this be a problem with the clutch not clearing correctly through using the wrong unit?

[bmcecosse]

Ideally - I would want use the 1098 backplate and flywheel/clutch with a 1098 box. But I'm assuming this was at least working before -and it's just 'deteriorated' with use.........

[MarkyB]

Good plan to take the side cover off and make sure the selectors (brass bits) are firmly attached to the rods.

Have a look inside the box while someone in the car selects the gears.

The fact that once in second it didn't pop out is quite hopeful, if second was only half engaging there is every chance it would pop out again.

[gatsby989]

Thanks for the great info, and pics, guys!

I don't know which clutch it has. Can a 1098 clutch be fitted directly to a 948 engine? If the clutch is not clearing enough, what is the solution?

The seller told me her husband and son installed the new ribbed case transmission, and things worked for a little while after that, but as you said, deteriorated to the point where she said it wouldn't go into second, or would pop out. (When we drove it the other day, we didn't have it in second for very long, so it might have popped given more time.)

Assuming it has the old 948 clutch, is a 1098 clutch necessary to operate correctly and prevent future damage to the gearbox?

[mike.perry]

If you look through the inspection hole in the geabox clutch housing on the opposite side to the clutch lever, you should be able to see which clutch you have. A 948 will be about one inch deep and a 1098 will be about 2.5 inches deep. I would have thought that the 1098 clutch unit would be more suited although I am not saying that is definately the cause of the 2nd gear problem

[bmcecosse]

If it worked at first - then the problem is now unlikely to be caused by the clutch. But do check it's adjusted correctly - should be ~ 1 inch free play - no more and no less.