For those who have been following my troubles with a Mk3 gearbox top that
wouldn't mate correctly with my Mk2 gearbox, effectively locking up first
and reverse whenever I tried to use first, Joe Curry gets the prize for
solving this most perplexing mystery.
While most of you won't have occasion to replace or swap your gearbox cover
independently of your entire gearbox, here's something that the rest should
know:
The covers for full synchro versus non synchro gearboxes are subtley
different. The most important difference is that the notch position of the
reverse actuator on the third rail in the cover is pushed forward 1/4",
which tucks the larger reverse gear that's used in the earlier non-synchro
Spitfire boxes back farther into the corner -- and out of the way of first
gear.
This difference is NOT noted in any of my parts catalogs, but here's a
telltale "marker" to look for to differentiate an earlier Mk3 non synchro
gearbox cover from a later MkIV full-synchro box: The full synchro box has a
spacer washer on the reverse rail, whereas the earlier non-synchro Spitfire
reverse rails do not. That, and the difference in the notch position on the
reverse actuator.
THANKS TO ALL THE GREAT MINDS ON THIS LIST WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY TO GET ME
THROUGH THIS!!!!! The "correct" Mk3 top is on the way to me now and by the
end of the week, I should be able to get out of "park" and back into first
gear!
CHEERS!
Jeff in San Diego
'67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
|