Where Do I Cut?

[Dartmoor7]

I'd like to cut a hole in the passenger footwell to access the gearbox filler plug.

Has anyone seen a guide or template as to where to cut?

1994 1400SS 5-speed.

[Jonathan Kay]

Alcester Racing 7s.

Jonathan

[Dartmoor7]

Thanks Jonathan.

Although, as that's a race chassis I imagine I wouldn't be drilling right down at the footplate on my non-race chassis?

[SM25T]

Check from underneath first. On my car there is a chassis diagonal right across the filler plug ... so no access possible from footwell through tunnel wall.

[Dartmoor7]

Thanks for that.

 

Measure twice, cut once, eh?

[Wrightpayne]

I think you'd be able to use a bent bit of bar with a point on it (or something similar - length of 2x1 wood with a screw in it?) to make a divot in the ally next to the plug inside the tunnel so you can see where to drill in the footwell.

Ian

[Dartmoor7]

Thanks Ian, good idea.

[Sean2015]

I was pondering this approach as well but then someone posted an alternative solution, which appears better (I have not yet installed this myself). There is now a blog........Gearbox oil filler / dipstick modification.

Might be a better solution all round.

[Dartmoor7]

Maybe, if I ever have the 'box out.

[Drumster]

On my de dion 5-speed there was no need for the box to be out of the car. I simply removed the top plate and fitted said modification 

[Wrightpayne]

TBH I dont find checking/ filling that difficult - you have to get under there to grease the prop anyway.

I use a cut down allen key, attack from the drivers side (so fingers bend towards the plug) and use an old gear oil bottle to fill. The bottle has a 90 degree bend on the fill tube which also extends down to the bottom of the bottle so as you squeeze it, the oil is forced upwards.

Edited to say one of the latest comma bottles could be adapted, as the fill tube is already pushed down into the bottle - just needs an extension tube.

Ian

[Paul Richards]

LADS TOP TIP - Using a gear oil bottle is hard work. Use an oil can (less than £4 from Machine Mart). Attach a piece of clear plastic tube (similar to that used for windscreen washers). Also use one for diff top up. 

[Jonathan Kay]

1. Agree with Aeroscreens in post #10: you can fit and remove the top plate in situ. For some reason I did this during the build. But I'd borrow some smaller hands if I had to do it again.
2. Agree with Ian in post #11: now I've got a cut-down hex key AND THE RIGHT SORT OF RATCHET SPANNER it's not too difficult. But my prop joints are greased while it's up on the ramp for the MoT inspection.
3. As with draining, filling is easier with warm oil.

Jonathan