Remote change vs. direct change

[Keith Grendahl]

I have a 1275 remote change with sandwhich plate from an Austin America in my mk1 but am considering options to change to direct change to achieve an original appearance. I have read many differing opinions concerning changing a diff cover but, assuming no bearing problems or excessive leaks, is it just a matter of installing a direct change diff cover and proper shift lever?

If so, is the "feel" of the direct change comparable to remote change?

Thanks,
Keith

[Spider]

Have you an all synchro or a 3 synchro?

If it's all synchro, you don't need to change the diff cap, just get a hold of the shift lever, the 'linkage' that goes through the diff cap and the bottom plate.

If it;s 3 synchro, you'll also need the diff cap in addition to these ^ items.

How it feels can be subjective, however this probably best describes it;-

[Lakeland997]

Spider, doesn't the Austin 1100 diff housing have a different bolt arrangement for the remote (horizontal) and therefore it could not be converted to a mini direct change without changing the housing? Or did the 1100 ever have a direct change?

[Keith Grendahl]

Four synchro box.

Yes, remote housing to diff cover bolts go in from the sides. That is why I am wondering if changing the diff cover to directs change is an option.

[360gts]

You mentioned 'direct' change...are you referring to the later ROD change gearbox??? If so, then the whole process stated below is out the window.
The rod change box it totally different to the earlier types.


First, the changeover for this is a lot of work...the existing setup should be quite good if the sandwich plate is clean and free from oil. Rear rubber mount is also different on these remotes.

You have two options here.
Replacing the diff housing from a remote gearbox off a mini with the corresponding remote shift unit.
By the way, the linkage in the diff housings are identical.....could use yours if a replacement diff housing doesn't have one
Replacing the diff housing needs attention as not all of them will match your exiting 1300 gearbox....might get lucky and have one fit perfectly. I have done this and had no problem.
Next option.
Take your existing diff housing and make an alloy plate that will be welded onto the diff housing...needs to be 1/4" to 5/16" in thickness. This is the same as the thickness of the rubber sandwich plate used on the 1100/1300 gearboxes.
(I have a picture somewhere of the plate I use)
You will still need a mini remote shifter...carefully align the shifter to the diff housing...clamp in place and then drill the four holes into the diff housing and tap out for the coarse thread bolts.
Bit of work but it saves trying to find another diff housing that will match your existing gearbox.

[Spider]

Spider, doesn't the Austin 1100 diff housing have a different bolt arrangement for the remote (horizontal) and therefore it could not be converted to a mini direct change without changing the housing? Or did the 1100 ever have a direct change?

Yes, you are right, so I forgot to mention to either drill and tap new holes for the plate (under the shifter, however I'd suggest doing them no bigger than 5/16" UNC or welding 'ears' on to the plate, to attached to the existing holes in the side.

As the OP is referring to "direct change to achieve an original appearance" in his "my mk1" I really doubt he's referring to a Rod Shift.

[Keith Grendahl]

I hadn't considered drilling the housing to accept the plate or modifying the plate to fit the housing. So glad I asked the question. Thanks for the advice.

Keith

[360gts]

I mentioned "direct" just in case...rod change has been referred by some as direct change....

[CooperTune]

At the risk of being very wrong, I believe I repaired this gear box several years back. What he has is a AA four synchro with a sandwich plate and remote to match. I'm thinking he'd like to swap the diff. housing and install a Cooper type remote shift housing complete with the four bolts coming up from the bottom. I have both the diff housings from blown up trannys and over stock on Cooper remote shifters. Being maybe 10 miles from my shop I'm surprised I have not heard about this before. My supply of Cooper type four synchro tranny cases is about dried up. Some place around the shop I have a box of Cooper type diff housings I have been shipping the lot to customers and let them pick the one that fits best for them and return the balance. Steve (CTR)

As for feel, if the bushings in the diff housing are replaced and all balls and slots are in good shape and the ball at the bottom of the stick has a new bushing and it is shimmed a very tight shift pattern can be had without the rattle.

[Keith Grendahl]

Steve, you are correct, this is the box you repaired. I am very happy with the sandwich plate and remote I have. Just considering my options to covert this gearbox to magic wand the next time I have the engine out.

I think I would fit a MkII magic wand bottom plate to the AA diff housing. I would modify the plate rather than the housing so that I could change back to remote If I want to. Of course there are more parts required than just the bottom plate.

[ianh1968]

I mentioned "direct" just in case...rod change has been referred by some as direct change....

If we all used the correct terms of "Magic Wand" and "Pudding Stirrer" there would be no confusion...

Ian

[Vegard]

If you've got a Remote Box, stay away from the pudding stirrer. It's awful.

[ivor badger 2]

If its a 4 sychro box, you can fit a std mini remote to it and swap some of the linkage in the diff housing.