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R65 Gearbox Replacement from wedge into bubble

1.4K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  david.c  
#1 ·
Hello,

My gearbox is broken (nasty crack in the casing after slightly exuberant acceleration away from some traffic lights) in my 98 bubble 200, and I have replacement gearbox but its from a wedge shape.

I've got my gearbox out and have noticed some differences...

The speedo drive on the wedge box is mechanical and mine is electronic. Does anyone know if its possible to change the mechanical one for the electronic one?

Also, there is a large threaded hole in the top of the wedge box - what is this for? Can I just try and blank it off? Or is this where something off of my original box should fit onto?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
#3 ·
The box may be from an early wedge, these had a lift up collar under the gearknob which had to be lifted before selecting reverse. This operated via a cable to the top of the gearbox. Try using it blanked off and see how reverse is. It will engage, but maybe without the resistance when you move the gearlever to the right.
 
#6 ·
Brilliant, will give that a go.

Just a thought though, if on the older models you had to lift the collar on the gear stick to get it into reverse, then will I not be able to get it into reverse if my gearstick doesn't have the collar to lift up?
 
#9 ·
Brilliant. I'll put it in and see how it goes.

Anyone got any ideas as to how to blank off the hole in the top of the gearbox? I'm thinking sticking a piece of plate over the top with a bit of JB weld, although I can't see that lasting for a very long time....
 
#10 ·
If the hole is between the clutch cable bracket and the breather it's for the reverse interlock cable. That's out of an early wedge. the later wedge boxes did away with the reverse interlock which was deemed unnecessary. As far as I recall it can still be used, But the later box had a stronger/better method of securing the fifth gear. The early ones had been known to work loose.
Otherwise the threaded hole could be for the reverse light switch.