Hi, I trial fitted my engine last week and have a couple of issues that I'd like feedback on...

My set up is a 1.8 Pinto with a type 9 gearbox. The gearbox crossmember is the small one that remains after removing the large one on the Sierra.

As things stand at the moment, the gearbox crossmember rests on the top surface of the MK provided brackets. The centre of the gearbox drive shaft is around 1cm higher than the centre of the diff flange.

The gearbox bell housing protrudes around 1.25 inches below the lower chassis rail.

It's been suggested that I lower the gearbox by placing the crossmember underneath the brackets and insert a small spacer so that the centres are at the same height, however, to do so would leave the bell housing around 1.75 inches below the chassis.

How typical is this set up and what have other's done?

Thanks

I fabricated a plate and spacers so using the two flanges on the chassis and used spacers to lower the plate so the uprated gearbox mount bought from westfield as the standard item i heard isn't up to the job, is then bolted to it, i also made a gearbox extension so the lever sits in the narrower piece of the trans tunnel. pic here: http://www.geocities.com/drusling/westfied_remote.jpg and

http://www.geocities.com/drusling/westfieldgearshift.jpg

M

[Edited on 20/9/03 by macspeedy]

Thanks macspeedy

Does your gearbox protrude below the chassis by the same amount as mine will?

yeah, its steel, what sump are you using the rs200 alloy one is good but still sticks below the car, another thing is mine probably sticks lower due to the remote linkage system adding a little height to the gearbox..

I had my sump modified by MK engineering. The lowest point is the bell housing, the sump is aroun 1cm higher than the bottom of the bellhousing.

So what sort of ground clearance is there on your car between the sump / bellhousing and the ground?

not sure only just today got it on wheels and these aren't the right dia so difficult to say, enough!

Mk sell a "Gearbox Mounting Plate (to lower Ford Type 9-Pinto 2ltr)"

£14.10, any good?

Cheers

Chris

I heard about some "loon" who turned up at the last Tiger open day with just 25mm of ground clearance!!!

I don't think lowering it by 1cm is going to be the problem, I can mount the gearbox crossmember on the underside of the bracket and insert a thick washer, that should be close enough.

The real problem is the 1.75 inches of bellhousing that appear below the chassis, if anything I'd prefer to raise the diff but I don't think that's going to happen.

I suspect that I'll have to live with the lower bell housing (as I suspect other's have had to) and possibly raise the suspension a tad to provide adequate clearance.

maybe make some sort of protection around it, skid bars maybe? would be easy to weld a few tubes at an angle so they would take any impact for the bellhousing. just a thought...

My sump/bellhousing is approx 1.75" off the ground. By the time the front uprights have been reamed/springs wound out to correct length, tyres pumped up etc, think that should be more like 2.75-3.00", which I think will be fine for most roads (and humps!).

I'll probably make up a sump guard for piece of mind.

ATB

Simon

Over here 4 inches is the minimum legal ground clearance.

That's my 2c (approx 1/3 of 1p).

Cheers,
Greg H

There's no legal requirement in the UK - but 4+ inches is strongly recommended as that's the height of most speed humps... and they're everywhere!

David