Engine, Transaxle & Chassis together after 20 years

[Dilkris]

I now have the engine and transaxle in the chassis - they have been apart for some 20 years, so very much a milestone for me. Just 2 questions that I need some advice on:-
 
1. Have I got the water transfer pipes the correct way round?

2. I am concerned about the lack of clearance for the 5th gear housing and chassis - this surely cannot be right.... I have searched other members photographic rebuilds and it would appear that clearance is very tight in these areas. I am not too worried about the bracket for the external 5th gear/Reverse Indent as I can readily modify this, but the the plug for the internal selector shaft ball/spring is very close, should I modify (relieve) the rear transaxle mounting slightly in this area to give say 5mm ?? Or have I missed something? Note all mountings are new.         

[gideon]

I can't answer your questions, but I can say congratulations!

[Dilkris]

Thankyou!!  It was actually a 6 beer day..... and my wife came in the workshop and said "Oh - its a car...."     

[BDA]

Congratulations on your milestone, Dilkris! 

Your transfer pipes are installed correctly. I don’t have a 365 anymore but IIRC, the detent housing and cover are mounted on the rear tranny mount bracket so unless that piece is severely bent or you didn’t securely bolt it to the tranny, there really isn’t any leeway in how it’s mounted. In general, the cam should run pretty much on the center of the detent ball. I think you should be able to take it off and put it on while the tranny is installed in the car. I didn’t see anything in your picture that worried me.

If memory serves, the half height nut for the cam was originally a nylon lock nut. If finding a similar replacement is impractical, I would use something like blue loctite on that nut.

[S2Zetec54]

  well done...good milestone to reach...shame you aren't closer, would love to help. Sorry I can't help you...my ng3 looks quite different

[Richard48Y]

Looking at the last pic I would be worried.
Looks like aluminum and steel are in contact or very nearly so.
Have to wonder if you might be able to add a shim or spacer?
I would want at least 1/8" or 3mm.

[dakazman]

  Congratulations Dilkris,

   Dakazman

[Grumblebuns]

Chris,

Congrats on the great progress you've made in a relatively short period of time. The pictures look good.
I agree that the coolant tubes are correct and is it even possible to swap the tubes around?
I also don't see any problem with 5th gear detent in your picture. I've attached a photo of mine, not as clean as yours.

Joji Tokumoto

[Exlimey]

I don’t have the same,but here’s one I just ‘lifted’ from BAT

[Dilkris]

Thankyou all - all comments noted - looking at the photo's provided by Grumblebuns and ExLimey, the situation appears the same - and I agree with Richard48Y regarding wanting to see 1/8" or 3mm - I'm chasing 5mm as left as it is it will be transmitting through the chassis, specifically from the lower indent plug; think I'll re-work the area to give me 5mm clearance.   

BDA Quote " If memory serves, the half height nut for the cam was originally a nylon lock nut. If finding a similar replacement is impractical, I would use something like blue loctite on that nut" - yes you are correct; the existing arrangement is temporary as I intend to remove the external "Lotus" indent system for 5th and reverse, replacing it with the original indent and spring system in the 5th gear housing supported by a reverse lock out at the gear lever. (Well - I'm going to try and see how it works)   

[Richard48Y]

You made me look!
At my own car, to see if it has a similar issue.
But this is clearly a five-speed thing as my 336 has no such concern, plenty of clearance all around.

[Bainford]

Congrats on the progress. Nicely done.