AlexAndEddie Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Hello all. Driving my '76 Spitfire 1500 last weekend and after 20 years of ownership, the (o/d) gearbox starts playing up for the first time. Goes into gear ok (all gears) but sticks in 3/2/1... I have to really yank on the lever to get it out of gear, especially in 3rd.. any ideas? I am thinking that i'm going to have to fetch the box out to take a look and, well probably a recon box is the only sensible option (?). I think that it may be time to do that bottom-end engine rebuild at the same time... (yes, it really needs it!) Any thoughts on expected costs for an engine-gearbox transplant? any recommendations for reputable suppliers? All thoughts gratefully received. Regards, Alex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 If you select gears on the drive, what happens if you engage disengage with the engine off., but sticks with it running Then its a clutch problem. Being a 76 1500 this is single rail gearbox? Have you lubricated the gear stick ball and socket ?? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham C Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 I had my Spit 1500 gearbox and OD rebuilt by Mike Papworth a few years ago and cost me £800 from memory. If you need a new clutch I have a spare Borg and Berg one for sale. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlubikey Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Don't rush into having a new gearbox. Unless you go to the top people (Mike Papworth, etc.) then you may end up with something worse! Sticking in those gears - in addition to Pete's advice, does it do this all the time or only when hot? I'm guessing your engine is a bit rattly, right, and you're thinking new bearings? This can be done in situ if the gearbox doesn't need to come out. What I'm saying is, diagnose the problems rather than assuming a new gearbox/engine will solve things - they may bring a raft of new problems instead! Been there - got the T-shirt. Cheers, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 1 hour ago, rlubikey said: Don't rush into having a new gearbox. Unless you go to the top people (Mike Papworth, etc.) then you may end up with something worse! Last time I enquired about having a 1200 gearbox rebuilt I was told that many of the components are now unavailable and the only option is to reuse the customer's own components whilst replacing the bits that are available. I decided against it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 if the gearbox is iffy you can tootle the box up to sunny luton and we can decide what needs doing over a cuppa for prices bear in mind exhange or recondidtion means just that, td fichetts quote £450 for all spit gearboxes Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexAndEddie Posted May 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Hi all. Thanks for the replies. it sticks all the time hot or cold But sat here in the driveway with the engine stopped it seems to be able to go into all the four gears and out again without any trouble irrespective of whether the clutch is in or out. Also it goes in and out of reverse with the engine running no problem at all is this still pointing to a clutch problem or gearbox do you think ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 As this is the first time it has played up it is almost certainly not the main gearbox, but bits attached to it. A second opinion is a good idea before you do anything costly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 I would start buy pop the gearstick out and grease the spherical ball and inspect it for wear or cracks Do the simple cheap first If you can engage ok with engine off but not if idleing that suggests clutch but with no grating of teeth getting reverse say not. Do the easy first. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexAndEddie Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Hi all. Thanks for the replies. Taking your advice I have withdrawn the gearstick clean things up a bit and think I may have found the problem Looking at the attached picture of the pin on the right hand side May have come loose and prevented the gearstick from locating properly could this be the problem? You’ll see that it can fairly easily be fully removed and that there is some significant wear in the slot on the ball joint of the gearstick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlubikey Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 I think you may have it! If it was fairly easy to remove the question is, will it go back tight and stay in place? If not, some clever Heath Robinson may be required, or failing that a new gearbox extension. Cheers, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 something like a loctite 641 bearing fit will hold that in place Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iana Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Pete just noticed your suggesting greasing the gear lever ball, is this the black plastic bush on the vitesse (if so what do you recommend as I could find any reference to grease or oil etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 yes the ball (pivot bush spherical thingy) any general grease is fine grease the top cups and .....................anything that moves needs lube .... Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexAndEddie Posted May 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 All greased and reassembled but problem persisting. I did notice that when it stuck in third, the only way to get it back out again was to release the clutch (thereby stalling the engine) then disengaging g third gear, restart engine , apologise to traffic queue behind me and limp home. Will strip down again tomorrow and take a look to see if the pin has moved again but am wondering if the wear in the slot on the ball joint is the real problem ( see pic above) ... I assume that this should be nice and straight. Also took the opportunity to replace the gearbox oil at the same time and as expected it was nice and clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 this could be the joys of the crap single rail selector spooling are you sure the clutch is clearing fully ??? can you select gears ok engine off.......... but they lock with engine idleing ??? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexAndEddie Posted May 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Hi all. So I disassembled the Gearstick again and refitted the pin ( which had previously worked loose ) with some bearing fit And took it out for another test drive. With the engine off I can select and disengage from all four gears ... Same with the engine idling on the driveway. For the first few minutes of our run it seem to be going in and out of gears without too much problem But after five minutes of going up and down the box it will not disengage from third gear and I have trouble getting it into second gear. Could this be the clutch I am really not sure there is certainly no sign of it slipping but I don’t know how to check whether it is adjusted properly or even whether it is possible to adjust this clutch. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 A clutch thats not disengaging fully is certainly something which could produce symptoms like yours although I would expect it to give problems in all gears especially 1st when stationary. Theyre not adjustable but obviously you should check the clutch reservoir fluid level if you havent already done that and also try pumping the clutch pedal a few times quickly before selecting or disengaging a gear. Its possible you have a seal in the system thats not doing its job properly (getting worse with use/temperature) and by pumping you can temporarily get sufficient pressure for the clutch to separate enough to allow the gear change. Let us know if this works and if not we'll have a think as to what else it could be..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 yes agreed we have an echo on that. any drag will lock a gear from engaging /disengaging this is a dreaded single rail the selector spool is a work of the devil , Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 On 28/05/2019 at 17:18, iana said: Pete just noticed your suggesting greasing the gear lever ball, is this the black plastic bush on the vitesse (if so what do you recommend as I could find any reference to grease or oil etc) If you are talking about the nylon ball that sits in the gearchange extension of the three rail gearbox personally I would never grease it as grease plus grit can wear the aluminium socket. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 after 50 years of gear changes it a bit late to worry now , whilst plastic and alloy cant seize together a dosh of lube keeps things sweet, old addage .......... if it moves oil it the modern plastic replacements are pretty inferior to the originals, if you find a NOS metal one get it, you may induce gear lever sizzle but it wont break up metal was 120570 cant see any anywhere plastic was 138685 generally available in all the remote kits Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexAndEddie Posted May 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Right... so I’m overhauling the clutch hydraulics next but really think that the worn slot in the gear lever ball isn’t helping... anyone know if I can replace this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 The gear levers seem to be hard to come by but do come up on ebay from time to time but obviously arent cheap. Why not try some experimenting with the clutch before replacing everything. You can also check under the master cylinder rubber covers for a leak and then carefully watch the level in the reservoir while an assistant presses the pedal (if it increases at all then the mc has a problem)..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 Think I have one , will look after ive caught the moggy and quick visit to the vet this morning Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 i have a overdrive version , there is small wear to the slot nothing like yours exhibits theres non od on on ebay at £15 just now. i would not have thought that level of wear that yours shows would lock gears think you need to examine further Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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