Help with the 280i 4 speed

[txcoyote]

I am in the process of pulling the motor and gearbox on my 280i to be replaced with a 3.5 Rover but cannot seem to get the shifter off the top of the transmission. I took out the three bolts and it is loose but something seems to be catching. Can anyone lend an idea?

[york33]

Now my memory is hazy on this as it's been a while, but doesn't it unscrew? The round bit on the top of the box which the shifter passes through.......

cheers
Dave

[danny hoffman]

I thought it had some metal lugs that hold a nylon ball from unscrewing. You need to bend these up and then you can undo the ball

[grady]

Yes, the cup shaped metal dome unscrews, mine was pretty stiff and I had to cut a couple of notches in the lip and then tap it with a hammer and screwdriver. My recollection is I had to put the bolts back in place the hold everything in place while I tapped the dome off. Grady

[txcoyote]

Thanks Grady, that describes my problem accurately. It'll be off to the garage after dinner to get it done.

[grady]

And beware of the plastic socket "bushing" under the dome, they can be brittle and crumble into the transmission ... where I doubt they would do much harm, but still.... Grady

[adam quantrill]

Somehow I don't think he'll be using that gearbox again!

Let us all know how the 350 implant progresses, how much you have to hack the chassis to make it fit etc...

Then when it's all done, and you're used to the power, let us know how you shoulda put in a 5 litre ;^)

[grady]

Well, he is selling me the car bit by bit via eBay. Never know who he'll sell the transmission to.

[txcoyote]

Grady,

The trans will be for sale soon if you are interested? Shouldn't be any hacking to put the Rover in. I have the factory mounts. The only items I have to fab is the trans mount plus the driveshaft. D&D Fab in Michigan makes a kit to install the T-5 5 speed from a V8 Camaro so I am good to go there.

Edited by txcoyote on Tuesday 30th January 19:04

[micha]

hi,

i always thought the rover engine doesnt fit inside a 280 chassis without any mods. why TVR widened the chassis than?

regards, m

[grady]

I thought so too but Steve says the later wedges are all the same width - wide enough for a V-8... I'm waiting to see how the Coyote runs!

And Russ, Thanks, but I'll pass on the 4 speed. If I do anything it would be (after a long anticipated new top and a/c) a 5 speed.

But I've got my finger crossed on the V-8 too.... take lots of pictures.

[txcoyote]

micha said:

hi,

i always thought the rover engine doesnt fit inside a 280 chassis without any mods. why TVR widened the chassis than?

regards, m

As Grady said, I believe that the frame was the same on all the later cars. I am pulling the V6 this weekend but I won't have the Rover back for a few weeks yet.

[adam quantrill]

You might find that a couple of the bracing tubes near the front get in the way - they go down to the box section where the steering rack is. On the V8 chassis the tube on the RHS is bent into an inverted 'l' shape (or that would be the shape if this font was any good!).

You might need to make alterations in this area - or if you're lucky, maybe not.

[jchase]

Well, if your car is a 1987 280i , chances are it has the later V8 chassis. The way to tell is the V8 chassis cars had the radiator in the nose, and the early V6 cars had the radiator in the engine bay, on some extra bits of tube. How about a nice picture on your profile of the car?

-Jim

[txcoyote]

I have an 87. There will be no clearance issues as best as I can tell. The Rad is in the Nose and there are no tubes in the way. Should be a bolt in. If I could figure out how to post a pic I would. I will post a pic on the Brit car Forum that I frequent though [url] www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/225430/page/1#Post225430 [/url]

[adam quantrill]

You can see it if you squint:

[micha]

i checked today steve heaths maintanance book:

TVR changed the chassis "only" for the reason that the rover V8 fits easier and is more accesable.


this means vice-versa that even in a V6 chassis should fit a rover..tight, but alright!!!