Dean, I just checked and found an IPW nationwide phone # (U.S.)
1-800-288-8018. I guess I was wrong about their not working with the common
folk!
Mark Haynes
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dean Dashwood [SMTP:DDashwood@softwright.co.uk]
> Sent: Friday, June 04, 1999 4:43 AM
> To: 'Spitfire List'
> Subject: Gearbox update
>
>
> I said I'd update the list re. my gearbox, so here goes:
>
> To recap: when my gearbox blew up last week, I decided to get a
> reconditioned unit from John Kipping, and getting a local (non-LBC)
> garage to fit it. I also asked them to check the clutch while the
> gearbox is off.
>
> The garage checked the clutch as I asked, it was worn almost right down
> - certainly worth changing. They ordered a clutch from their local
> supplier, fitted that and the recon gearbox, and road-tested - the
> clutch was not releasing properly. After a while, they discovered that
> the cover plate on the new clutch was a lot thicker than the one that
> came off the car. They assumed they'd been supplied the wrong part, so
> they went back to their supplier - no, that's definitely the right one.
> So they tried another supplier - who delivered the same, too-thick
> cover.
>
> Eventually, they decided to use the old cover - it was only the friction
> plate and release bearing that really needed replacing. So the question
> is - did both of the garages supplier send them the same wrong part
> (unlikely) or does my car have a different cover to standard (why would
> anyone do this)?
>
> Ok, so clutch problems sorted out (albeit with some questions
> unanswered) I got the car back - with the reverse light and overdrive
> not working. I took the tunnel off and found that all the wiring had
> been connected wrongly. Took me a minute or two with a multi-meter to
> figure out what goes where, but eventually got it all straightened out.
>
> Now, the reverse light works fine, and overdrive works fine in 3rd gear
> - but doesn't work at all in 4th. I got out the multi-meter to figure
> out what's going on, and here's what I found. Gearstick in 3rd gear -
> 12v across the overdrive switch. Gearstick in neutral, but pushed over
> towards 3rd/4th gear - 12v. Push the gearstick into 4th, and you get
> 12v as the syncro-mesh engages, but 0v as it actually goes into gear.
>
> So, is this a problem with the way the gearbox was fitted, a faulty
> gearbox, a faulty inhibitor switch, or something else I haven't thought
> of?
>
> I regret letting the garage do this now - the extra time/cost involved
> negated all the reasons I decided not to do it myself. Next time, I
> don't think I'll bother!
>
> Anyway, the gearbox itself seems fine - the gearchanges are a tiny bit
> stiff, but not a hint of groaning on any gearchange. But this is what
> you'd expect immediately after fitting it - it's how it holds up over
> time that counts! I'll update the list again after I've done a bit of
> mileage. In the meantime, if anyone has any answers to the questions,
> I'd appreciate it!
>
> Dean Dashwood
> '77 Spit 1500
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