Marcos Maniacs

Now I've done it.  On the last ride of the year (last weekend) I lost 
4th gear completely.  Won't even go into gear sitting at idle (just 
grinds).  It has been getting progressively worse over the last 
couple thousand miles.  The linkage all looks fine and the other 
gears engage smoothly.  

Question:  Can I remove the gearbox without removing the engine??  
It's a V6.

If I have to remove the engine/gearbox to repair I then have a few 
options:

1. Repair the existing gearbox and reinstall. Chance to rebuild 
overdrive also. I like the originality part.

2. Convert to 5 speed.  Who makes bellhousings for early model (pre-
1970) Essex V6's??  Burton Power only has bellhousings for the later 
Essex V6s'.

3.  Install Rover 3.5 liter V8 and 5 speed.

4.  Sell car and buy a new Ginetta G-4!

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Don Lattimer :(
#3m5759
Willits, CA

Hi Don
   Options 3 and 4 really turn my crank!!!!!!!!
               Cheers Dave #5577
P.S.Using option 4 you can always keep the Marcos for Sunday drives   
       









--- In MarcosManiacs@y..., "Don Lattimer" <donlattimer@p...> wrote:
> Now I've done it.  On the last ride of the year (last weekend) I 
lost 

> 4th gear completely.  Won't even go into gear sitting at idle (just 
> grinds).  It has been getting progressively worse over the last 
> couple thousand miles.  The linkage all looks fine and the other 
> gears engage smoothly.  
> 
> Question:  Can I remove the gearbox without removing the engine??  
> It's a V6.
> 
> If I have to remove the engine/gearbox to repair I then have a few 
> options:
> 
> 1. Repair the existing gearbox and reinstall. Chance to rebuild 
> overdrive also. I like the originality part.
> 
> 2. Convert to 5 speed.  Who makes bellhousings for early model (pre-
> 1970) Essex V6's??  Burton Power only has bellhousings for the later 
> Essex V6s'.
> 
> 3.  Install Rover 3.5 liter V8 and 5 speed.
> 
> 4.  Sell car and buy a new Ginetta G-4!
> 
> Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Don Lattimer :(
> #3m5759
> Willits, CA

Hi Don, to install a Rover V8 with 5-speed gearbox is a fantastic idea and combination - myself owner of Mantula V8 - but to change for a Ginetta G4 is a joke,

Hi Don,

It sounds like your syncromesh has gone on 4th gear. I don't have any
experience with the V6 cars but with my Volvo, even though it's possible to
remove the gearbox separately, it's easier just to take the engine and
gearbox out together and it doesn't take much longer to do. Having done
that, your various options will involve having your car off the road for
various periods of time:-

1. Similar to what I did last winter without the 4th gear problem, though I
did have my gearbox rebuild some years ago with new bearings, etc. I had my
overdrive rebuilt with new bearings and seals. It's the one component, along
with the gearbox and rear diff, that I leave to the experts. Everything else
I do myself.

2. If you can find the parts, it would probably be a better option than 1
from a practical perspective though it wouldn't be original. You would have
more success sourcing the parts in England and having them shipped over. I
just sourced some rebuild kits there for my Solex 45s that I was told were
no longer available in Sweden or over here. There are a lot of companies
which recondition drivetrain components in England for very reasonable
prices. 

3. The engine and gearbox will be easier to source but you will need to make
changes to your chassis to accommodate these units. There's an article in a
back issue of Torque magazine regarding this conversion. It isn't a trivial
undertaking.

4. You're joking, right. I'm not even going to address this option other
than to say you'd have to fix it before you sold it.

Good luck.

Regards,

Paul Dransfield
3 litre Volvo

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Lattimer [mailto:donlattimer@...]
Sent: October 30, 2002 11:50 PM
To: MarcosManiacs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MarcosManiacs] No 4th gear !


Now I've done it.  On the last ride of the year (last weekend) I lost 
4th gear completely.  Won't even go into gear sitting at idle (just 
grinds).  It has been getting progressively worse over the last 
couple thousand miles.  The linkage all looks fine and the other 
gears engage smoothly.  

Question:  Can I remove the gearbox without removing the engine??  
It's a V6.

