Gear Lever - where does this go?

[Dilkris]

Can someone please tell me where the 1/2" mild steel spacer is fitted? The aluminum castings obviously contain the ball joint assembly but does the spacer in question go on top of the chassis tunnel or beneath it? (If is goes beneath it - it effectively does nothing...  so I guess it goes on top to lift the fulcrum point of the gear lever/first gear lever shaft hinge point - is that correct..) Sorry I am talking to myself here it seems       

[TurboFource]

My TCS didn't have a spacer ....

[Dilkris]

This is interesting - TBH I don't see the purpose of it - unless it is to move the gear lever and first gear shaft upwards and away (or closer to) the water cooling pipes/handbrake cables or speedo drive...  Interestingly it is a purpose machined packer made from 1/2" mild steel - at todays prices it would not be cheap.....
I'll wait and see it we have any more feedback - if not - I'll leave it out. 

[jbcollier]

Check the parts fiche.  If it’s not there then DPO strikes again.

[Dilkris]

Not shown in parts diagram..... but that's nothing new 

[GavinT]

Don't believe it's a Europa part.

But don't throw it away just yet. I expect it'll come in handy when you build the spring compressor you've yet to realise you'll need. 

[Dilkris]

But don't throw it away just yet. I expect it'll come in handy when you build the spring compressor you've yet to realise you'll need. 

  )Been there done that !!!!
Installing this gear lever/linkage assembly is the very LAST job (of significance) on this Europa "Go Kart..."
After this its brake lines, refurbish wheels and alternator install - then look at it for a couple of weeks thinking "what have I missed...?" Then I'll start her up for the first time in some 20 years - (maybe longer tbh  ), following this - I'll start on the body     

[4129R]

Those plates are different between a TC and a TCS, but neither have I seen either with the plain spacer plate.

If the two others make a perfect case or the gear leaver ball joint. IMHO the spacer is superfluous.

[Dilkris]

  Seems strange though - spacer is really well made

[4129R]

If it was an original Lotus fitment, it can only go on top of the two gear lever sandwich plates.

Have you bolts long enough to go through the plates into the tapped thread in the bottom plate?

I seem to remember the heads are 3/8", so the bolts would be 3/16" UNF.

[Dilkris]

My UNF bolts that fit (from a collection) have a 5/16" head, I do not have the original bolts - this "packer" was in my "box of bits" with the gear lever and original sandwich plates. The replacement and new components, (as I opted to replace this assembly comprising rose joint and sandwich plates are tapped for 5mm). Note: You will recall that only one of the sandwich plates is tapped - the other has clearance holes.
I agree - it could only go "on top" - but this would be between the sandwich plates containing the rose joint and the chassis and the only reason I could see that you would want to do this would be to raise the fulcrum point of the gear lever/1st section of gear change shaft inside the tunnel.
I think it is a PO mystery and I will leave it out of the install.     
   

[Dilkris]

OK - never mind the spacer....  )which way are the sandwich plates mounted?? Option 1 or 2.?
I fail to understand why one of the sandwich plates are drilled and tapped. 
Option 2 would obviously make the install easier.......   

[TurboFource]

They are both on top of the chassis.....the easier option

[4129R]

Of all the TCs I have worked on, none have had any block above the chassis. All had both halves below the chassis.

[Dilkris]

They are both on top of the chassis.....the easier option

Easier....? If the gear lever without rose joint, is attached to the first actuating shaft and then passed as a complete assembly through the chassis, (which would seem to make sense), having both sandwich plates above the chassis would mean you could do this, BUT, you would then have to assemble the rose joint and retaining circlip once the gear lever had passed through the lower sandwich, thereafter fitting the second sandwich plate....