Update 24 - Gearbox, Spare wheel covers and seating

First-up Vintage Sheet metal completed the rear spare wheel cover, so we fabricated the necessary brackets to hold it in place. As you can see we have managed to source another high level brake light which we have summarily cut down for a more slim-line fit. The spare wheel cover will be sent off for powder coating to match the rest of the trim.

Before showing brackets:



After:



Next-up getting the gearbox in.

The gearbox finally arrived from Quaife. We've opted for the QBE15Z close ratio Heavy Duty box with straight cut gears. First up we dummied the box into the car where the 4 speeder was.





Next up we have located the mounting bracket for the rear end of the gearbox. As you can see, the bracket has been moved back about 2 inches, but it's not a complex job. You can also see in this picture that the original prop with the swapped yoke fits fine. I'm also pleased to see that there is no problem with fouling from the handbrake on the gearbox casing.





Now we have the gearbox in place we need to check the spacing of the gearbox tunnel. First up extracting the freshly powder coated gearbox tunnel from the wrapping. We dummed the tunnel in when we finalised the floor to mark out where the holes are likely to be needed... we're hoping they all work out!



Front section in first... the quaife boxes have a breather and filler in the top of the casing. So we need to put a hole in the top of the case as we're likely to need to get to this. Good news is that it actually fits with no other adjustments. The shifter hole works fine. (dispelling a few myths I've read elsewhere here). If you'd kept with plywood floor you'd also have about 8mm or so extra height which would help.



As we have the alloy floor the rear section of the trans tunnel is under the front (this is usually the other way round) but it works for us and gives a great finish with no further adjustment. Luckily all the holes lined up. In the grey it gives a great finish.