Jonah Posted February 22, 2023 Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 Evening all I’m planning to remove the gearbox from my Mk3 Spitfire to deal with a crunch into second gear. I’m planning to remove it from within the car, is it best to remove the seats? The car has overdrive fitted and I was wondering what other rebuilding I should do while the gearbox and overdrive are on the bench, also where I should go for parts. Also unless I get the positioning right when I change from second to third there is a horrible crunching noise, so selecting the right position is crucial to achieve smooth selection maybe that’s how it should be hope this makes sense, any advice would be great Best Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 22, 2023 Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 you need to make up a dummy layshaft spindle to allow the cluster to drop without loosing all the needle rollers gear shift crunch is often down to the baulk ring is worn out and also do a remote shift kit as worn bushes will misplace the selelction . if you are stirring a pudding suggest canley for most parts attach a explaination of how synchro works Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 Thanks Pete, how do I makeup a layshaft spindle? Do I need a used one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted February 22, 2023 Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 Old layshaft cut down to just fit inside the box so it can drop down. But a piece of wooden dowel will do. I think it's about 18mm. Danny 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 If it’s an original Mk3 gearbox it will have bushings in the lay shaft and not needle rollers! Pete’s comment there only applies if you have synchro on first gear Jonah. Before you start I would recommend this series of videos so you can actually see what goes where rather than having to decipher some of the less than clear WSM instructions. If the overdrive is operating fine I’d probably just leave it alone. While you have the box out though I’d consider changing the clutch, definitely budget for one in case it’s completely worn out already. Oh and you should be able to do it with the seats in place, just take the bases out. But remember the gearbox is going to be pretty filthy, and is heavy, so make sure to protect the interior trim you don’t remove well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Thanks Josef that’s really helpful the only issue with the overdrive is that it seems to have to wake up and sometimes it can take ages before the overdrive kicks in. the solenoid is new and has been adjusted is there anything I should do to it while it’s out? Best Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Thanks Danny I’ll be prepared now if it has the needle rollers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 11 minutes ago, Jonah said: the only issue with the overdrive is that it seems to have to wake up and sometimes it can take ages before the overdrive kicks in. That tends to happen if the gearbox oil is old, or the filter in the OD unit is clogged. It's worth giving that a good clean while it's out of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 depends how old you are but seats out and even steering wheel off greatly affect the ease of access needle rollers were in use my 64 3 sync Vit6 had them and also shown in the parts listing maybe 4 cyl stuck with bushes but all the boxes i have rebuilt all had needle rollers agree use any thing for the dummy shaft even a lenght of hose can work in the end its not really need to strip but definitley needed to rebuild thick grease wont work to hold them just count 25 in each end OD worth removing the cap screw on the top insde is a ball spring and a needle this has a very small hole in the needle it can get clogged a clean and replace may wake it up , do take care you dont loose any small bits wha=en the cap comes off its this needle that the sol lever operates and is life and sol of the operation Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Thanks Pete, anything to help a 67 year old with a bad back is heaven sent! best Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 that comes from a 77yr old with a back that should belong to someone else then add diabetes and poor plumbing , brain fog, fading incentive and happy new year always do the easy and cheap checks first before you re invent the wheel its knowing what to check is the dying art not a dark art Ha !! i did check and seems 4 cyl 3 snyc have bushes 6cly has needles so you dont ned a dummy shaft other than something to keep the thrusts in place ( you can look thro the hole and prod them into place if the shift ) getting the circlip off the mainshaft is often a chop it job always buy a few spares as they stretch and must never be reused even if only fitted once and removed ..dont do it Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 if you can post a photo with top cover off of the hub /baulk ring/ gear we can advise more about synchro and wear Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Thanks Pete I feel your pain! the advice I’ve had here has set me in the right path I bought the car in 2012 from a body shop manager in a main car dealership, he told me that the gearbox and overdrive was good as I didn’t get chance to drive it before parting with cash, so when I got the body off and began restoring I left the gearbox alone apart from changing