Tuscan Gearbox probs
Tuscan Gearbox probs
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Discussion

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Sunday 26th July 2009
quotequote all
Hi all.

My gearbox on my Tuscan is causing me many problems at the moment. It's very hard work to get into gear, mainly working across the box. I'm guessing it needs a rebuild of sorts.
Its a 4 speed with overdrive.
I'd like to keep the 4 speed if possible to keep it original... What should I do??
I see Obi went for a T5 - is that not hugely costly?

Many thanks in advance
Tim

THREEFISHORANGE

574 posts

237 months

Sunday 26th July 2009
quotequote all
With the engine running, when you try to put it into any gear does it jerk forward slightly?
Have you checked to see if the clutch is working as it should?
Has it got a fluid leak on the master cylinder or slave(presuming its fluid operated).Causing the clutch not to engage properly?Or it may need bleeding.
Clutch may be knackered?
Hope this helps.

Slow M

2,834 posts

222 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
I agree, if the problem is recent and affecting all gears, it is most likely your clutch system.
B

heightswitch

6,322 posts

266 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
Slow M said:
I agree, if the problem is recent and affecting all gears, it is most likely your clutch system.
B
is it a hydraulic or cable clutch Tim and if the former have you checked the level in your girling fluid resevoir?

N.

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
Hi Chaps,

Thanks for the response. I've only just bought the car and its up at the garage so will pop up there later if I get time to answer some of the questions.

When I drove it back about 80 miles after picking it up, it seemed to have clutch slip (excessive) but no problem with the gears at all. I've since had a new propshaft fitted to it (old one was very poor). However, following that, the clutch slip no long happens at all, but I can't get it in gear alot of the time. Maybe its the clutch not operation properly but to be honest, the gearstick seems to have alot of play in it. If I'm in 1st it will go into 2nd (and the other way) but as soon as I go across the box, it then wont be able to get back intop 2nd or 1st. Also, it didn't seem to go from 3rd to 4th yesterday - Its a bit of a nightmare!

nwarner

612 posts

276 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
If the gearbox is the same as the overdrive box on the Reliant Scimitar (which I think it is) the problem could well be the gearlever linkage bushes.


TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure the problem is in the linkage, worth investigating

Obiwonkeyblokey

5,400 posts

256 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
Hi Tim

I did have a T5 fitted after the OD box went bang. Dulfords did it and they had to do some work tothe bellhousing to get it to fit. It was brilliant when completed though. give them a call and speak to Richard.

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Monday 27th July 2009
quotequote all
Ok so I've just been out through town in it for about 30mins. If kept in 1st and 2nd (which I did most of the time) it is fine. The clutch feels fine. But as soon as I go across to 3rd it wont come back with out fishing around the box for a while.
Clutch is hydraulic but looking at it, fluid is topped up, no visable leaks, and as I say, it didn't slip, not too heavy either.
Thanks Owen - I may well do that although as I said above I would like to stick with retro overdrive if possible.

Edited by TimmyArt on Monday 27th July 17:57

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
nwarner said:
If the gearbox is the same as the overdrive box on the Reliant Scimitar (which I think it is) the problem could well be the gearlever linkage bushes.
Do you know if one can get to the linkage on the Tuscan without taking the box out??!? I think this could be the problem...

nwarner

612 posts

276 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
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I don't know I'm afraid as my Vixen has the 2000E 3 rail box. You'll have to get underneath and have a look. I would think that access would be quite tight though.

Electron

605 posts

235 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
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Tim,

I think you may have the same gearbox as Gilbern Genie/Invaders. The Gilbern Owners Club do an uprated bush kit to improve gear selection. The little plastic bushes all wear out - inexpensive but fiddly job to change.

There is also a couple of articles on fixing gear selection.. let me see if I can find them.

Chris


TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
Electron said:
Tim,

I think you may have the same gearbox as Gilbern Genie/Invaders. The Gilbern Owners Club do an uprated bush kit to improve gear selection. The little plastic bushes all wear out - inexpensive but fiddly job to change.

There is also a couple of articles on fixing gear selection.. let me see if I can find them.

Chris
Thanks Chris - that sounds really useful. I'm sure it would be the same box as it's the same engine, same period.

ATE399J

732 posts

253 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
Hi Tim,

Just to determine exactly which 'box you have, is the overdrive inhibitor switch at the top/front of the 'box just behind the bell-housing? If so then it's the same as mine (Zodiac Mk4). I recently bought a set of replacement bushes and (when I can find it) I'll post you the address of the where I got it (I did try our beloved TVR guys first!). It cost me about £30.

I also have a Zodiac owners manual that explains how to set up the sprung rod to the right of the selection mechanism on top of the 'box - it made quite a difference to the selection of reverse if not the other gears.

It is possible to change the bushes with the 'box in the car provided you can get some "elbow room" from underneath - and the exhaust isn't in the way.

If you'd like a copy of the manual e-mail me and I'll scan it in for you.

Good luck,

Phil.

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
Thanks Phil, I'll go and take a look at that later if possible.

Electron

605 posts

235 months

Tuesday 28th July 2009
quotequote all
Tim,

Did a quick trawl - Phils commentary matches the Gilbern "stuff" - the other failure was a cracked clutch release arm ...

Chris

haighy

103 posts

203 months

Saturday 1st August 2009
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i have a superb spare gear box and overdrive that i took out of my tuscan last year when i converted it to v8 power and 5 speed .

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Monday 3rd August 2009
quotequote all
haighy said:
i have a superb spare gear box and overdrive that i took out of my tuscan last year when i converted it to v8 power and 5 speed .
Thanks Philip. I'm hoping it won't come to that but if it does, I'll travel your way.

TimmyArt

Original Poster:

1,425 posts

234 months

Tuesday 4th August 2009
quotequote all
ATE399J said:
Hi Tim,

Just to determine exactly which 'box you have, is the overdrive inhibitor switch at the top/front of the 'box just behind the bell-housing? If so then it's the same as mine (Zodiac Mk4). I recently bought a set of replacement bushes and (when I can find it) I'll post you the address of the where I got it (I did try our beloved TVR guys first!). It cost me about £30.

I also have a Zodiac owners manual that explains how to set up the sprung rod to the right of the selection mechanism on top of the 'box - it made quite a difference to the selection of reverse if not the other gears.

It is possible to change the bushes with the 'box in the car provided you can get some "elbow room" from underneath - and the exhaust isn't in the way.

If you'd like a copy of the manual e-mail me and I'll scan it in for you.

Good luck,

Phil.
]

Hi Phil.

I do have a Zodiac Mk4 gearbox. Could you email me the details of where you got your bushes plus any tips/manual advice.

Many thanks,

Tim

ATE399J

732 posts

253 months

Friday 7th August 2009
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Bush kit came from Queensberry Road Garage, 01536 513351, cost me £38.44 inc. VAT and P&P.

Phil