Rod change in a Mk1

[Pete]

I’m fitting a rod change to a mk1 with a remote cut out. Anybody else done this and any tips?

[Dearg1275]

I have read on this forum that the Australian car never changed to square tunnels despite using the rod change box on later cars. Which means it should be possible. Perhaps someone from Oz can come up with the details?

D

[whistler]

The hole for the remote gearstick is offset in mk1 cars whereas the rod change is more central to the tunnel so you might have to modify the tunnel hole to fit.

[Oneball]

My Cooper had a rod change in it when I bought it. Then tunnel hole wasn’t cut and I think the rubber cotton reels were bolted through the two front remote bracket holes. The one you’ve got may even be that one!

[Pete]

30 years since I’ve done one but got a feeling there’s a longer rod change you can use off sommat else.

[Pandora]

I fitted a rod change to my Mk1 and never understood all the fuss about the fitting. a couple of exhaust bobbins, some flat bar and not much head scratching sorted it. getting the exhaust to sit nicely (Maniflow 3 into 1 manifold and RC40) was a bit of a fankle, but still not that tricky.

Al

[mgcm1598]

If you don't fancy making a bracket for the back of the rod change,Minispares offer one - MSSK053

http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... o%20search

[Peter Laidler]

I knew that this conversion had been documented here before, including the Minispares rear bracket

[Spider]

I have read on this forum that the Australian car never changed to square tunnels despite using the rod change box on later cars. Which means it should be possible. Perhaps someone from Oz can come up with the details?

D

Yes, we retained a MKI floor pan right to the end of production.

Our Rod Shifts here this bracket;-





Fitted up in the car



The Cotton Reel Mounts were a short type, the same as used on the exhaust.

[Pete]

Interesting, hadn’t seen the Aussie arrangement before. Thanks.

[mab01uk]

[minibitz]

Hey Mab, have you used the longer rod change bobbins rather that shorter exhaust type to give clearance for the quick shift assembly or for some other reason?

[Time Bandit]

When I did it to my old MK1 back in the '80s the tunnel from a later rod change set up was welded in, or the rear half of it anyhow. In hindsight after it was done I thought it probaby wasn't worth the faff and it would of been just as easy to cobble up a new mount at the back. I then went back to a remote set up later on but left the later rod type tunnel in place.