BRU 434B And the Journey Begins - First Engine Removal and more

[moose549]

As said no need to strap the donuts to remove. When re-fitting three jubilee clips linked together with the screws by the bolt holes, tighten evenly until donut is compressed enough to fit to the gearbox shaft set it so the bolts just fall into place easily this means it is set for the driveshaft side as a starting point. When fitting on the car a 1/4 drive ratchet with 7 mm socket allows you to easily tighten or slacken off the screw on the jubilee clip by the bolt you are trying to fit to get perfect alignment. My record for a donut swap in between stages was 15 mins at the side of the road on a scissor jack with a sumpguard fitted so all done through the wheel arch covered in mud.

[moose549]

one thing i wished i had done to the rally car was to drill through the wings and weld in tubes that would accept a long allen bolt socket driver to allow access to the rear panel side bolts.

[High_dan]

Productive morning! Just got the gearbox and engine mounts now and then the engine will be free! The flexible drive for the gearbox come out easy.

[John A. Ross]

Nice one Dan, sounds like you are on the way

[High_dan]

And it’s out!

[PMCG]

And it’s out!

Any pictures please?

[John A. Ross]

A picture you say

[High_dan]

Yep! Sorry have been degreasing everything.

[High_dan]

How much is a rebuilt gearbox? Where the later ones better?

[John A. Ross]

Dan

Yes later ones had a breather, whats wrong with yours ??

Dennis would have been the man but the poor fella was badly hurt and is not avauilable.

Other than Malcolm your best bet would be Andy, his racing season has turned to crap this year so he might welcome the possibility of gearbox work. He has rebuilt a few

John

[High_dan]

Dan

Yes later ones had a breather, whats wrong with yours ??

John

Nothing at the moment just thinking whilst it is all out might be worth upgrading to a later gearbox, especially for the french trip. Read somewhere that the mk1 boxes don’t like long journeys.

[John A. Ross]

Never seen an issue on Mildred.

I cant remember who but I recall a suggestion to drive until warm and whil still warm undo top filler plug to relieve pressure then refit. Must have a tendancy to weep oil due to lack of breather.

The later gearboxes have a breather and I think I can see one on the back of the box but its at the wrong angle.

The engine is not standard MK 1 either as it has an oil drain fitted so you may already have had a later gearbox and engine fitted, Giles had no issues on it all over France as far as i know. So what you have is it is OK I think can be considerd "tried and tested"

John

[High_dan]

Thanks John, I know the engine is not original. It’s an unstamped later engine. I thought the gearbox was tho? More pics attached. Are they pretty bombproof gearboxes? Don’t want to get half way and loose a gear.

[John A. Ross]

When it comes to stuff already in cars it is how long is a piece of string.

Only way to trust/test them is to drive them. We had 3 done at great expense and to be honest was not all that impressed.

The breather should be on the very rear casing at the back.

If the gears have been giving no grief and no whine from the diff I would just flush and refill the oil, change the oil seals perhaps if they look weepy and refit it.

John

[High_dan]

Thanks John, it’s a later box found the breather. Was expecting more than a small rubber bush. What oil do you recommend?