Thread: Info on original 4speed

It might be worth checking, or changing the detent springs that hold the selector shafts in place and whilst you are at it, the detent balls and plungers as well; they are accessible without removing the gearbox.

However; from what I have read on the Series 2 and 3 forum it could be a case of worn shafts inside the box. Wagoo is a champ on Land Rover gearboxes and he should be able to help you better than I can, but read through the gearbox posts on the above mentioned,

Cheers Charlie

Originally Posted by chazza

It might be worth checking, or changing the detent springs that hold the selector shafts in place and whilst you are at it, the detent balls and plungers as well; they are accessible without removing the gearbox.

However; from what I have read on the Series 2 and 3 forum it could be a case of worn shafts inside the box. Wagoo is a champ on Land Rover gearboxes and he should be able to help you better than I can, but read through the gearbox posts on the above mentioned,

Cheers Charlie

Thanks mate I've changed them - still jumps out Best regards Eddie.

Eddie

I feel that both your gearbox and transfer box need overhaul. Jumping out of second and third are classic symptoms of worn gearbox and similarly jumping out of low on the over-run. The classic low range is on a steep decent using engine braking, going over a slight rise, such as where there is a terrace across the road to stop water erosion then low range drops out as you go onto the next decent.

If you have a Delo adapter plate, they are renown for being out of square and reducing the life of the main gearbox. Delo kits have cast aluminium engine mounts.

Diana

time for a rebuild.

if you're lucky its just the dogs and syncros, if not its a total rebuild.

Hi Eddie,

Check the position of the red transfer lever before doing anything too drastic. Mine used to jump out of gears too. Failed a roadworthy because of it. I found that the cutout in the floor where the red lever comes through was too small and the lever was almost in the neutral position, when it was bumped the gears would pop out. I pulled the boot up and cut a bit of the floor away, only a matter of a few milimetres, and that helped the problem. My gearbox mounts were worn too so replaced them to stop the movement. It has to do with how the conversion was done I think. Mine runs the standard 4 speed and TF behind a 186. I drive nearly 100km round trip every day to work and the combo seems to work well. I'm about to convert to gas for better economy.

Originally Posted by pfillery

Hi Eddie,

Check the position of the red transfer lever before doing anything too drastic. Mine used to jump out of gears too. Failed a roadworthy because of it. I found that the cutout in the floor where the red lever comes through was too small and the lever was almost in the neutral position, when it was bumped the gears would pop out. I pulled the boot up and cut a bit of the floor away, only a matter of a few milimetres, and that helped the problem. My gearbox mounts were worn too so replaced them to stop the movement. It has to do with how the conversion was done I think. Mine runs the standard 4 speed and TF behind a 186. I drive nearly 100km round trip every day to work and the combo seems to work well. I'm about to convert to gas for better economy.

Thanks mate I've done the cut out on red gear lever as have been advised by you and LVS and still have not solved problem. I have'nt checked out all engine and G/B mounts however. Been in contact with LVS who want to have a look at it. I told them I wasn't happy with it. So here goes - I hope to have this prob sorted out soon.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Eddie

I feel that both your gearbox and transfer box need overhaul. Jumping out of second and third are classic symptoms of worn gearbox and similarly jumping out of low on the over-run. The classic low range is on a steep decent using engine braking, going over a slight rise, such as where there is a terrace across the road to stop water erosion then low range drops out as you go onto the next decent.

If you have a Delo adapter plate, they are renown for being out of square and reducing the life of the main gearbox. Delo kits have cast aluminium engine mounts.

Diana

Thanks Diana, don't know wich adapter plate I have, - must have a closer look, what tou have described is exactly what its doing. Looks like total rebuild I just wish there was an easy 5speed stronger gearbox conversion out there to suit these old S3s. Best regards Eddie.

Your gearbox and transfercase sounds like it is well past its use by date Eddy and requires a complete overhaul.I have found most brands of Holden adaptors to be out of true,and require dialling in to address the issue of jumping out of 4 th gear.
The input shaft and front end of mainshaft wobbling around offcentre due to the untrue adaptor doesn't do the other gears or selectors much good either, and series 3 1st and 2nd gears don't really need any additional help to cause them to jump out of 1st and second gears.
Sorry I can't offer any easy alternative gearbox suggestions short of fitting a complete gearbox/transfercase assembly from some other vehicle such as a LandCruiser or MQ Nissan Patrol. Later Patrols have centred rear output shafts that don't suit LandRover offcentre rear diffs. this is assuming of course that you can buy an adaptor plate for these to fit a Holden engine.
Wagoo.