TR2/3/3A Hot Gear Shift Lever

[TR3MT]

When driving around town in hot weather in my 1959 TR3A the gear shift lever becomes so hot that I can hardly touch it. Should I be concerned about this? It shifts fine. Transmission is full.
Thanks,
TR3MT

 

[Hamish Racing]

I get a hot gear lever too.
it’s a tr6 box with A type od in a ‘59 3a driven lightly ……

I just presumed it’s one of this things ?
And not sure what you’d do about it anyway ?
be interested in the responses.
H

 

[sp53]

I suppose that is why they used a rubber shifting knob. There are leather knobs out there, but I have not had that problem yet, and I have metal knob.

steve

 

[karls59tr]

I get a hot gear lever too.
it’s a tr6 box with A type od in a ‘59 3a driven lightly ……

I just presumed it’s one of this things ?
And not sure what you’d do about it anyway ?
be interested in the responses.
H

When you shift to Reverse with the TR6 box do you have to lift the gear lever up like the 3 box or just slide the lever over and back?

 

[Hamish Racing]

When you shift to Reverse with the TR6 box do you have to lift the gear lever up like the 3 box or just slide the lever over and back?

It’s the same lift and back.

 

[titanic]

I am not sure when it changed, but my 71 TR6 does not require lifting the lever for reverse. Just a sharp push to the right and back. Also, the proximity of the exhaust pipe to the trans. causes heat to be trans. and gear lever.
Berry

 

[Hamish Racing]

Mine is an early box as it has the low ratio 3.14 first gear. Good for my sprint starts. Best yet 2.29sec to 64ft.

 

[CJD]

I am not sure when it changed, but my 71 TR6 does not require lifting the lever for reverse. Just a sharp push to the right and back. Also, the proximity of the exhaust pipe to the trans. causes heat to be trans. and gear lever.
Berry

That happens as the shift levers wear. So not a change, just a well used gearbox.

 

[titanic]

I disagree-my 1971 TR6 owners manual states that "to engage reverse, move the lever sharply to the right and rearward." The TR4 manual does state that lifting the lever is required to engage reverse.
Berry

 

[CJD]

Then I stand corrected.

I can say there are a lot of TR2/3/4 boxes that no longer need to be lifted, though!

 

[titanic]

John-I think we both might be right. This issue was kicked around on the Triumph Experience forum. It seems like the TR2-4 cars started out with a "ledge" on the shift rod that required lifting the lever to engage reverse, but with wear the ledge became a ramp. TR6s started must have started life with a ramp didn't require lifting and that is why the instructions in the owners manual changed.
Berry

 

[CJD]

And that brings up a possibility that the levers I have encountered that "seemed" worn, could have been TR6 replacements?!? AT this stage in our car's lives there has been a lot of repairs and swaps.

 

[billspohn]

You don't need to be touching the shaft of the lever anyway, but yes, the transmissions do heat up.

In my MG race car I pulled in from practice once and immediately popped the tunnel out to check something. When I leaned over, a few drops of sweat dripped on the transmission case and promptly hissed and boiled away, indicating that the trans was at or above 212 F......

A rubber insert in a shift lever can add as an insulator but adds an element of flexibility that makes shifting feel just a tad odd.