Stock 4-Speed Gearbox or Rivergate 5-speed???

[Guest]

However, the stock gearbox is just fine for normal cruising. And, ring and pinion gears down to 3.55 are available (e.g., Frontline Spridget in England, etc.) if you wish to go that route.

Good luck, let us know . . .

Just heard back from frontline, no 3.55 avalible. Anyone know where one can be had?

 

[JPSmit]

I would love to have a 5-speed in Ms. Triss. In part because all our other cars are standard, so, when I hit the highway, I automatically try to shift up onto 5th - hasn't worked yet.

 

[Guest]

I would love to have a 5-speed in Ms. Triss. In part because all our other cars are standard, so, when I hit the highway, I automatically try to shift up onto 5th - hasn't worked yet.

Yeah, but you still have a "swing out" reverse if you do it quick enough.

 

[JPSmit]

I would love to have a 5-speed in Ms. Triss. In part because all our other cars are standard, so, when I hit the highway, I automatically try to shift up onto 5th - hasn't worked yet.

Yeah, but you still have a "swing out" reverse if you do it quick enough.

:lol: and my day comes to a sudden and abrupt end

 

[Guest]

No, I meant the way the shifter swings around and hits the dash if you put it in reverse too quick but you're right, reach for 5th and catch third.....swing out reverse.

Well, it appears that when I try to be funny, I'm not, and when I don't try, I am.

Reverse comedian?

 

[RickB]

No, I meant the way the shifter swings around and hits the dash if you put it in reverse too quick but you're right, reach for 5th and catch third.....swing out reverse.

Well, it appears that when I try to be funny, I'm not, and when I don't try, I am.

Reverse comedian?

Oh no - the...


ANTI-COMIC!!!

 

[JPSmit]

No, I meant the way the shifter swings around and hits the dash if you put it in reverse too quick but you're right, reach for 5th and catch third.....swing out reverse.

Well, it appears that when I try to be funny, I'm not, and when I don't try, I am.

Reverse comedian?

see now I'm confused too - I presumed it was a reference to the unique location of reverse on 1500's being exactly the same as a typical 5 speed - hence the "quick change 4th into reverse." day ends in a hurry comment. and yeah you've got reverse comedian written all over

course we might just say bass ackwar.. - aw never mind

 

[NardisCNC]

OK, sorry to be the newbie but this "swing out reverse" stuff has me completely lost!

Is reverse on a 210 5-speed in a weird spot like on a Volkswagen or something? The above comment referenced a unique location of reverse on a 1500? Is reverse on a 5-speed (or 1500) not in the same location as on a 4 speed ribcage??

 

[JPSmit]

Sorry, we are getting a little goofy. The 1500 4 speed transmission has reverse up and to the right unlike the 1275 ribcase and smooth case.

 

[RickB]

Just for fun the 210 4 speed reverse is to the right and down.

The 1979 210 5 speed type 60 trans (dogleg) is straight up from 1st - all the way left and up.

 

[JPSmit]

Just for fun the 210 4 speed reverse is to the right and down.

The 1979 210 5 speed type 60 trans (dogleg) is straight up from 1st - all the way left and up.

we have three cars - all standard - all with reverse in a different spot - Midget up and right, Mazda down and right, Beetle up and left. sheesh

BTW was watching Top Gear the other day and finally had the logic of dog leg transmissions explained - basically the assumption is that first is of no driving value so, the "real" gear "H" is 2-3-4-5. Makes sense to me

 

[Guest]

Leave it to me to screw everything up.

 

[andyhardie]

Gents, as one who has done the 5 speed conversion, I can say simply that the car has a BETTER vibe now. The thing is awesome. And to the untrained eye it's hard to tell there's any "foreign" parts in the car. With the hood closed you can't.
The car has all the same traits we have always enjoyed, without the niggly shortcomings like no synchro 1st when in traffic around town, and the shortness of gearing when cruising down the highway.
That synchro 1st is worth the price of admission, the overdrive a huge bonus.
Oh, and BTW, to my knowlege, P.A's Morris Service kit is the only one that uses a Datsun clutch. A bit bigger and stouter than the original, but it does require machining of the flywheel which Paul will do....for a price. Great kit though, very high quality if a little pricey.
I think my whole conversion came in at about 2 grand which is steep, but I would do it over again, that's how much of an improvement it has made. For that I got a rebuilt gearbox which accounted for nearly 1/2 the cost of the kit, new rear mount, machined flywheel, speedo angle drive, new performance Datsun clutch and all the fancy milled aluminum bits like back plate and slave cylinder mounting bracket to make it all work, shortened shifter lever, roller T/O bearing with fork and yoke. Oh and shipping too, which also required me to send my flywheel to Oregon for Paul to fit the clutch to. Great guy to deal with, but old school, no web site just the phone and email.

5 gears rule and don't be scared of putting this kit in ANY Spridget, even a 948. 5th isn't that big a gear the 54 horses can't pull it.
A highly recommended upgrade for these cars from guy who used not to see the point of it.

 

[andyhardie]

Forgot to mention, the Datsun is favored because the car doesn't need to be altered to make it fit. Some sheet metal needs to be reworked to make the Ford boxes offered by the likes of Frontline work, and the shifter hole has to be moved rearward a little. Not a fully reversible installation like the Datsun.

Once the Datsun's dry up it may be hard to do a reversible conversion.