Newbie needs help & advice re 400se
Discussion
Hi everyone. I have looked at various wedges for sale in the last few weeks, but still wedgeless 
. I have just looked at the "cheap 400 for sale in autotrader" (topic started yesterday) and need some advice.
The engine seems great (goes like hell and sounds like it too
) and the interior pretty good... but the gearbox could be knackered! The gearbox feels like a spoon in a pudding bowl and is very difficult to properly select a gear, especially when changing down. Clutch seems okay (no slip in 5th with handbrake on) and the seller said it might be the `selector`. Is this a common problem with these rover v8 gearboxes? Are they expensive to replace?
Also the chassis, although it has been treated at some point in the past is pretty much covered with surface rust (especially around the junction point bulkhead bit behind the engine) and a little bit crumbly (though no holes) in places. Looks like it would waxoyl up ok, but should this put me off?
I am really tempted but I'm not sure....
What do you think??
. I have just looked at the "cheap 400 for sale in autotrader" (topic started yesterday) and need some advice. The engine seems great (goes like hell and sounds like it too
) and the interior pretty good... but the gearbox could be knackered! The gearbox feels like a spoon in a pudding bowl and is very difficult to properly select a gear, especially when changing down. Clutch seems okay (no slip in 5th with handbrake on) and the seller said it might be the `selector`. Is this a common problem with these rover v8 gearboxes? Are they expensive to replace? Also the chassis, although it has been treated at some point in the past is pretty much covered with surface rust (especially around the junction point bulkhead bit behind the engine) and a little bit crumbly (though no holes) in places. Looks like it would waxoyl up ok, but should this put me off?
I am really tempted but I'm not sure....
What do you think??
CHJ said:
Hi everyone. I have looked at various wedges for sale in the last few weeks, but still wedgeless . I have just looked at the "cheap 400 for sale in autotrader" (topic started yesterday) and need some advice.
The engine seems great (goes like hell and sounds like it too ) and the interior pretty good... but the gearbox could be knackered! The gearbox feels like a spoon in a pudding bowl and is very difficult to properly select a gear, especially when changing down. Clutch seems okay (no slip in 5th with handbrake on) and the seller said it might be the `selector`. Is this a common problem with these rover v8 gearboxes? Are they expensive to replace?
Also the chassis, although it has been treated at some point in the past is pretty much covered with surface rust (especially around the junction point bulkhead bit behind the engine) and a little bit crumbly (though no holes) in places. Looks like it would waxoyl up ok, but should this put me off?
I am really tempted but I'm not sure....
What do you think??
. I have just looked at the "cheap 400 for sale in autotrader" (topic started yesterday) and need some advice. The engine seems great (goes like hell and sounds like it too
) and the interior pretty good... but the gearbox could be knackered! The gearbox feels like a spoon in a pudding bowl and is very difficult to properly select a gear, especially when changing down. Clutch seems okay (no slip in 5th with handbrake on) and the seller said it might be the `selector`. Is this a common problem with these rover v8 gearboxes? Are they expensive to replace? Also the chassis, although it has been treated at some point in the past is pretty much covered with surface rust (especially around the junction point bulkhead bit behind the engine) and a little bit crumbly (though no holes) in places. Looks like it would waxoyl up ok, but should this put me off?
I am really tempted but I'm not sure....
What do you think??
The LT77 gearbox can be a bit notchy, partly affected by the type of oil in it. It might also have knackered bushes around the remote housing, or too much lateral freeplay in the lever, which can be adjusted. It should barely have any play until you feel resistance. If it crunches on downchanges, and the clutch is definitely working ok, then it probably needs a rebuild. Cost depends on whether you take the box out yourself or not. I think for a straight rebuild of a removed box, you're looking at c. £400, or double that if you don't remove it first.
7.
CHJ said:
Hmmm thanks for the replies. £800 on top of £5800 doesn't really make it that cheap. But that 4.6 engine sounded sweet (and was scary fast) and it was by far the best of the 3 I have looked at so far. What does NAFAIK mean?
A 4.6 cross bolted lump is a very good starting point - even the 500's aren't cross bolted.
Not As Far As I Know.
7.
Chopping the crossmember tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes.
Although I have noticed that on my later 450SE chassis the 'crossmember' in question is a steel bar (not a tube) welded across the inner chassis rails.
Now looking at earlier chassis cars this crossmember seems to be a proper chassis 'tube' that carrries on straight across to the outriggers. Which I would have thought would be a mare to weld up again.
[Conspiracy theory mode on/]
Now being a late model ('91 registered) 450SE with obviously more poke than a 350i do you think that TVR knew that the gearbox would be an issue handling that much power and opted for a steel plate instead of a tube as they knew that the box would be an issue and would probably have to come out at somepoint???
[Conspiracy theory mode off/]
MikeyB
Although I have noticed that on my later 450SE chassis the 'crossmember' in question is a steel bar (not a tube) welded across the inner chassis rails.
Now looking at earlier chassis cars this crossmember seems to be a proper chassis 'tube' that carrries on straight across to the outriggers. Which I would have thought would be a mare to weld up again.
[Conspiracy theory mode on/]
Now being a late model ('91 registered) 450SE with obviously more poke than a 350i do you think that TVR knew that the gearbox would be an issue handling that much power and opted for a steel plate instead of a tube as they knew that the box would be an issue and would probably have to come out at somepoint???
[Conspiracy theory mode off/]
MikeyB
combine said:
Leave it , get one thats been sorted !! Go to the wedgefest there will be lots to chose from .
Best idea by far Combine.
Lots to look at next weekend, lots of Wedgers to talk to, dont buy this car just for the 4.6, why was the engine changed anyway ??? if the 4.0 was worn out and this is the original gearbox, is that worn out ??
Why was this car for sale for ages last year ?? why selling so soon ?? Too many ????????s
If you want a wild Wedge you should at least have a look at L33,s the 350 with the 4.5 engine from a fighter jet, more poke than a 4.6 and sound like the sound track to desert storm
Wait just one short week, if you can. I am sure this 4.6 will still be their if you still want it
Good Luck
There is a 350se (they have a 4.0 engine), and a 4.0 350 on classifieds in this price range without the
????? factor Edited by badredwedge on Friday 7th July 05:26
CHJ said:
Thanks for the advice - there probably are too many ????s. I will try to make BBWF but it clashes with the AirTatoo at RAF Fairford and I've already bought tickets for that 
.
I'm not sure how a 2003 Hyundai Coupe v6 would fit in with a load of Wedges
Flog or burn the AirTatoo tickets and park your Coupe round the back. You won't regret it! Unless you're looking into buying aircraft BBWF will be the better day! Ground attack vehicles in abundance! . I'm not sure how a 2003 Hyundai Coupe v6 would fit in with a load of Wedges
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