Wide Ratio Gearbox And 1380 Engine Build by AndyMiniMad

6 minute(s) of a 171 minute read

Head all built up...I took the rockers apart and fitted a couple of washers to centralise them over the valves..





New heater take off valve fitted.

12-10-2011

Primary drive gear fitted and checked for end float...It was way off so I got a new thicker thrust washer and did it again..



old one!!



New one!!



New end float...



Perfect...

12-11-2011

Ive rebuilt the gearbox again!! new baulk rings and bearings...and its now a standard ratio box with a 3.44 FD...and this nice shiny cross pin diff from Guessworks...



Ive redone the the diff preload which is a pain in the arse to get right...but Iv got it to within a thou of perfect...gap plus gasket was 0.01" Im hoping that the hylomar will make up the difference..



The preload should be 4 thou according to the Minispares web site...??

Oh! and I got Haggis's block back from having a fresh hone...so I gave it a quick coat of red...



This gearbox is next for a rebuild and will go under the other 1380 engine...Its all getting a bit confuseing trying to build two engines and three gearboxes at the same time!!

12-17-2011

So thats the first box complete and fitted to its engine..



New core plugs fitted..



Timing gear fitted...



I did time the cam in with my DTI..although it was not really nessessary..



If your interested on how its done then here is a link to my Cam timing Thread..

http://www.theminifo...l=&fromsearch=1

12-18-2011

Ive been out in the cold freezing garage doing a bit more. Shiming the idler gear....Yuck! anyway its sorted now and I reckon I got it bang on..so no more rattly gears at the trafic lights...I hope..





The depth turns out to be 1.008"



Next I measured the thickness of the gasket..



Its 0.032" which when fitted will sqwoosh down to 0.03"

The thickness of the steel rule is 0.08"



And the idler gear itself is 0.686"



So now we can calculate the shim thickness required by adding the depth of the housing to the thickness of the gasket

1.008 + 0.030 = 1.038"

Next we subtract the thicknes of the idler gear 0.686" and the thickness of the steel rule 0.08" from 1.038"

1.038" - 0.686" - 0.08" = 0.272"

So this is the thickness of the shims required to fill the rest of the gap..But we need and end float of 0.004" so Im looking for a couple of shims at 0.268"



Found a couple that are perfect...it doesnt matter if one is slightly thicker than the other so long as the total thickness adds up to whats required..

So thats me ready to put it all together..

12-21-2011

All fitted together...



Transfer housing fitted and new clutch..



This is how I lock the flywheel..



Head on and thats it almost ready to refit..Just need to figure out the speedo drive...Guessworks web site will be getting another hit.

12-27-2011

Well thats this engine ready to drop into "Haggis" The other 1380 engine has had a glaze bust and will be getting the full build treatment as soon as I finish the other gearbox. I have remembered which bits go in which gearbox so its full steam ahead for the next few days...Pics of the other 1380 will follow shortly...Its the quicker of the two engines, or at least its higher speced anyway..and will be going in the clubman "Tatties"...

12-31-2011

I got a parts washer for Xmas so ive been busy making everything shiny...have built up the other gearbox but its really tight. I have heard that some of the new baulk rings you get these days are locking onto the gears and not allowing things to turn freely. I will contact Guessworks for advice...I hope I dont have to strip it all down again..Ive kept the old baulk rings just in case..