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Rivergate visit

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Rut

Rut

Obi Wan
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I was in eastern Tennessee for the last few days and decided to stop by Rivergate Restoration. I met with Will Perry and he was gracious enough to show me around his new shop and explain everything that goes into his conversions. What a nice guy! I plan on ordering his kit sometime this fall and install it over the winter. Does anyone have any tips or pitfalls I need to look out for?
Thanks, Rut
 
Joey,
I've got all the parts and pieces needed including the shifter, new bushings, cup, and rubber gaiter. I understand the shifters are getting hard to come by, but you can always give Rivergate a call.
Rut
 
Hap,
I'm getting the complete kit including the starter, slave, and speedo drive. His base kit comes with the seal and with the leaky sob I own I wouldn't go without it!
Thanks, Rut
 
I just got the kit as you mentioned above with starter, speedo adaptor, and clutch slave yesterday. He includes wonderful step-by-step instructions. I must admit, I am a bit intimidated with the procedure, but I think with patience it will go well. But if anyone around my area wants to come over and help, I'll have beer waiting for you!
 
Depending on how your time vs money balance is, you may want to buy his rebuild kit and have the transmission rebuilt. There's no side inspection etc. plate; for a shop to check the tranny they pretty much have to pull it apart. Which means you might as well get the new bits installed.
Alternatively, follow the instructions and install and see how she goes - it's a nuisance to have to pull everthing again, but it's not all that many hours.
And I screwed up and misread the instructions and caused myself some heartache; resolved once I figured out where I'd failed the IQ test. It's a quite tight fit, but works. So, if you can't seem to get the install, installed - sit quietly down and re-read from start to end - slowly.
And I've recently sent a shifter to Rivergate for modifying; touch wood, clearances will allow us to retain the stock BE 'cupola' around the shift lever. And an 'innie' rubber boot?
Doug
 
Doug,
Thanks, my Bugeye is completely apart and ready for stripping/paint and I plan on fitting everything prior to paint. I want to make sure I get it right and I have enough time to play around with the install. Also, Will suggested that I fit the engine/transmission prior to cutting the shifter and have it fit (cut and bent) after the install since there's so much variation in these cars.
I also bought a 'set' of internals from BillM to make sure I'll have what I need in case there's a problem, but I may get it rebuilt just to ensure it's in good shape.
The more I work on this car the more I want it to be 'right' and I'm cleaning/polishing/painting parts no one will ever see. I would like to do this with the transmission case and can't decide between buffing it out or painting it to match the engine. This is sad to say, but I have the original 948/smoothcase, a 1275/SCCR and 1275/5 speed to make sure I can put it back original or make a nice cruiser.
Rut
 
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