General Gearbox conversion kits, crash to synchro

[The Whitakers]

Afternoon All...…


Am I loosing my marbles or have I seen a kit where you can modify your crash box to a synchro box?


Having read a few historic posts I'd say I am loosing it but got to ask as I'm that that sure I've seen kits for sale...…


Have a great weekend..

 

[Bleeding Knuckles]

Afternoon All...…


Am I loosing my marbles or have I seen a kit where you can modify your crash box to a synchro box?
Having read a few historic posts I'd say I am loosing it but got to ask as I'm that that sure I've seen kits for sale...…
Have a great weekend..

Greetings, to be honest you would have an easier time getting a 126 synchro box and sorting the simple conversion of the bell housing if required. An overhaul is straightforward providing you are careful !!!
I've not actually searched for such a kit as you mention, but that is not saying it's not available !
It could work out more expensive to replace all the gear and synchro clusters, so a second hand refurbished box would suit providing your motor would be happy with the gear ratio's - your car your choice
Ian.

 

[The Whitakers]

Greetings, to be honest you would have an easier time getting a 126 synchro box and sorting the simple conversion of the bell housing if required. An overhaul is straightforward providing you are careful !!!
I've not actually searched for such a kit as you mention, but that is not saying it's not available !
It could work out more expensive to replace all the gear and synchro clusters, so a second hand refurbished box would suit providing your motor would be happy with the gear ratio's - your car your choice
Ian.

Cheers Ian, I was in the process of looking at the best option but couldn't find my 'fictitious kit' hence my confusion......

 

[the hobbler]

Like Peter, I have never seen a 'Synchro conversion kit' for a 500 gearbox. The simplest way is to get hold of a 126 gearbox (synchro on 2nd/3rd/top) and either fit the bell housing off your 500's gearbox to it or, buy yourself a new bell-housing (make sure it is for YOUR car model--there are variations) and also either swap the drive-shafts over or fit a new set of 500 drive shafts---THE 126 SHAFTS ARE TOO LONG. Although, technically, you are supposed to fit the gear-box body and bell-housing as a matched set, I and a large number of people, have got away with just fitting a new bell housing to an old gear-box body. What model 500 have you got? If possible you would want to fit the 25mm shafts and new couplings.

 

[F123C]

If you follow Ian's (Bleeding Knuckles) advice above, might I suggest you spend some of the money you've saved on replacing any worn 1st and Reverse gear parts you find in the 126 'box. (these 2 gears wear, especially if abused and can spoil an otherwise good conversion).

AL.

 

[Toshi 975]

I have a spare 126 syncro gearbox here in Chesham. I bought it because my pal needed the bell housing.

 

[Pete145]

I’m about to have my original crash box swapped out for a 126 synchromesh (2nd, 3rd and 4th) gearbox. Keeping my original bell housing and driveshafts. The car’s been faithfully modified to 595ss specifications, but the gearbox, bell housing, driveshafts etc are still original (for a 1971 Lusso).

Over the last four years I have quite enjoyed the challenge of trying to master double clutching (and even the good old “heel and toe” technique if I’m feeling brave enough.... and another car isn’t tailgating me) but, I must admit, I’m looking forward to the conversion.

In part at least I blame Hobbler, as I drove his car a very short distance last year and the synchro gearbox felt sublime.

Space, equipment and time (lack of) restrict me from doing this myself, so the guys at Middle Barton are doing the switch over. Probably just as well, as they would be far more able than I’ll ever be (even if I had space, equipment and time).

 

[the hobbler]

Delighted that you liked my gearbox so much Peter, but a word of warning. The 126 box still does NOT have synchro on 1st gear, so unless you are somewhat proficient with your double de-clutching, remember to still only change into 1st gear when the vehicle is stationary. My normal trick is (when stopped at lights etc) to snick the gear-lever into 2nd, and then into 1st gear---makes for an easier selection of 1st. All the best with the conversion, hope to see you at Alderford lake in May (just outside Whitchurch, 19th, if anybody else in the Cheshire area is interested)

 

[thepuddlejumper]

Hi, been a while since posting last, if you have a modified 500 then I would advise getting the 126 bis box it has a higher final drive which will allow the tuned 500’s to go a bit better. In a standard 500 the bis gearing is a bit too high.