What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Mike Costigan]

Sort of, Jim! The early 'gate'-change gearbox had first and reverse on the right; I believe the reversed layout came with the introduction of the 'ball'-change in October 1929, but then the layout reverted to the earlier pattern in July 1930 and remained until the end of the 3-speed gearbox in 1932. But as you point out, the tops are interchangeable.

[rubyman]

Stripped the carb on my Ruby today Zenith 26 VA found no filter on the pipe bolt going into the carb and some one had soldered a new nipple on to the pipe and half filled the pipe with solder so that the pipe inside diameter was cut down by half     

Why can't people do the job right

[GK5268]

Cleaned and re-painted a spare gearlever that I had just acquired, decided might as well fit it to the car now with its nice shiny new paint and a quick swap over I could see that this was in much better condition with quite a bit less wear than the original, after fitting, gave it a quick spin round the block, gear selection feels more precise (but it was ok before) and an annoying little rattle from the gearlever at certain revs has now gone, pleased with the result!

On inspection of the original gearlever, after a quick clean-up, I noticed that this had at some point in the past been broken and repaired, finish is not the best! Will get my blacksmith to improve matters in due course and now designated as a spare to keep in the car. (Did it break because it was worn???).

[attachment=5017][attachment=5018][attachment=5019]

[bob46320]

Probably from my Dad's car. He taught Mum to drive and for extra practice sent her off solo down a cart track along the cliffs between Runton and Cromer in Norfolk UK. Apparently she returned on foot with the gear lever in her hand ! I think he had an RP at the time.

[spannerman]

Stripped the carb on my Ruby today Zenith 26 VA found no filter on the pipe bolt going into the carb and some one had soldered a new nipple on to the pipe and half filled the pipe with solder so that the pipe inside diameter was cut down by half     

Why can't people do the job right

Its a fact of life some people bodge ?

[Chris KC]

Cleaned and re-painted a spare gearlever that I had just acquired, decided might as well fit it to the car now with its nice shiny new paint and a quick swap over I could see that this was in much better condition with quite a bit less wear than the original, after fitting, gave it a quick spin round the block, gear selection feels more precise (but it was ok before) and an annoying little rattle from the gearlever at certain revs has now gone, pleased with the result!

On inspection of the original gearlever, after a quick clean-up, I noticed that this had at some point in the past been broken and repaired, finish is not the best! Will get my blacksmith to improve matters in due course and now designated as a spare to keep in the car. (Did it break because it was worn???).

They crack from the groove for the circlip which notionally secures the domed chrome gear indicator plate; I've broken two now.

[jansens]

I took out the engine I put in the other day. Seems something is a bit off in the gearbox. It all worked on the bench fine but now in the car the 1/2 synchro seems stuck. Bit of grit in the works maybe? Took the engine out again, box off and I will strip it all down and clean it all up again. I did have to modify my remote gear lever. I had made it far too short so I have reworked it to give me more leverage. Perhaps when struggling with the short version I put something out of whack in the box? With my little lifting scaffold though I can get the engine in and out in no time.

Simon

[Chris KC]

I took out the engine I put in the other day. Seems something is a bit off in the gearbox. It all worked on the bench fine but now in the car the 1/2 synchro seems stuck. Bit of grit in the works maybe? Took the engine out again, box off and I will strip it all down and clean it all up again. I did have to modify my remote gear lever. I had made it far too short so I have reworked it to give me more leverage. Perhaps when struggling with the short version I put something out of whack in the box? With my little lifting scaffold though I can get the engine in and out in no time.

Simon

Did you put in new balls and springs Simon? This can make selection very stiff to start with.

[GK5268]

Cleaned and re-painted a spare gearlever that I had just acquired, decided might as well fit it to the car now with its nice shiny new paint and a quick swap over I could see that this was in much better condition with quite a bit less wear than the original, after fitting, gave it a quick spin round the block, gear selection feels more precise (but it was ok before) and an annoying little rattle from the gearlever at certain revs has now gone, pleased with the result!

On inspection of the original gearlever, after a quick clean-up, I noticed that this had at some point in the past been broken and repaired, finish is not the best! Will get my blacksmith to improve matters in due course and now designated as a spare to keep in the car. (Did it break because it was worn???).

They crack from the groove for the circlip which notionally secures the domed chrome gear indicator plate; I've broken two now.

That would reduce the diameter of the shaft at that point making it weaker and thus more vulnerable to failure at that point. Were your two breaks with the same car? Do the three-speed gear levers have the same problem?

Chatting to a mechanical engineer about the problem, he said that failure was most likely from vibration causing metal fatigue, the long stem setting this up to fail, dealing with the vibration may help longevity, probably a bit too late in the day now given how old the cars are and the amount of vibration they would have experienced!

The repaired lever is probably much stronger, pity that this is more worn that the one I have just fitted!

I have this wrapped up as a spare and popped it in the car, just in case!

[Chris KC]

Cleaned and re-painted a spare gearlever that I had just acquired, decided might as well fit it to the car now with its nice shiny new paint and a quick swap over I could see that this was in much better condition with quite a bit less wear than the original, after fitting, gave it a quick spin round the block, gear selection feels more precise (but it was ok before) and an annoying little rattle from the gearlever at certain revs has now gone, pleased with the result!

On inspection of the original gearlever, after a quick clean-up, I noticed that this had at some point in the past been broken and repaired, finish is not the best! Will get my blacksmith to improve matters in due course and now designated as a spare to keep in the car. (Did it break because it was worn???).

They crack from the groove for the circlip which notionally secures the domed chrome gear indicator plate; I've broken two now.

That would reduce the diameter of the shaft at that point making it weaker and thus more vulnerable to failure at that point. Were your two breaks with the same car? Do the three-speed gear levers have the same problem?

Chatting to a mechanical engineer about the problem, he said that failure was most likely from vibration causing metal fatigue, the long stem setting this up to fail, dealing with the vibration may help longevity, probably a bit too late in the day now given how old the cars are and the amount of vibration they would have experienced!

The repaired lever is probably much stronger, pity that this is more worn that the one I have just fitted!

I have this wrapped up as a spare and popped it in the car, just in case!

Not just smaller section but the machined groove is a stress raiser. When you think about the leverage applied it is positively begging for a fatigue failure long term. No, two different cars but both 4-speed. I don't think 3-speed ball change levers have this groove as the gate is marked on the gearbox top (though that perhaps does not make them immune either). If properly welded you should be good to go, and it can of course be tidied up with a little attention from a grinder.