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Post by harry on Dec 11, 2017 13:53:17 GMT 1
Hi there,
Have some gearbox woes with my 1986 mk2 Transit (dormobile conversion / ex community ambulance).
Has been in the garage for 2 weeks now. Spoke to them today and they said they are having trouble locating the parts. Just trying to get through to the transmission garage who are actually working on the gearbox to see what the exact problem is (van was too big to go on their ramp so had to have a commercial garage take the box out and send to them).
What I've gathered from ebay / forums is that the mk2 wasn't fitted with a 5 speed gearbox until 1986, which was the last year of production. What is the deal here? Was this gearbox literally only in production for a year? Or was it used at all for the mk3? I gather that the 1986 box has the gear stick fitted to the side whereas the mk3 box (mt-75?) has the stick fitted to the top.
Could anyone clear this up for me? If this particular gearbox was only in production for a few years it might explain why the parts are so difficult to get hold as there seems to be a fair amount of parts of the 4 speed york gearbox online.
Sorry if I have misunderstood anything,
Harry
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Post by harry on Dec 11, 2017 14:14:06 GMT 1
Just looking further online would I be right in thinking that my van has a type 9 gearbox also used in the Mk3 up until 1988?
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Post by FredTransit on Dec 11, 2017 17:04:46 GMT 1
I don't think the Mk2 had a factory gearbox, though there wasn't one in the brochure. We bought a brand new Mk2 in 1986, and there was no 5 speed offered. The Type9 5 speed does fit, without cutting the floor. The Mk3 had the same floor pan and Type9. You need the crossmember, exhaust downpipe and propshaft, as well as the gearbox. Also, the Type9 isn't a strong box for the transit (even the transit type9), particularly with the DI. BTW, 1986 was the last year of registration. 1985 was the last year of production.
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Post by harry on Dec 11, 2017 19:50:16 GMT 1
Hi Fred so my van has a 5 speed gearbox, year of registration 1986. Does this mean that it is an aftermarket gearbox? It of course has the crossmember, prop and downpipe as it has been running with the gearbox for however long.
I did read that the type 9 was no good for the DI.
What are my options here? Can I switch back down to a 4 speed gearbox? I've seen a fair few of those on fleabay etc. Does that need a different prop / downpipe / crossmember?
Excuse my ignorance here and thanks for the help.
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Post by harry on Dec 11, 2017 20:18:29 GMT 1
Bear in mind whats happened is that because the gear box has been run dry the actual gears need replacing, but the rest (crossmember, propshaft, bell housing etc) is fine so really I need a gear box that can be cannibalised.
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Post by dodgerover on Dec 11, 2017 20:38:48 GMT 1
Find an Mt75 from a mk3/4/5 transit and get that fitted, type 9 parts are expensive due to 'old skool ford' scene tax. Muttley can talk you through exactly what bits you need.
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Post by harry on Dec 11, 2017 20:51:49 GMT 1
Thanks Dodge! The thing is I'm a bit concerned about how much the garage are going to charge labour for a whole 'new' mt75 rather than just cannibalising a type 9. Especially since the gearbox is in one place and the van in another.
If I had the time and space to do it I would have a crack myself and maybe in a few years down the line I will have be in a position where I can do that but right now I'm desperate just to get it back on the road as we have been living in it (needs another month or so of work on the inside then is being taken abroad) so that is my primary concern. Currently staying at friends and family but that can't last forever.
I have an opportunity to make an offer on an entire type 9 box including gearlever. I am willing to pay a little over the odds at the minute just to get back on the road. I figure I can always sell a few bits from it to offset the cost. Whats the maximum I should be looking at?
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Post by jonochap on Dec 11, 2017 22:05:26 GMT 1
Watching with interest, have tried 2 t9’s both failed within 20 miles...
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Post by muttleymk2 on Dec 11, 2017 22:34:24 GMT 1
You cant buy a new MT75, parts are available as are S/H boxes. Type 9 parts are rare and pricey, trouble is, if you go for the MT then you will need adaptor plate, propshaft (modified Mk3) and gear lever and gearbox X member. A hole in the foor and modifying the X member will also be needed. The Mk 2 was never offered with a 5 speed box so yours has already been modded for the type 9.
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Post by harry on Dec 11, 2017 23:49:42 GMT 1
Haha Jono okay that doesn't fill me with confidence.
Muttley I meant 'new' as in new to me, it would of course be second hand. Good to know at least that it is an aftermarket gearbox as that was confusing me.
Bit up in the air on the one hand type 9 parts are rare and pricey but my van already has half the box there.
On the other hand MT needs an MT box and all these additional bits , modified prop, adaptor plates, cross member, cutting a hole in the floor pan etc etc. But then it is a better box in the long run.
I think I need to sleep on this on haha
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Post by bullsintransit on Dec 12, 2017 0:02:25 GMT 1
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Post by FredTransit on Dec 12, 2017 13:31:40 GMT 1
I would just add type9 boxes are all old now, as are the MT75s, but the latter has a better lifespan. The former can't take the constant torque and weight of being in a van. The latter was designed for it, all be it for the DI. The type9 has needle bearings that wear quickly. The MT75 has ball bearings that wear far slower.
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Post by harry on Dec 13, 2017 20:19:40 GMT 1
I'll be honest I managed to get a Type 9 box in pretty good condition (cheers Dave in Bentley!) hopefully it will see me through for a couple of years then when I have the space and time I'll upgrade to a Mt75 as that seems like the better option long term but I'll be able to do it myself then.
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