'84 Sprint shift linkage

[smross]

I'm settling in with my recently-acquired '84 X-flow Sprint and I can say, without hesitation, that it is the most fun I've ever had in an automobile. It really does put a smile on my face every time I take it out for a run.  I just hope I don't lose my license!

Anyway, to the point.  My car has the Escort 4-speed transmission.  Should there be a spring preload between the 1-2 and the 3-4 gates, for example?  Should reverse be locked out so it cannot be engaged accidentally?

My car has none of the above. The linkage is a little stiff (compared to my '90 Miata) and I can just as easily select reverse as first if I'm not careful.  Other than that, the car shifts fine, never pops out of gear and has short throws from gear to gear.  Just curious if my linkage is missing a spring or something.

Thanks in advance.

Best,

SM Ross

[elie boone]

There are no extra springs in the linkage, i guess it's just a case of getting to know your 7.

[Gun Bunny]

The device forcing you to push down on the gear stick to engage reverse is removed from the gearbox tail housing when the 4 speed remote linkage is used. The remote linkage has its own reverse gear stop fitted under the remote gear lever that prevents accidental engagement of reverse.

See section 10 of the build manual.

Olly

[elie boone]

Mr shiny is right, there is a stop for reverse gear, it is mounted on the chassis and can be adjusted.

[smross]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll consult the build manual as suggested by Mr. Shiny.

Best, 

SM Ross

[Gloucestershire AR]

The shift is worth spending time setting up for the best gearchange too. If it feels sloppy, it may need new plastic bushes (Caterham or Redline can supply) - not expensive and a bit fiddly to fit (and you need to remove the transmission tunnel cover and carpet first, as you will to check the reverse gear stop. If it's been tightened down too much that could explain the stiff gearchange and may mask those worn bushes too. Worth checking all the nuts and bolts while the transmission tunnel cover is off too.

To get the ultimate gearchange you can add a couple of long bolts and three nuts each to more rigidly link the two parallel bars that run from the 'box to the remote gearlever. That way you can get everything nice and parallel.

It's just possible the car may have been fitted with a short shift kit - tried it on my car years ago and, though the throw was delighfully short, the change was very stiff and 'unnatural' and I quickly reverted back to original spec.

You'll quickly get used to there being no natural spring towards 3/4 - but do beware if you let anyone else drive the car!

Enjoy the car - great spec and you'll have lots of fun.

Andy

[smross]

 

Mr Shiney, I looked at section 10 of the build manual and found the reverse adjustment you referred to. Looks like a simple adjustment (but it rarely turns out that way, at least for me).  One thing that I found to be interesting was that the manual states that one has to depress the gear lever in order to find reverse on the Escort 4-speed. Is that the case? 

Andy, thanks for your response as well. The linkage is tight; I just have that reverse issue.  Honestly, I have no idea what you're referring to regarding the installation of additional long bolts in the linkage but I'm sure it will make sense once I have a look at it. It sounds like a virtually free mod. that will increase the quality of the gear change.  That can't be a bad thing!

I'll report back after I've f-cked up the whole thing and sent the car out to to be repaired properly;-))

Best,

SM Ross

 

[Gun Bunny]

sm

Yes the 4 speed requires a push down on the gear stick to engage reverse, as others have mentioned it has no spring mechanism to position the gear stick towards the 3rd-4th gear position as you get on 5 speed gearboxes..

olly