If I have to remove the engine/gearbox to repair I then have a few 
options:

1. Repair the existing gearbox and reinstall. Chance to rebuild 
overdrive also. I like the originality part.

2. Convert to 5 speed.  Who makes bellhousings for early model (pre-
1970) Essex V6's??  Burton Power only has bellhousings for the later 
Essex V6s'.

3.  Install Rover 3.5 liter V8 and 5 speed.

4.  Sell car and buy a new Ginetta G-4!

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Don Lattimer :(
#3m5759
Willits, CA



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Don
	Mike gave you some sound advice (check the oil, pull the top off
etc.).  I would get moving on those items ASAP.  I've pulled my transmission
out of 5916 several times and it is not that difficult (I understand we have
completely different cars,) but in general if you:
One: get the car up on blocks or a lift and remove the drive shaft (great
time to check the universal joints)
Two: Free up the motor and transmission mounts and block up the bell housing

Three: My transmission slides back then down and out (make sure you are set
up to handle the weight, early 4 speeds in general are not light!)
Four: Rebuilding your transmission may not be as bad as you think, but I
would try to get a manual (I followed the directions and it turned out to be
kind of fun)
Five: If your transmission is out, I would also replace the clutch and
through out bearing, a bad thought bearing could/may be putting undue loads
on your transmission synchronizers
Six: If you no longer want the car I will buy it as is, if you promise to
let me drive the Ginetta!
	Best of luck
	Stephen
PS:  A re-power is a huge undertaking, and CA DMV is not big on the Rover
V8, the car may have to be emission tested again based on the year of the
engine!  I would check this out very carefully with the state before you get
too far down that road.

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Lattimer [mailto:donlattimer@...]
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 8:50 PM
To: MarcosManiacs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MarcosManiacs] No 4th gear !


Now I've done it.  On the last ride of the year (last weekend) I lost 
4th gear completely.  Won't even go into gear sitting at idle (just 
grinds).  It has been getting progressively worse over the last 
couple thousand miles.  The linkage all looks fine and the other 
gears engage smoothly.  

Question:  Can I remove the gearbox without removing the engine??  
It's a V6.

If I have to remove the engine/gearbox to repair I then have a few 
options:

1. Repair the existing gearbox and reinstall. Chance to rebuild 
overdrive also. I like the originality part.

2. Convert to 5 speed.  Who makes bellhousings for early model (pre-
1970) Essex V6's??  Burton Power only has bellhousings for the later 
Essex V6s'.

3.  Install Rover 3.5 liter V8 and 5 speed.

4.  Sell car and buy a new Ginetta G-4!

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Don Lattimer :(
#3m5759
Willits, CA



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Don,
I have a 1974 Capri 2.8 V6 drivetrain in #8083, I know thats 
different than your Essex 3 Litre, but since it's still Ford, the 
bell housings may match...
The reason I mention it is that the European Ford T-9 5 speed is a 
direct bolt in replacement for the Capri 4 speed.
The only car Ford imported with it was the Merkur, and only 500 of 
those were 5 speeds, however Pierce Transmission imports them and 
sells a conversion kit for changing MG's to 5 speeds.  I contacted 
them and they would sell the tranny alone, reconditioned for I 
believe about $700.00.   The website is www.piercemanifolds.com and 
you'd have to verify that the bell housings are the same.   I was 
going to do the switch, but after I got the other problems sorted out 
I decided it wasn't worth the $$$.

As far as #4, are you looking at the kit with the Mazda mechanicals
(www.motoamericainc.com), or the built car with Ford Zetec engines
(www.goginetta.com)

Personally, I think you should go for the Beck Lister...
http://www.kitcar.com/beck/home.html

Good luck, 
Paul
--- In MarcosManiacs@y..., "Don Lattimer" <donlattimer@p...> wrote:
> Now I've done it.  On the last ride of the year (last weekend) I 
lost 
> 4th gear completely.  Won't even go into gear sitting at idle (just 
> grinds).  It has been getting progressively worse over the last 
> couple thousand miles.  The linkage all looks fine and the other 
> gears engage smoothly.  
> 
> Question:  Can I remove the gearbox without removing the engine??  
> It's a V6.
> 
> If I have to remove the engine/gearbox to repair I then have a few 
> options:
> 
> 1. Repair the existing gearbox and reinstall. Chance to rebuild 
> overdrive also. I like the originality part.
> 
> 2. Convert to 5 speed.  Who makes bellhousings for early model (pre-
> 1970) Essex V6's??  Burton Power only has bellhousings for the 
later 

