geharvey Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 Hello, I fitted an electronic fuel injection system to my Vitesse about 5 years ago (A kit from classic fuel injection). I have done about 6000 miles and the gearbox was beginning to complain a bit; rumbling in neutral and noisy first gear. I have stripped down the gearbox, it is an 1850 Dolomite box built into a vitesse 3 rail casing, with a J type overdrive. On examination, the lay gear that I purchased from BL in the mid 90's for the princely sum of £21, has worn through the bearing surface on the internal needle roller bearings. I have tried to find a replacement, but have not had much luck. I contacted Canley Classics, with a brief history of the gearbox; I received a short reply, stating that I should take it to a good machine shop and have proprietary sleeves fitted. I took the lay gear to my local machine shop, who I have used for 30 years. They asked me which sleeves to fit, where did they come from, did I mean phosphor bronze bushes to run directly on the lay shaft. They are happy to do what I ask, but I am not sure what to tell them. I was hoping I would take it in to them and pick it up in a week or so, ready to fit. However, things are rarely that easy. Reading through some of the forum posts, it seams that a sleeve can be fitted and a caged roller bearing can be used in place of the original loose rollers. Does any one have the details for these parts, so that I can give them to my machine shop with exact instructions or even supply the parts as a kit? Many thanks, in advance. Graham Harvey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glang Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 I believe the very early Herald gearboxes (basically the same unit) had bushes instead of rollers but these were dropped as the power output of the engines used increased. There are specialists such as Mike Papworth who have machined laygears to take hardened steel sleeves that also allow longer rollers to be used (at least at one end) so increasing the load capacity. This is the best option because the ends of the laygear can still dissipate its axial load on the thrust bearings.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geharvey Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 Hello, thank you very much for your reply, I will give them a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geharvey Posted April 6, 2022 Author Share Posted April 6, 2022 Just to complete this post, I did indeed purchase some sleeves and needle rollers from Mike Papworth. Graham. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC67GT6 Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 Greetings glang Very interested your Lay gear project. Did you complete it yet? Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glang Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 Hi, no sorry luckily I havent had a laygear yet thats as badly worn as Grahams so havent needed to carry out major surgery on one. Im sure it will come to it one day although I do treat my Vitesse gearbox very gently and get into 4th as quickly as possible before accelerating (easy with the torque of the 2L six and 3.89 diff). However for future reference it would be interesting to know how Graham got on with his.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC67GT6 Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 (edited) My Lay Gear is no better than Grahams. Its the winter project to complete this 3 rail D/OD gear box. Would like to find a replacement or the parts and knowledge to repair. it. Edited December 14, 2022 by RC67GT6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glang Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 Yes thats beyond use as it is so you probably need to speak to Mike Papworth about the sleeve and longer rollers mod.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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