gears and linkages

[JimmyG]

I've put a 1985 gearbox into my 1988 T16. I take it the '85 gearbox had the centering mechanism in the linkages rather than the box. so i need the appropriate linkages?

or is there a way to use the newer type linkages with old box?

Cheers!

[cdaly]

The centering mechanism is bolted to the front of the gear selector housing and has a cam piece on the selector shaft too. I don't know if the later housings have the bolt holes but I'd say the shaft has no cam. Best bet would be to go looking for the housing and shaft...

[Tomarse]

The shaft definately doesnt have the cam on it if it didnt come off a car with the centering mechanism.
The centering bit screws into the plastic base section through 2 holes in the front.
I think even the 4 speed plastic base i took off my 99 had the 2 holes in the front where the centering mechanism would attach.

If the 5 spd gearbox i have on my 99 is the proper one for the car it came off (which had the centering mechanism which i didnt fit to the 99) then there is no problem atall using it without the centering bits. It is fine to drive.

[Si]

You can use an earlier linkage on a later box but not the other way around, well you'll be fishing for gears more.

this is the difference

[c900]

Originally Posted by Si

You can use an earlier linkage on a later box but not the other way around, well you'll be fishing for gears more.

this is the difference

Which one is which and what is significant about the differences between each?

Craig.

[Tomarse]

Originally Posted by c900

Which one is which and what is significant about the differences between each?

Craig.

Top one is the later one with the centering mechanism in the gearbox itself
Lower one is the early one with the centering mechanism bolted to the lever assembly (its basically a big cam on the rod and some springs and runners round it so it centers the lever).

Originally Posted by Si

You can use an earlier linkage on a later box but not the other way around, well you'll be fishing for gears more.

If my box is what is was supposed to be then i am using a non-centering box with a non-centering lever and there is nowt up with it. It took me a couple of days to get the hang of exactly where 3rd and 4th were but after that there is no problem.
The only time you really notice it is going down from 5th into 3rd or 4th - where it would auto center it doesnt quite do it - but after a couple of days you know where it is anyhow and you can feel where it should be!