gearbox trouble

Hello guys,

I've just got a series 1 land rover 1958 88'' with a 2.25 petrol engine! I drove it 200 miles home the other day which it loved. I then took it to work and the gearstick started turning like a spoon in a cauldron. I guess this a linkage problem that is easily fixed. The next thing that happened was when I pulled the handbrake lever up it made a lovely "ping" sound and a pin fell out.

Being new to the vehicle I just phoned up my breakdown service to fix that problem. The pin was underneath where it had fallen out and it was a case of putting that back it.

When I went to pull away in first gear it struggled! Foot back on the clutch and it rolled back! So it was not a problem with the handbrake being on.

Eventually with a bit of coaxing a gentle clutch play we got it to move and it was not very fun. Lots of revs and not much movement, but I did have the ability to select all the gears. Forward speed was just a joke though. When I had to get it on the back of a tow truck it got so far and then the just gave up going forward. The clutch was fully out and i had a enough gas on to get it up if it could have been bother to try.

There was also a lovely buring smell appearing. The people I took it to wanted to put a new gearbox in. I said I would do it myself as they quoted a huge price of £1000 to fit a new one!!!!

Does anyone know what the cause might be, it might be simple? I think the gearbox is a bit ropey, so if I've got to take it out I may as well replace it along with a new clutch etc. Does anyone know what gearbox would be good to use I would love to have a 5 speed as I will eventually using it as an everyday vehicle. I've got a series 1 1958 88'' with 2.25 petrol fitted. What do all the numbers mean, lt77, lt230, r380??

I look forward to hearing your thoughts

Henry

It sounds to me like your gearbox is siezing, has the oil level been checked? other than a new box may be the only cure. although £1000 seems excessive.
I would suggest looking on Ebay and landrover mags for a good second hand one. They arn't a bad jod to do as a DIY project either if you get a free weekend.
lt77 and r380 are the main boxes fitted to defenders, as for the lt230 im not sure

I'll probably get flamed for this as my 'box identification is a little rusty. BUT isn't lt77 4sp from 'classic' RR? and LT77s same box with take-off points for oil cooler? Is R380 santana 'box? (manuals elsewhere at the moment). just been told lt230 santana box but that may be wrong too!
Either way, wouldn't easiest fix be a series 'box (£1000 should buy an excellent 'box with a decent quality LR attached!) LT77/230/R380 IIRC designed for coil-sprung and have diff. propshafts and need mods to fit. R380 fits V8 (also fitted to MGv8 etc) but series IIRC slots in. Get overdrive gearbox for '5th gear'. Transmission tunnel won't clear later boxes either so butchering required. Try your local ORC for info re: suitable 'boxes and transplant aids. Series 'box can be swapped by hand ( I did one before I learned about hoists, endless chains and friends to help!) but £1000 should buy a 'box with all new internals hand-polished on the thighs of 16-yr-old Filipino virgins (c. Fidel Castro,1965).

Checked oil levels (not being funny or taking the p**s) in both 'boxes?

Buy factory workshop manual or d/l from internet. Sounds a little like 'box is starting to sieze but oil may make all the difference.

If 'box is out it makes sense to replace clutch as a matter of course.

Well...

I think it was being a bit of a tempremental sod. I tightened the bolt othe side of the gear lever and now all is fine. I hate garages that think they can rip you off.

I do need to look at the clutch though.

On the subject of fillling the oil in the gearbox up, how do you take the main filler cap off the gearbox. All I have were the main filler hole is, is a flat piece of metal with a small 2mm (probably a breather hole) in it. Is this correct or am I meant to be able to grab hold of something and be able to turn it?

thank you

henry

If it's a II or III 'box, it shoud have a level plug on the back of the transfer boxnext to the h/b drum. Also earlier main 'boxes had filler on top & dipstick, later boxes had square-head filler(on lhs (and level plug)) on side.Square-head but 9/16 or 1/2 a/f should fit (IIRC)
Should be 1.5l main 'box, 2.5l xfer box (if II/III) but check FACTORY workshop manual. EP90 in both. If it's a SI box, I don't have a clue - don't even know if they're different sorry