Morris Minor Owners Club

Changing from second to third, one has to make a deliberate movement across the gate to avoid trying to inadvertently engage first. (In my car anyway) I do a lot of miles in the company express and occasionally (like tonight) after 300 miles in the company car, I took the minor on an evening drive and forgot the deliberate across the gate movement with the dreadful crunch that accompanies such an action.


I'm going to have the engine and box out fairly soon so was just wondering if this is normal or not?
Al

I have to be extremely careful when changing up or down in my Series II.
There is a lot of movement in the long spindly gearstick and it is very easy to hit first instead of third unless I am very deliberate in placing the lever through the gate.
I have had a number of embarrassing crunches when changing up from second to third and down from top to third and hitting first so don't feel bad - you're not alone!

Many thanks for your response, it's appreciated, good to know I'm not alone.

I posted on the other side as well and yours is the only response out of all that read the question here and there.

Clearly a lot of minors are automatics as I can't imagine minor enthusiasts would read and ignore such a simple request for info on their cars
Al

hi my series 2 is the same , i have hit first a few times normally when someone is watching

martin418 wrote:hi my series 2 is the same , i have hit first a few times normally when someone is watching

Chortle, that's exactly what happened last night
A young couple were turning and watching as I passed and Cccrrruuuunnnncccchhhhh

Probably thought, look at that idiot in that old banger, can't even drive it

Thanks
Al

My significant other half suffers from this problem, I have been known to suffer from it too

There is no synchro on 1st or reverse and it should be treated as a luxury on the other gears. There is also no spring to guide the lever into the 3rd/4th plane. The gear knob should be cupped in the open palm of the hand and guided into the correct gear. Engaging 1st or reverse from stationary without crunching can be a problem and it is often easier to select 2nd or 3rd before 1st/rev. Double declutching helps to achieve smooth changes

mike.perry wrote:There is no synchro on 1st or reverse and it should be treated as a luxury on the other gears. There is also no spring to guide the lever into the 3rd/4th plane. The gear knob should be cupped in the open palm of the hand and guided into the correct gear. Engaging 1st or reverse from stationary without crunching can be a problem and it is often easier to select 2nd or 3rd before 1st/rev. Double declutching helps to achieve smooth changes

Just was I looking for thanks
I'm aware of the lack,of synchro and normally do guide it gently but yesterday after 300 miles in the modern I forgot just the once.

What I was after was the spring info to guide into 3 and 4 "plane" to establish if mine was needing attention.
Now I know mine is perfectly normal and has no such spring, it's just the driver that's the issue. I don't do it normally you understand as I'm aware I have to steer it in. First and reverse are always selected at a complete stop and yes, I get the odd crunch into either, will use the method you describe and note the changes.

Many thanks all
Al

There is also a detent spring at the base of the gear lever to prevent accidental selection of reverse on the move (messy)

mike.perry wrote:There is also a detent spring at the base of the gear lever to prevent accidental selection of reverse on the move (messy)

Blimey, I can imagine the mess
Thankfully, my decent spring is present and springy
Thanks for info.
Al

It should slide seamlessly and quickly across from 2nd to 3rd - certainly did on my old Trav (and hopefully still does) - there must be something amiss - I would remove the lever and check the linkage/plastic cup/O ring/spring are all present and correct. Syncro shouldn't be an issue on the upshift - unless you are revving the engine as you shift? I've never heard of double-clutching on an upshift...

bmcecosse wrote:It should slide seamlessly and quickly across from 2nd to 3rd - certainly did on my old Trav (and hopefully still does) - there must be something amiss - I would remove the lever and check the linkage/plastic cup/O ring/spring are all present and correct. Syncro shouldn't be an issue on the upshift - unless you are revving the engine as you shift? I've never heard of double-clutching on an upshift...

Hi Roy
it was just the across the gate thing from second to third, if I steer it across, it's as slick as a 70s ford. If I apply only forward pressure, it will try and re engage first which seems to be the norm from other replies.

I'll have a go in your old trav which , incidentally is a feature of the otley Classic extravaganza this coming weekend and will be admired by thousands., and I shall compare the experience. Your trav also took part in the Bradford to morcambe classic run last weekend so yes, it's going a treat.
Deffo no revving on change my chum, I always drive it like its an unexploded bomb. Very carefully.
Al

I don't suppose it's a 'racing change' - but gentle pressure should steer it across without hitting 1st - and without pushing it too far into reverse. Glad to hear the Trav is going ok - any pictures ??

We are all rather spoilt with modern cars and their slick positive action gearboxes.
It was a bit of a shock tackling the Minor's gear change after an all synchro box.
The best method I have found is to change up and down slowly and deliberately and if unsure which gear you're in move into neutral and try again, stopping completely if necessary.
You'll get a few amused looks but your gearbox will last longer!

The synchro on a 1098 box is great (especially compared to the prvious boxes) and won't be 'beaten' with normal gear chnging. The issue is not moving the lever accross the plane from second to third, thus accidentally hitting the unsynchronised first geat and making a racket (and removing teeth from the laygear and first gear ). There never was a spring - there has been reference to old Ford four speed boxes, but these don't have a spring between the 'planes' either - I thnik this has become commonplace where there are more than 2 planes, such as on a 5 speed 'box, where it becomes necessary. It's easy enough to make this mistake when not used to the car, but you ought to get used to it Rest assured they're all like it - I don't think three's anything wrong with your gearbox. Funnily enough, it's easier to 'clip' first gear in my 1098 traveller (and all the other 1098 cars I've owned) than in my old SII or my 948 saloon - I think it's to do with the way the selectors are set up. You'll just have to get used to it, I'm afraid!

BTW, my father-in-law did the Bradford to Morecambe run last week - you might have seen his pale blue Series 2 Humber Super Snipe. It likely used a little more fuel than your Traveller!!!

bmcecosse wrote: I've never heard of double-clutching on an upshift...

You do it on crash boxes ;) I still do it in the modern occasionally

Back in the day with these boxes you were taught to palm the lever. It took three actions to change from one gear to another, push or pull out of gear palm over to the next gate then push or pull into the next gear. By using the palm method you cannot go wrong. Old driving habits die hard

No need to 'double de clutch' on upshifts - no matter what box - the revs will drop anyway! You certainly don't want to boost the revs ! Double de clutching on downshifts is so that you can lift the engine (and mainshaft) revs to match the lower gearing of the lower gear....

Both of mine have Ford 5 speed boxes. Highly recommended, no double declutching and smooth as silk. Depends on how you feel about originality and what you want to spend. You do finish up with a car that is totally practical for modern driving...and nobody knows that you've cheated when they look through the window.

I have to double de-clutch on my tourer going from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 3rd, if not it crunches and won't go in!