Gearbox failure; advice urgently needed!

[Stu]

Ok, I have a serious problem with my manual gearbox on my 1971 Firenza DL 1159cc (OHV) as follows...

The square(ish) housing on the end of the selector shaft in which the lever fits has shearred off from the selector rod housing, resulting in the lever being completely loose (not connected to the housing!) and thus unable to engage the gears.
(I can produce photos if necessary, in daylight tomorrow.)
The gearbox oil had been 'thrown' against the underside of the car whilst it was still spinning, and another quantity dripped back down onto the road.

I'm looking for advice on the options available to me, as this has happened just before the MOT is due... arrggghhhhh, typical!

1. 1 Is there any other gearbox that will fit (without serious modification) to be an improvement over the original firenza box?
2. As it's right at the lever end, away from the main 'guts' of the gearbox, can I obtain a rear extension housing and get away with just replacing that, keeping everything else (i.e the selector shaft)?

...or am I looking at a replacement firenza gearbox?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[pbottomley]

Gearbox swap... not a hard job, just car ramps sweat blood and a few tears, might as well stick a new clutch in whilst at it.

your in kent I guess... to far for me to help right now, try PSL see is he can help

[Stu]

..might as well stick a new clutch in whilst at it.

Not a bad idea; especially after the smell it gave off when we had to force the car via heavy revs to drive from stationary, up a slight incline in the only gear we could get it in (most probably 3rd)!

I'm as far east in Kent as you can get without getting wet!

[Stu]

Here's a photo showing the carnage!...



If I cannot source a replacement, would a weld be sufficient if done by a skilled welder? Or is it too much of a crucial area for a weld to be safe?

[Firenzaboy]

Theres your gearbox!
Be QUICK!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Viva-spa ... dZViewItem[url]

[Firenzaboy]

Hmm didnt work
Try this instead

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Viva-spa ... dZViewItem

[Stu]

Thanks, I missed the auction end but did message the buyer to investigate!

I've been made aware of a Viva 2,000 GT gearbox, but am I right in thinking this will not be compatible due to the GT having a slant 4 OHC and me having an OHV in my firenza?

[Sid]

I've got a spare working 1159 HB gearbox, say 20 quid, if that's the same
(someone will know the answer hopefully), but the bad news is I'm all the
way up near M1 junction 30/31 (south yorkshire/north notts.) and it would
need to be collected.

Sid

[Stu]

Thanks Sid, but I think the distance is a little too far for me I'm afraid.

[pbottomley]

Donated my last gearbox to a needy local, they had no gears at all in there car.... Then again I am still to far north for you. Surly someone has a box thats south of the Watford gap?