Replacing the tranny cover is probably a good idea, as the original one is
cardboard, and may well be cracked and/or broken. However, it may be worth
taking a good look at the old one before you commit to a replacement.
To take a decent look at it, you first need to remove the 'dash support'
panel (the bit where the radio goes) - two bolts at the top hold it to the
dash, two bolts on each side at the bottom hold it to the floor. If you've
got a radio you'll have to take that out first! You probably don't need to
remove the entire gearlever, just the knob - on a non-O/D car this just
screws off, on a later O/D car (with the switch in the knob) you need to
remove the top of the knob (the bit with the switch in), screw the chrome
collar below the knob clockwise a bit (to move it down), then you can remove
the nut that's inside the knob, before lifting the knob off and then
unscrewing the chrome collar. You should then be able to remove the whole
carpet section over the tranny cover (but it's possible, if your car is RHD,
that you'll need to remove the foot rest next to the clutch). You can then
see all the tranny cover, and can see if it needs replacing!
The tranny cover seals with a long flat strip of rubber which is just
trapped under the flange. It may well be a good idea to use some sort of
sealant between the seal and the cover and/or car body, but I never tried
this so I don't know what to advise.
For insulation on the underside of the tranny cover, you may be able to
re-use the insulation from the old one. There have been several discussions
on the subject here, and a popular suggestion was a sort of bubble wrap
material with foil on one side, which you can get from a DIY superstore.
There was even a suggestion of using a sort of foam that comes in an aerosol
and then hardens, and can then be carved to make sure it still fits over the
tranny.
If you do choose to replace the cover, you should still be able to use the
old carpet piece, unless it's too knackered for re-use. I don't know for
sure where you can get just the tranny carpet, but you could ask Newton
Commercial www.newtoncomm.co.uk as they make the carpets that many other
dealers supply.
I would also suggest taking a good look at the bulkhead (firewall), as there
are several holes in this to let speedo cables, choke cables etc. through.
There should be grommets to seal these holes, but they are very likely
knackered if they haven't been replaced recently.
Finally, IT'S FEBRUARY!!!! I'd be grateful for any heat I could get!!!!
But I do live in Scotland...
Richard
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