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.
