Technical Uno 5-speed in X1/9

[froth]

New to the forum, looks great. Here's my question - 3rd gear in my '78 1300 4-speed is rapidly dying, crunches most shifts with an audible 'clunk' when it finally engages. Will an Uno 5-speed unit direct swap into my car, or are there issues with shifters and driveshafts, etc.
Chris

 

[fiatfactory]

For a start the uno gearbox has the shifter shaft coming out from the opposite side to an X19 gearbox, obviously to suit front wheel drive application.

The only Uno I am really familiar with is the uno turbo, Im not sure if other uno five speeds are different...(not available in australia)

the turbo model has totally different inboard CV joints. Same with the x19 five speed, different inner and outer cv's, different rear hubs and bearings, different shock to clear the five speed outer cv.

5 speeds also use a larger clutch (190mm) a different flywheel, and different starter motor.

You can use the internals of the five speed into your four speed case (provided the donor gearbox has the correct final drive ratio) but this is a lot more work than even replacing the bad components in your four speed....

To do this you have to use the pinion shaft from a five speed, but the crown wheel from a four speed, so both must have the same ratio (final drive)
this allows you to use the original clutch, flywheel, starter, axles, cv's, and shocks.

SteveC

 

[froth]

Okay, so the only realistic option is to fix my gearbox or find a replacement X1/9 box? I'm picking the 128 box has the shifter input shaft on the wrong side too.
Chris

 

[fiatfactory]

You guessed it, 128 gearbox also has shifter input on the wrong side.

early four speed 128's are different internally too, different syncroniser type and size to an X19, however very late 128's (3p) have same type of syncro on 1 and 2 as X19, but 3 and 4 are smaller diameter rings. 4th gear is also a different ratio between the two....

they are not terribly difficult to do a rebuild on though, good online instructions at Xweb site (socalX)

SteveC

 

[alexGS]

OK, Uno five-speeds come in four distinct types:

1. - '84-'88 Uno 70, has shift lever with two rods, one operates crank near bottom of gearbox and other operates vertical rod with link across to selector on top of gearbox. Easily recognisable by passivated-cadmium plated ("gold" coloured) tin cover on top of gearbox. This is the same type of gearbox as fitted to FIAT 127. Has the tripode-type driveshaft joints in diff.

2. - '88-on Uno 70 (may also be earlier), has shift lever with two rods but one is fastened directly to gearbox selector, the other pushes a small link rod to twist the selector. *This is the 128-style gearbox and should be the same inside as your X1/9*. This also has the tripode-type driveshafts so the diff should be the same as your X1/9 also.

3. - '85-'88 Uno Turbo "bottom linkage gearbox". This is based on that in the Strada. I have heard of people using the gears out of this to improve a 128 box, so I think it must be the same as the gearbox described above. This has inner CV joints.

4. - '88-on Uno Turbo "top linkage gearbox". Not to be confused with 1., it is totally different because this gearbox is the Tipo design. The selector is mounted on top and the gearlever linkage runs inside the car. This also has inner CV joints.

As you may have picked up, 1. and 4. are no good to you at all, while 2. and 3. are basically the same as an X1/9 box except that the single selector comes out the wrong side. This should not be a major problem - you will just have to use X1/9 casings etc. while the gearsets should be interchangeable.

Sorry this post is not terribly specific, but it is intended to help you avoid the two Uno 5-speeds that will be no use at all, while (hopefully) encouraging you to take a look at the other two! Look for Uno 70's from around 1988 with the single selector at the bottom of the gearbox. Or, earlier Uno Turbos but the driveshafts will be more work and of course the gearbox might be more stuffed!

-Alex

 

[froth]

Wow! Ok thanks Alex. I'm in NZ too; in Nelson. I have only had my x1/9 for about a month, I bought it off TradeMe sight unseen - took a risk but it was cheap and the car was okay,not too much rust. But as you know I will be pulling my 'box soonish; once I have found some bits or another (maybe Uno) box.
I would like to talk some more - if you don't mind. You could text me with your e-mail address on 0210598681, no pressure.
Chris