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BN1 gearbox question - "1st gear"
- Thread starter Vespa
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Bob Claffie
Jedi Knight
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Re: BN1 gearbox question - "1st gear"
There was nothing removed from the gearbox there was something added. It's been so long since I modified mine it's real vague but as I recall there was a boss cast in the cover (i think) that wouldn't allow the shifter mech to access "first gear'. A few minutes with a die grinder was all it took to remove it. Contrary to most thoughts, my car was a '56 with the so-called three speed and OD. Popular opinion seems to think it was only the earlier cars that had this negative feature. Bob
There was nothing removed from the gearbox there was something added. It's been so long since I modified mine it's real vague but as I recall there was a boss cast in the cover (i think) that wouldn't allow the shifter mech to access "first gear'. A few minutes with a die grinder was all it took to remove it. Contrary to most thoughts, my car was a '56 with the so-called three speed and OD. Popular opinion seems to think it was only the earlier cars that had this negative feature. Bob
Randy Forbes
Yoda
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Re: BN1 gearbox question - "1st gear"
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vespa:
Hi,
So what EXACTLY was removed from the Austin gearbox to inactivate the original First gear?
Sincerely,
Paul B.<hr></blockquote>
The only one I can remember seeing (like 25 years ago) had a plate fitted inside the case that would prevent the linkage actuating mechanism from engaging first gear.
Just a simple task to remove it, but the original idea that it wasn't a useful gear is correct. The ratio is too low to be of any use.
IIRC, you only need to remove the side cover to access and remove the plate. You don't have to tear down the transmission.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vespa:
Hi,
So what EXACTLY was removed from the Austin gearbox to inactivate the original First gear?
Sincerely,
Paul B.<hr></blockquote>
The only one I can remember seeing (like 25 years ago) had a plate fitted inside the case that would prevent the linkage actuating mechanism from engaging first gear.
Just a simple task to remove it, but the original idea that it wasn't a useful gear is correct. The ratio is too low to be of any use.
IIRC, you only need to remove the side cover to access and remove the plate. You don't have to tear down the transmission.
Healey 100
Jedi Warrior
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Re: BN1 gearbox question - "1st gear"
I recall there is a small boss on that stamped shifter shuttle gate that must be filed off.
But I don't quite agree with Randy that the gear is of no use. I use mine occasionally, when creeping in traffic up hill. The normal first gear is way to high for this sort of work, and the stump puller extra low gear handles it much better.
I understand the reason the block was put in was because the rear end they had could not take the torque from full throttle starts in that low gear in addition to the fact that the ratio was a bit too low. Solution: block out the gear and add an overdrive.
I must admit the three speed box with the quiet, tall sychronized "first" gear is a pleasure to drive -- unless you need to start up on a steep hill or crawl in traffic.
Bill.
I recall there is a small boss on that stamped shifter shuttle gate that must be filed off.
But I don't quite agree with Randy that the gear is of no use. I use mine occasionally, when creeping in traffic up hill. The normal first gear is way to high for this sort of work, and the stump puller extra low gear handles it much better.
I understand the reason the block was put in was because the rear end they had could not take the torque from full throttle starts in that low gear in addition to the fact that the ratio was a bit too low. Solution: block out the gear and add an overdrive.
I must admit the three speed box with the quiet, tall sychronized "first" gear is a pleasure to drive -- unless you need to start up on a steep hill or crawl in traffic.
Bill.