Transmission tunnel problem

[Mustlust]

With the seat base installed and firewall bolted on, the transmission tunnel cover just fits in the gap between the two, however the gearstick base is hard forward against the cut-out aperture othe cover. This means the rubber boot doesn't fit and when placed on the stick, there is a 15mm gap on the seat side.
The chassis came with the gearbox bolted on and I simply bolted the engine to it. I've measured the outriggers against the dimensions in the manual and all looks ok. The engine mounts marry up with the engine no problems although looks like maybe the gearbox could move back just a little.
Any ideas why the tunnel cover is out of alignment?

[Johnno1969]

Maybe look at loosening all the engine and gearbox mounts (both sides of each mount) and trying to give the entire assembly a nudge rearward. With the tolerances of the various apertures into which the various bolts protrude, there may be enough collective adjuctment to move things back to where you want them.

John

[Johnno1969]

P.S. same goes for the bodywork. Always room for some adjustment...

[Mustlust]

Thanks John,
I wondered if the whole drivetrain needed a good heave.
Will give it a go. I have both guards off as I'm doing the timing belt today, so no better time than the present.

[Mustlust]

Can't budge the drivetrain! A lot of effort for no gain.
Could the mounts have been moved when the engine was replaced by a Holden donk at some stage?

[Brisruss]

Something does not sound right. Do the holes on the transmission plate line up OK? How much clearance is there between the back of the motor and firewall? Are the doors OK alignment wise? Any shims on the bulkhead feet mounting?
Is this on the 86 or 2A? Perhaps a photo might help.

Cheers,
Russ

[mick88]

Do you have a Holden motor in it at present?
Check that the gearbox mounts are on their correct sides.
Also I think from memory this piece can be mistakenly put on the wrong side causing the gearbox to sit incorrectly.
Good Luck.


Cheers, Mick.

[Mustlust]

Here are some pics. You see that the gear stick saddle is touching the firewall section and there is no gap whatsoever. The second pic is the front mount and the last is the gearbox mount.

There previous owner fitted the gearbox and I wonder if the mounts are the wrong way around, they may have positioned it in the incorrect location.Is there an off-set to the gearbox mounts? By swapping them over, is it possible to pick up 15-20mm???

When bolting the mounts onto the 200tdi block, there are 2 sets of mounting bolt holes. The distance between these holes would be close to the distance I need to move the drive train rearwards.

[mick88]

Looking at the pics it appears non standard!
Normally the cross member is part of the chassis and the gearbox floats above that on the rubber mounts, however yours appears to have the cross member floating. You might need to get the "rat tail" file out and tweek a few holes to get the gearbox into position.
The cross member below is usually under the gearbox and part of the complete chassis unless it has been modified.
By the way, those mounts (rubber) are diesel engine mounts too!



Cheers, Mick.

[Mustlust]

Thanks for the message.
It's an ex army chassis, ex Holden motor....... And now has 200tdi plonked in front. Previous owner started the project and fitted gearbox and 2.5 TD motor without having fitted bulkhead. He upgraded the mounts for the turbo motor and gearbox, probably under advice from mechanic who rebuilt the gearbox.
I think that I will remove the seat base tomorrow and swap the gearbox mounts around to see if that makes a difference.