29-07-2020, 08:11 PM
'Box is back together, back in the car and has road tested well, so - for now - I'm calling it fixed 
Under closer inspection it really didn't appear to be in poor or even particularly worn condition - certainly not enough to warrant a full strip and rebuild. I was able to re-insert all the balls and springs with care and get them back under the first gear cog with the use of a jubilee clip and some grease.... phew!
Re-setting the selectors finished the job and all gears now select properly.
Hopefully it will continue to operate as intended and I'll avoid another instance of a jammed 'box... at least I'll know what it is if it happens again and I've been able to get up close and personal with another component of the old girl - which is always fun!
All part of the experience of running a machine that is by any modern measure 'exceptionally old'
Under closer inspection it really didn't appear to be in poor or even particularly worn condition - certainly not enough to warrant a full strip and rebuild. I was able to re-insert all the balls and springs with care and get them back under the first gear cog with the use of a jubilee clip and some grease.... phew!
Re-setting the selectors finished the job and all gears now select properly.
Hopefully it will continue to operate as intended and I'll avoid another instance of a jammed 'box... at least I'll know what it is if it happens again and I've been able to get up close and personal with another component of the old girl - which is always fun!
All part of the experience of running a machine that is by any modern measure 'exceptionally old'