Hi,
Can anybody send me pictures of the Gear selector mechanism as viewd form underneath the gearbox. My puma donor gearbox has a shaft pointing backwards how does that translate to a gear selector forward of the engine? Or am I missing something! Idiot question perhaps!

This is the gear system for my Mojo which is (afaik) the same as the J15.

Link

Several pics on there that also show what I replaced the nasty linear bearing with!

Ed.

This is fantastically informative as usual. It says in the Sylva Contsruction Guide that you need bits from a Fiesta Zetec SE. It also mentions the Vaxhaul part. It also advises a possible alternative Sylva part needing a second Ford UJ. What are the pro's and cons of all this?

Have a look here at the May 8th/9th entries for 2006 - they show quite a bit of detail about the gear linkage for the Riot which is the same as mine, and I hope the same as yours?!

The main advantage of this system is that it works, and it works well! You can get the bits easily from eBay (search for people breaking these cars).

The disadvantages are that the ground clearance under the sump is restricted by the gear linkage arm, and that the linear bearing is a little bit vulnerable to road dirt. The ground clearance has never been a problem for me, and I replaced the linear bearing with a machined bushing anyway to get around the dirt problem.

Alternatives: I have seen some people using the twin cable gear change system from later Fiestas and Focus' (Focii?) which normally entails at least a bell-crank and some extra bracketry. This may or may not be a better/reliable system.

Here's a quick sketch from JP showing how the linkages all fit together.


Sylva gear linkage drawing

Ed.

What gear linkage has Jeremy made your chassis to suit, the vauxhaul part or Sylvas own link rod?

I would ring Jeremy and have a chat with him as the J15 chassis is fabricated to suit one or the other. Also find out what parts of the linkage assembly are included in your kit.

The doner car will have the UJ you may need.

It may also help if you put your location in your profile? Whereabouts are you?
Ed.

Hi
The gear linkage i have from rear to front is first Jeremys own rod which goes thru the linear bearing then the Puma UJ and some shaft which then fits to the vauxhall part in the centre tunnel hope i havent confused the issue.

Nick M

Just picked up the kit, Jeremy has supplied all the parts with his own design + £35.00