Hi all, newbies first posting.
Have very distressed Panda fire 750 mania. Needs new gearbox. I was wondering whether I could put a 4 speed gearbox in it or what other fiats use the 5 speed box that I need. These things are getting rare. Or does anybody know the whereabouts of said box.
Thanks.

devonion said:

Hi all, newbies first posting.
Have very distressed Panda fire 750 mania. Needs new gearbox. I was wondering whether I could put a 4 speed gearbox in it or what other fiats use the 5 speed box that I need. These things are getting rare. Or does anybody know the whereabouts of said box.
Thanks.

Click to expand...

Sourcing a 5 speed box probably quite difficult, but any gearbox for a 2WD FIRE engined Panda will fit (I believe)
Ideally you want a box from another 750 as I think the gear ratios are lower... But someone may have to confirm this.

Thanks for reply.
There is a Panda 4 speed gearbox on ebay, but seller thought it would not fit.
Car was out of action for 3 years, managed to get going again, new head gasket, gear changing got progressively stiffer, found gearbox full of water? 1st motion bearing knackered leading to oil getting onto clutch.
Ho hum!
:bang:

Would that be the 1989 750 4 speed box?
I see no reason why it wouldn't fit, earlier 750 engines weren't any different to the later ones (until you get to the 750 Young which I believe was an OHV engine), should fit right onto your engine no problem, although I'd wait for someone with more wisdom than me to chime in here.

Any Panda box will fit, including a 4 speed, however cars after mid 1993 had a different gear change linkage but this can be swapped from your original box. I'm fairly sure the ratios are lower in a 750 box so if you fit a box from a 1000 it might struggle to pull the gears a little, but not sure if it would make a massive difference really.

panda1408 said:

Any Panda box will fit, including a 4 speed, however cars after mid 1993 had a different gear change linkage but this can be swapped from your original box. I'm fairly sure the ratios are lower in a 750 box so if you fit a box from a 1000 it might struggle to pull the gears a little, but not sure if it would make a massive difference really.

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:
I forgot about the change from rod change to cable change but being a Mania should be rod change which means it'll be fine with the 750 box on ebay.

Didn't know all boxes fitted though? Thought the earlier 903's had a different bell housing?

This post might help a little....

Didge3 said:

:yeahthat:
I forgot about the change from rod change to cable change but being a Mania should be rod change which means it'll be fine with the 750 box on ebay.

Didn't know all boxes fitted though? Thought the earlier 903's had a different bell housing?

Click to expand...

Forgot about 903's, always read they didn't fit, but when I've looked at the gearbox in the Mk1 it seems pretty much identical to a Fire engine box, so I'm not too sure. Can anyone confirm? Bolt patterns must be the only difference?

Yes the very one on ebay, but it seems the 4 speed bit more common than 5 speed.
I need a car to get up a cart track on the Mendips to start a vineyard, vehicle made for the purpose. But need to fix or get rid, only space for 1 car.
My car K reg so is 1992.
Love a car called Panda Fire 750 Mania.

Bought the car first so my daughter could pass her test, V cheep insurance. but realize easy to fix unlike modern cars.

devonion said:

Yes the very one on ebay, but it seems the 4 speed bit more common than 5 speed.
I need a car to get up a cart track on the Mendips to start a vineyard, vehicle made for the purpose. But need to fix or get rid, only space for 1 car.
My car K reg so is 1992.
Love a car called Panda Fire 750 Mania.

Bought the car first so my daughter could pass her test, V cheep insurance. but realize easy to fix unlike modern cars.

Click to expand...

Yeah I think all Mania's are K reg, mine is and pretty much every other I've seen is. 5 speed boxes only came on Super models or models made 1992 onward I think so they're quite rare. Your best bet is probably the 4 speed 750 box on ebay since it has the correct ratios for your engine.

Didge3 said:

Yeah I think all Mania's are K reg, mine is and pretty much every other I've seen is. 5 speed boxes only came on Super models or models made 1992 onward I think so they're quite rare. Your best bet is probably the 4 speed 750 box on ebay since it has the correct ratios for your engine.

Click to expand...

Super and.... Parade, Sergio etc etc...special editions.Parade cable, Sergio rod.

Thanks all,
looks like I will have a go with a 4 speed box. I may phone a Fiat mechanic, just to make sure.
Wife has Honda Jazz, decent car but I had trouble replacing a light bulb on it.
Getting the clutch out of the car was not too bad except for the 3 months continuous rain here in Devon.
I did like the 5th gear as overdrive on the motorway though.
Cheers

The 4 speed box on eBay will definitely fit, there is no doubt about that, another option is to rebuild your original box. If it is just the input shaft bearing that needs to be replaced it may not be that expensive, plus you know the box will be good then, rather than fitting a used one that may have issues aswell.

Hi panda, is gearbox difficult, this is the first transverse clutch I have ever done.
My thought was that because it was full of water for possibly years (I have no idea how it got there) that the all the bearings will be shot. Before final clutch slip was having to double D gears, have not done that since my Riley 1.5 40 years ago. This is the first box to go on me, and I am such a fair weather mechanic that if the Panda is to roar into life once again this year then a new box is the way to go. I will keep the old box and do it up in my shed when I have made room.
Might open box to have look.
Thanks for advice.

Get yourself a manual on eBay for a couple of quid....not a difficult job at all.

Where in Devon are you? Are you local to me ? East Devon (Colyford)

Hi rustypanda,
live near Torrington, so not really, Devon is a big place, though do pass your way if using the 303 to london
Just bought the Mania a clutch, though not a Panda 750 1992 one but another one with a different diameter.
How many different versions of the same thing are there?

Just thought I'd say hi from another Devonian, I'm in Exeter. It's worth keeping hold of the old gearbox if you have even if it seems knackered, as there are normally still plenty of decent spare bits and they're getting harder and harder to find!

Rusty I think you had an engine mount off me? Can't remember exactly...!

totnesmonster said:

Rusty I think you had an engine mount off me? Can't remember exactly...!

Click to expand...

Yep that's right, let me know if you need any thing I'd like to repay the favour.