an oil seal. Sadly my trust in the previous owners claims disappeared quickly, including ‘there’s no filler’ anywhere. He or someone prior to him was a genius with filler everywhere and an expert in stuffing a bin liner fill of concrete into the near side sill for rigidity! you live and learn I will send some pics when I get it on the bench Best Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 as my dad always said they have more reasons to sell it than you have to buy it thinkwe have been there at sometime of life Ha i suppose that was amodern way of filling before bin liners it was cornflake packets and chicken wire Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Heres the proper way to do it (think its real)... Oh!!my god!! This guy is using bricks to repair the car - Bing video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Johny I recognise him from when he was the body shop manager who sold a Spitfire to a gullible enthusiast looks like he’s still practicing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 Actually that extra weight could be pretty handy in our cars so he might have the right idea😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 I had a Ford Thames 5Cwt van with Seasoned Oak Rear Chassis sections?. Cut from a Trawl Door Board on a Bandsaw!. Traded it before the "10 year test" came up. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 I guess we’re reflecting on an era when vehicles had to be fixed quickly at the side of the road for work the next day when ‘needs must’ drove innovation and imagination using what was available and at hand at the time (personal memories here of keeping my first old banger on the road, a Cooper S, in 1976) I remember my grandad putting a wooden floor repair into my dads Ford popular in the early 60’s In restoring my Spitfire I have seen much evidence of innovative and unauthordox fixes done by people with considerable skills and imagination the old days eh! julian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 24, 2023 Report Share Posted February 24, 2023 I think it was and still is bodging! Thats to say using an easier 'repair' because the correct one needs skill and/or equipment thats not available or more expensive🤪 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 On 23/02/2023 at 13:42, Jonah said: Thanks Pete I feel your pain! the advice I’ve had here has set me in the right path I bought the car in 2012 from a body shop manager in a main car dealership, he told me that the gearbox and overdrive was good as I didn’t get chance to drive it before parting with cash, so when I got the body off and began restoring I left the gearbox alone apart from changing an oil seal. Sadly my trust in the previous owners claims disappeared quickly, including ‘there’s no filler’ anywhere. He or someone prior to him was a genius with filler everywhere and an expert in stuffing a bin liner fill of concrete into the near side sill for rigidity! you live and learn I will send some pics when I get it on the bench Best Julian I had a similar mess of a Spitfire, my rule is now to ignore anything the seller might say! In my case I’m convinced the previous owner was entirely ignorant of the horrific bodgery, but the quality of some of the visible work (the rats nest of mostly blue wiring for example) should’ve told me the real story… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 I agree Josef My experience was like when we’ve bought houses based on appearance and the superficial stuff only to find generations of Barney Bodger had been there before me! one mistake I made was to buy a non driveable Spitfire, and having restored it I don’t know what a good one should drive and feel like to be able to make a comparison all part of life’s rich tapestry…….maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 31 minutes ago, Jonah said: I don’t know what a good one should drive and feel like should be brisk snappy stable and fun no hic ups bunny hops or diving in the hedge when you brake yes its an old generation drive but well suited to give many a good run for the money , probably not the best car for motorway use as you can get lost being small by modern cars and giant trucks pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted March 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2023 I’ve attached a couple of photos that perhaps someone could take a look at please the first shows the gearbox output shaft with a small ‘sleeve’ that fell off when I separated the overdrive. The edges of the sleeve feel damaged which light be ok, but I can’t find any reference to it in the WM the second pic is of the gearbox with the top off before I dismantle to address the synchro problem I’ve ordered a gearbox rebuild kit from Canley’s along with a remote gear change kit and a gasket and oil seal set for the overdrive which was leaking at the output end should I use any sealant with the paper gaskets to reassemble thanks for your help Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 3, 2023 Report Share Posted March 3, 2023 thats the tail spigot bush it should be a light tight fit in the anulus assy the flat spring circlip is an improtant anti chater device you have photo'd with 2nd engaged so we cant see the baulk ring wear make sure if you take the pump cam /circlip off you catch and keep safe the small woodruff drive key and dont forget to refit it ...on rebuild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now