Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Plus 8 4 speed gear-leaver

Hi all
After a few years of my gear change getting worse on my 1974 4 speed plus 8
I thought I would finally do something about it.
On taking the gear leaver off the gear box I found the acorn shaped plastic bit on the end of the lever that fits into the selector rod had disintegrated and totally disappeared. As they are not available separately and I can't find a suitable replacement I am trying to make my own, but i could do with the dimensions.
Has any one on the forum got one lying around that the could measure for me?
I could do with the length and width of the bush or if anyone has one in their car, is there play in the lever or is it a tight fit?
If anyone can help me, I would be eternally grateful.
Many thanks Steve.

Have you checked the Gomog web site

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/plus8index.html

or Rimmer Bros

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/ItemList--Rover-V8-Engines--Gearbox--m-572

Good Luck

Thanks Dave
Yes, I had tried both those avenues unfortunately most of the info relate to 5 gearboxes and Rimmer's couldn't help.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Steve

Yes, I have a 4 speed Rover gearbox in my 1976 rolling chassis, I'll get you an image and dimensions over the weekend.

Thanks David much appreciated.
Steve

Hi, not sure if this is of help but it stuck in my mind about the 4 speed issues

http://www.morganownersclub.com.au/Plus%208%20Rover%204%20Speed%20Gearbox.pdf

http://www.morganownersclub.com.au/Plus%208%20Rover%204%20Speed%20Gearbox%20Rattles.pdf

Thanks again, but unfortunately it is the nylon acorn bit on the end of the gear lever that locates into the end of the selector rod that has disappeared and needs replacing.
I am on my third attempt at turning one on the lathe and I keep trying
slightly different profiles but still am unable to select all the gears. Unlike a ball and socket the profile is going to have to be spot on for it to work.
I will just have to carry on until I hit just the right shape could be a while at this rate.
Steve

Steve,
Are these any good, if you PM me, I can email them in hi-res. If it's still trial and error I can try a series of sectioned measurements.
The bush is a just fit, no effort to assemble it, but no slop.

Thank you.
They are exactly what I needed. The acorn shape as they call it is a lot shorter than I though which is probably where I am going wrong.
Thanks for taking the trouble.
Steve

Steve,

I have some photos of both the 'acorn' bottom of the gear lever as well as the extension rod that operates the gear selectors. Let me know if you want them; if so, let me have your email address and I'll sent them.

Regarding dimensions, the overall length of the 'acorn' on my lever is 20.05mm, the overall diameter 20.05mm and the small end of the acorn 10.06mm. By the way, the 'acorn' on my lever is made from ferrous metal, not plastic.

The 'acorn' fits into the extension rod and this has a 20.40mm plastic/nylon bush pressed into the extension rod. Allow for a little wear on the parts that I have measured; after all, they're 40 years old!

I understand that the four speed gearboxes fitted to the Rover P6 3500 were essentially of similar design to those of the P6 2000 and 2200 four cylinder cars; they were 'beefed up' in a number of areas. It's possible that the gear lever extension was shared between the Rover 3500 and 2000/2200 cars. Speculation on my part.

Hope this helps. Regards, David.