Kirsty, my experience is solely with a early trans but here goes. The front
bearing will definitely account for trouble with 4th gear, reason is that
the synchro hub that shifts 3rd and 4th gear also rests at the point where
the input shaft (to the clutch) and the tail shaft meet and essentially
holds them together. Any play in either shaft will cause difficulty in the
hubs operation. There is also a needle roller bearing inside the tailshaft
where the input shaft connects which should be checked ( replaced). Also
check a service manual for any thrust washers, these will keep things
correctly spaced and in line - all important for easy shifting. As far as
second goes it may just be a worn synchro, and if your going to tear this
thing apart you might as well change all of the synchros if you plan on
keeping the car. It will add some cost but you don't want to have to change
them later.
Anyone with more experience on 1500 gearboxes please let me know if any of
this sounds incorrect. Good luck!
Dan Walters
'63 sprite
Brick, NJ
----- Original Message -----
From Kirsty <kirsty at gmx.co.uk>
To: Spridgets List <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 5:56 PM
Subject: 4th gear tricky
> This message didn't make it to the list the first time so it's a bit old,
> but I'm trying again...
>
> Well, finally Dad took the engine to someone with an impact wrench and we
> got the crankshaft pulley nut off. I got the crankshaft out on Sunday
and
> found an engine shop that claims to have recently worked on anther midget
> so we're headed in the right direction.
>
> Unfortunately, now I have to start working on cleaning up the rust spots
> etc in the engine compartment and cleaning the rest of the car - working
> on the actual engine is a lot more fun...
>
> A question though about the gearbox. The car was fine into first, second
> and pretty smooth into 3rd but could be really tricky into 4th. Also had
> to double clutch to downshift to second. Can't really "see" too much
> obviously wrong in the gearbox, but the bearing at the front is definitely
> worn and there's a lot of play - could this alone account for the
> difficulty shifting or do we need to look further? It would be kind of
> tough to put everything back together and then find out we still had a
> problem!!
>
> Any advice/insight is as always appreciated!
> Kirsty
> 78 Midget
> Tampa
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