Thread: Bella's new start

G'day All,

It seems I've changed direction a little in my resto. I was going to get the rear tub painted and ready for reattachment. Then I was going to put my harness through the chassis and onto the fire wall. Slight change of plans as I may have a chance to get some two pack paint which will be a proper match in colour.

So I've had a bit of a look at the gearbox. When I purchased Bella, there was a complete gearbox and transfer case in the truck, plus a spare 'box in the back. The story I was told was "one box jumps out of gear but can't remember which gear, and the other box has a stuffed syncro for third. The only problem is I'm not sure which box is which".

After separating the trucks 'box, t case and front output shaft housing, I was pleasantly surprised to find nothing appeared to be wrong to the transfer case or front output shaft housing. With these set aside, I started to pull the two boxes apart.

Chasing the "jumping out of gear" problem, I pulled the selectors apart. The three springs were all complete in both boxes... maybe a little compressed. I couldn't see any obvious signs of wear on any of the selector forks so it will require a more in-depth search.

Moving lower into the boxes I found constant gear from the "in vehicle" box was missing a few teeth but the one in the spare box was good.



However the layshaft in the vehicle box was good but the spare box layshaft had half the shoulder missing.





The third/ forth syncro in the vehicle box is missing one of the rectangular spring clips but the spare box syncro looks OK.





The above shows the "good" syncro on the right, but I'm wondering if the outer brass ring on this one is a bit worn in comparison? Maybe I could use one of the spring clips from the spare syncro to complete the vehicle syncro.

I couldn't find any other visual problems in the boxes so I'm hoping a bit of mix and match will help. Having never driven the vehicle there is a bit of guess work going on but time will tell.

Cheers for now,

Marty.

The synchro ring on the left looks to be in much better condition - the springs can be replaced,

Cheers Charlie

Originally Posted by chazza

The synchro ring on the left looks to be in much better condition - the springs can be replaced,

Cheers Charlie

Thanks Charlie, do you know if new ones are readily available....or if it's OK to "borrow" one from the other syncro?

Regards Marty.

Yes; Four Wheel Drives in Melbourne had them when I needed some,

Cheers Charlie

G'day All,

Yet again it's been ages since I posted on this thread. Since I last did there has been a house sale, a house purchase, moving, getting settled, reviving a '65 Fergy tractor inherited with new house and everything else associated with moving to a run down 20 acres.

So Bella had to take a back seat while all this was going on but I have started to do a bit on her. The gear box was finished off before I moved and it's quietly waiting to be returned to the chassis. I have started to strip the engine-which already had the head and valves out when I purchased her. Having never heard her run I was fairly apprehensive.

All was going well and I hadn't spotted anything majorly wrong until number four piston came out.



I guess it's not just going to be "rings and bearings"
For the damage to the top of the piston, the bore is not to bad but will need some work.

The top of the piston has STD stamped just near the V shape so would I be right in saying they are standard size pistons?



If this is right I will look at getting a 20 thou re-bore and over sized pistons. In the small amount of research I have done it appears as though there is a few different makers in the UK at very different prices (haven't looked into postage). Otherwise it looks like about $450 for the pistons and I'm not sure if that includes rings.

I would be interested to hear what others have done with regards to new pistons and where they have been purchased.

I would also like to know what the bottom ring near the skirt of the piston is? My parts book, service manual and suppliers pictures make no mention of it.

Cheers for now,

Marty.

I have just read this thread from the start. Very very interesting, and made all the more informative & interesting with your pictures, which have been specific & self explanatory, relative to the particular part of the resto you are doing.
Thanks, & well done, you are going to end up with a very good unit.
Lover the colour, Pickles.

I bet you're happy to be back at it again. I hope your shed has a heater in it. I have moved my work into the shed its just too wet and cold for anything outside at the moment.

Originally Posted by Peter O

I bet you're happy to be back at it again. I hope your shed has a heater in it. I have moved my work into the shed its just too wet and cold for anything outside at the moment.

Gone from brand new colourbond shed to 70 year old farm shed. No heater,it's drafty, and it leaks water.

I love it, it's like being in a giant Land Rover! I just have to add a teaspoon of cement to my coffee.

Definitely happy to be back at it.