Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Gearbox finished 2.jpg Gearbox finished.jpg Gearbox throwout 1.jpg
Finished the gearbox today. At least, internally finished. I am still awaiting the following, to complete entirely: clutch rod bushes, rear MDG seal, pilot bearing, locking wire (found enough for the shift forks), and the throwout grease hose. Thanks to Jacques, I contacted Ajays in NZ, and am waiting to hear if they can purchase more of the grease hose. They had run out some time prior and had none in store. Fingers crossed!

Worst part of the whole thing was keeping one of the thrust bearings in place while installing the quite heavy gear cluster that it mates with. I ended up holding it in place with a layer of masking tape around the ID, making sure no tape went anywhere I couldn't take it off again. I was fortunate that all gaskets came off in a single piece, and had no problem making new ones, with the exception of a few minutes searching for the correct thikness materials which were ....somewhere.

Thoroughly checked the shifting pattern, and everything works FINE! Just one little irritance, the reverse lockout rod sticks a little more than I would like (which is NO sticking). That would be my fault, I put the normal amount of paint coats on the shift lever etc.. A little bit if fine sanding may be in order if the graphite grease I applied doesn't work well enough.
Gear boot 1.jpg
I cut the unwanted portion from the gear lever boot, and did a trial fit. Looks OK, so it will stay in place, and I will attach it propper at a later date, when I need a 'time-out' from soething else. You know the Time-Out scenario? That's when you have to stop whatever you are doing that isn't going well, or you risk bringing a 12lb sledge down onto it.
Throwout body.jpg
Getting back to the discussion on sealed VS open bearings. I have decided to leave both of mine sealed. At the front, oil will still get past the bearing, Just in a much reduced quantity. The grooves in the slinger will hold some, and friction should be minimal there anyway. I chucked a handful of light grease in there for startup.