Gearbox advice pls.

[scruff400]

[sensible Scruff]
The saga continues - dropped my clutch out expecting a shattered mass of springs and powder but it's in one piece!! It's pretty worn though, nearly down to the rivets, so worth replacing with the single plate competition thingy I've already forked out for. However the pisser is that after dropping the gearbox - not the most fun we could have had on Saturday [was there an easier way?] when we could have been looking at planes and eating BBQ food!! - it turns out that the bearing housings have shattered and consequently the drive shaft has dropped a bit and the 'teeth are chattering'.
My question is, would there be any advantage in replacing the SD1 box with a recon Borg-Warner, I know it'll involve quite a bit of fettling, not least stripping the interior, etc.
I think I've almost talked myself out of it, but if there's a significant advantage and it's still on the ramp...
Anyone?
[/sensible Scruff]

[shpub]

This came up a few weeks ago. It's possible but expensive as you need a new propshaft, the gearbox, the bell housing, the TVR remote linkage and you'll need to make a speedo sensor jimminythingy.

The 520 runs its original SD1 gearbox which was fitted in 1987 when the car was made. It has been Tower View'ed strengthened and rebuilt for about the cost of a decent T5 and I've been giving it megadeath ever since.

If you want more details search the archive.

Steve

[scruff400]

Thanks Steve,

The 'FITTING A BORG WARNER T5 INTO A PRE CAT GRIFF' thread and the fact that I'm looking at £1000 worth of bits and the extra welding/linkages/bell housing/drive shaft required, and, and,

I know what it looks like underneath now, I JUST WANT TO DRIVE IT...

Recon LT77 ordered from Glouster Road Gearboxes Bristol - £450.

Done.

Report to follow.

[neilmac]

scruff400, Any chance of giving a blow by blow account of how you dropped the gearbox out? I may have to do this on my 500 (T5 box) during the winter to replace bearings etc.

Any particular snags and anything you would do differently if doing the job again?

Cheers.

[shpub]

Biggest problem on a T5 is the remote linkage and disconnecting it so that the box can be removed. The pros do it from underneath working blindly. Imagine the war movie scene of disaasembling and reassembling a machine gun while blindfolded. The alternative is to remove the centre console and access from the top. The SD1 box remote is a bit easier. Biggest T5 advantage is that the bell housing is bolted on externally and can be removed in situ to give more spave if necessary.

Of course the exhaust has to come off and the clutch slave cylinder but be very careful when refitting it as if the clip comes off the release arm, the gearbox has to be dropped again to get it unless you have the T5 version which should/may have a nice inspection hole.

Apart from that it is a real bundle of fun...

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

>> Edited by shpub on Monday 12th August 11:26

[neilmac]

Thanks Steve, I am really looking forward to doing the job!!!!!!

[scruff400]

..er, the way Steve described it was pretty much it - I did it half blind (oil in right eye) with the car on a ramp. Exhaust et all off and twisty turny forward backward up-down ballet movenments to drop the box. It was soooo much fun, I laughed 'till I stopped.

[i'm at work so can only contribute to PH with short immature witterings]: I'll spend a bit of time this week writing out a bullet list of how it was performed (when the recon goes back in and it drives around without growling...) It's not likely to be the right way!!! but it kind of worked..

[neilmac]

Your write up will be much appreciated as it looks as though anyone removing gearboxes needs all the info they can get.....

[rick.e]

This may be a silly question, but how do you know which gearbox is fitted? (Mine is a year 2000 Griff 500, presumably this has the standard SD1 box?)

[andyvg]

quote:
This may be a silly question, but how do you know which gearbox is fitted? (Mine is a year 2000 Griff 500, presumably this has the standard SD1 box?)

look at the gearknob - SD1 boxes (only fitted up to '94 I think) have reverse across to the far left whereas the T5 boxes have reverse to the right, your car will most definately have the T5 unless some madman has swapped it!!!!???

Andy

[tvr_griff_4000]

Don't do it. Had old Griff and new one and box is just not that much better to warrant the effort. A good SD1 box set-up properly is IMO just a good.

Won't add appreciable value to the car, but will certainly turn you grey with the hassle.

In my experience the clutch causes most of the problems (either dragging or not set-up properly). If the change simply needs improving try synthetic gearbox oil as that makes a huge difference. Everyone I know that has changed to this notes the improvement throughout the temperature range and it has the advantage of being cheap!

Richard

[scruff400]

Thanks Richard - I've had the call to say the recon LT77 has arrived - so I'll take an evening away from the pub () and have a butchers [sic].
Might be in tomorrow about 05.37!!!

As was pointed out:
old Rover SD1 (LT77): Reverse on gear stick (with driver sat on right side of right hand drive car, facing bonnet - yes, I've written the odd help file ) is up to the left (after you've nudged fifth to avoid that dissagreeable grunge )
New Borg-Warner thingy (i don't care now): Reverse is up and to the right.

I'll fill her up with goose fat and let you know...



>> Edited by scruff400 on Tuesday 13th August 17:36