Richie's Mk1 Restoration

[RichardT10829]

Well work continues, the engine block has gone to the machine shop to have the new cam bearings pressed in, and to cross check my work (after all it's my first v8) in the mean time I have been continuing the theme of cleaning bits up.... This mornings efforts was the gear stick. If you recall back and look at the earlier picks the gear knob was snapped off, and it was generally in a seized and rusty state.....

It had a trip to the molasses bath followed by a trip by the jet wash, and was ready to begin rebuild ! The reverse trigger was a metal one which was knackered so I am on the hunt for another folks (funds waiting just let me know)

I ground off the remains of the stub to level off the gear stick before checking a knob I had lying in amongst my spare parts bins.... A quick measurement of the knob insert that I had showed it to be 5/16... So out came the drill and taps, I then cut a bolt down to act as a studded bar, dialled it in then wound the knob on.... And she seems good to go !




Work is progressing slowly but surely, the engine is the last expensive hurdle, I hope to get her fully mobile by May, then I can concentrate on the pretty bits.... Time will tell, but as long as the lump works she should make it to W&P in one form or another...
I just need to work out the correct diameter rod for the push rods that run front to rear, I know they are 7'1" long.... Are they a high grade steel or just mild ???

[Lynn Eades]

Richard the rods are medium tensile 7/16" dia. To put the BSF thread on, put the rod in a lathe (support the rod) in the chuck. Put your die holder against the tailstock to keep it square, and carefully turning the chuck by hand, start cutting your thread.
If you search the threads I started you will find one with all the rod lengths for a riveted carrier.
Is the reverse lock out lever an alloy one? (MkI* should be?) they were a commercial item, and I think still available from Macs (not sure)
The Brit. one was steel and longer if I recall.
That is an interesting bend in the gear lever, which might cause you some problems in the gear lever gate. (they were straight)

On a second look the bend is above the gate.
BTW that mag loader box looks nice!

[RichardT10829]

Cheers Lynn, yes the trigger was alloy, bit gutted about being broke,,,,, but that's life.

I did not know the gear sticks were straight, wonder why that has been done (other than a large lumberjack could not get first without gouging himself with the gear stick)

I could not see any signs of it being heated either..

I think I will leave it like that for now then straighten it later after the carrier has been to W&P


(That's code for me bottling it)

[Lynn Eades]

I think the big lumberjack's hand was thown back under the vivid acceleration

[Dave Schindel]

The shift lever in my MKII has the same bends as Richies. Just for your info.Not sure that is relevant to yours,Rich.

[RichardT10829]

The step in the stick is normal, the photo here gives the illusion that the gear stick is bent back or as we say round here "banana'd"..... I have checked and it's straight....

[charlie fitton]

you are a fan of the molasses bath?