> Essex V6s'.
> 
> 3.  Install Rover 3.5 liter V8 and 5 speed.
> 
> 4.  Sell car and buy a new Ginetta G-4!
> 
> Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Don Lattimer :(
> #3m5759
> Willits, CA

Dan,     
I just notist a 1973 TVR M2500 for sale in the San Francisco Chronicle this 
morning for $6500.
1.More costly than a new trans.
2.Cheeper than a Ginetta.
3.Less costly than a short stay in the hospital.
4.Keep up with Mike Denman.
Mark Petrinovich.#5957

Paul,

The only bellhousing that works for the five speed is from a Capri 
MkII 3.0 litre or something to that effect.  Very few were made.  
I'm going to repair the existing gearbox and maintain the 
originality of the car.  Mine even still has the optional "radio 
suppression kit".  The only change I've made is installing a CD 
player.

The Ginetta I was looking at was the one from www.goginetta.com That 
is the company started by two of the original four brothers who 
started the company.  Nice little car (very little) but no creature 
comforts such as roll-up windows, etc.  Yes, the Beck Lister would 
be fun but again impractical.  Guess I'll just wait until I win the 
lotto and get a Lamborghini Miura SV.  Then maybe I'll stop 
dreaming! 

Back to the gearbox........  I think I have a Ford Type 5 gearbox (4-
speed, 3 rail box).  Anyone confirm that??  Used with Capri 3.0.

Don Lattimer
#3m5759
Willits, CA


--- In MarcosManiacs@y..., "Paul Weidner" <pweidn@c...> wrote:
> Don,
> I have a 1974 Capri 2.8 V6 drivetrain in #8083, I know thats 
> different than your Essex 3 Litre, but since it's still Ford, the 
> bell housings may match...
> The reason I mention it is that the European Ford T-9 5 speed is a 
> direct bolt in replacement for the Capri 4 speed.
> The only car Ford imported with it was the Merkur, and only 500 of 
> those were 5 speeds, however Pierce Transmission imports them and 
> sells a conversion kit for changing MG's to 5 speeds.  I contacted 
> them and they would sell the tranny alone, reconditioned for I 
> believe about $700.00.   The website is www.piercemanifolds.com 
and 
> you'd have to verify that the bell housings are the same.   I was 
> going to do the switch, but after I got the other problems sorted 
out 
> I decided it wasn't worth the $$$.
> 
> As far as #4, are you looking at the kit with the Mazda mechanicals
> (www.motoamericainc.com), or the built car with Ford Zetec engines
> (www.goginetta.com)
> 
> Personally, I think you should go for the Beck Lister...
> http://www.kitcar.com/beck/home.html
> 
> Good luck, 
> Paul
> --- In MarcosManiacs@y..., "Don Lattimer" <donlattimer@p...> wrote:
> > Now I've done it.  On the last ride of the year (last weekend) I 
> lost 
> > 4th gear completely.  Won't even go into gear sitting at idle 
(just 
> > grinds).  It has been getting progressively worse over the last 
> > couple thousand miles.  The linkage all looks fine and the other 
> > gears engage smoothly.  
> > 
> > Question:  Can I remove the gearbox without removing the 
engine??  
> > It's a V6.
> > 
> > If I have to remove the engine/gearbox to repair I then have a 
few 
> > options:
> > 
> > 1. Repair the existing gearbox and reinstall. Chance to rebuild 
> > overdrive also. I like the originality part.
> > 
> > 2. Convert to 5 speed.  Who makes bellhousings for early model 
(pre-

> > 1970) Essex V6's??  Burton Power only has bellhousings for the 
> later 
> > Essex V6s'.
> > 
> > 3.  Install Rover 3.5 liter V8 and 5 speed.
> > 
> > 4.  Sell car and buy a new Ginetta G-4!
> > 
> > Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> > 
> > Don Lattimer :(
> > #3m5759
> > Willits, CA