Ok, I took my gearbox off this weekend in an effort to try and work out why it's been so difficult changing gear. The loud crunching sounds that were eminating from the gearbox suggested that something in the clutch area was not working.
Having read some earlier posts here about the length of pivot pins, I wanted to eliminate this as the first problem. So up the car went, undo all the nuts and bolts and hey presto, one (heavy) gearbox removed.
Checked the length of pivot pin - 43mm. That should be OK, but I put a couple of washers behind it just to make sure. Reassemble everything and try again. Clutch not disengaing so adjust brackets and things. Clutch now OK. Engine starts in gear under no load.
The problem that now remains is that trying to find 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc...with the engine running is almost impossible most times. When the engine is off, the selection is much easier although quite notchy.
Any ideas? I though that perhaps it may be the remote selector, although there doesn't seem to be much to it (thanks Mr Haynes). Could it be the gearbox itself? I'm hoping not.....
Help, as ever, much appreciated.
Tony B
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tony.breski