LT77 Gearbox

[David Large]

My gearbox failed in a big way - well the effects are big anyway - for the second time yesterday, on the way to Silverstone.

This box was new when we put it in the 289 in 1986. It was absolutely fine when in 2004 I had a new engine built (4 litre RV8 - 235 bhp; 250 ft lbs, so no excessive power here) and decided to have the gearbox checked over while everything was out.
Six months happy motoring later the circlip came off the end of the mainshaft - I think - and the "specialist" had it back was full of apologies and fixed it.
Approaching 2 years later I pulled into Corley services yesterday - smiling at how well my 289 was running, looking forward to a great day at Silverstone and, judging by the symptoms, the same thing has happened again. I got the car recovered and got back to Siverstone just after mid day so still had a great afternoon.

Anybody else experiencing this with an LT77?

It may be a classic case of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but I thought I was being sensible having the thing checked out when we did all of the work on the engine.

I will be interested in any advice - although I am away for 2 weeks now so you may not get any responses from me until then. My good pal Dennis will be (hopefully) taking it out it and getting it fixed and will no doubt have a look at any comments on here.

Cheers

DL

[dinosoar]

Bad luck David.

I have been through my fair share of Rover gearbox failures.

The most annoying was the 'Heavy Duty Rebuild' that Rimmer Bros supplied for my 289. It never did shift very nicely and became progressively noisier. The trouble was that by the time it was fited and showed the problems there was no chance of warranty from Rimmers.

Incidentally, A friend was told by a gearbox reconditioner that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This was with reference to the lesser quality of replacement bearings today.

Maybe you need to look out for a T5?

Andy

[stevey]

easier upgrade is go for the R380 box this is the one LDV up putting in the ambulances and freight rovers much stronger than the always fragile L77 you would not believe how much damage a caring ambulanceman can do to a Rover V8 and gearbox (we have piles of parts here at work!) and no they Are all mine!!!!!!!
Steve

[wilf]

Can't really add anything, other than to express sympathy. Oh, and maybe Russell Ram could shed some light.

Good to see you yesterday anyway.

[David Large]

Originally Posted by stevey

easier upgrade is go for the R380 box this is the one LDV up putting in the ambulances and freight rovers much stronger than the always fragile L77 you would not believe how much damage a caring ambulanceman can do to a Rover V8 and gearbox (we have piles of parts here at work!) and no they Are all mine!!!!!!!
Steve

Would the R380 be a straight swap, physically?
Are the ratios the same?

DL

[stevey]

Yes it is a straight swap the ratio will vary in as much as the original application i.e LDV van or Land Rover etc the only physical difference is reverse which is in a different place ie not left and up it is left and down (hope that makes sense!)
Steve

[dingocooke]

T5 is a lovely light throw box, and theyre not expensive, I would go for that if it was me-good luck getting it fixed

[tonym]

Originally Posted by dingocooke

T5 is a lovely light throw box, and theyre not expensive, I would go for that if it was me-good luck getting it fixed

Can you mate a T5 box with a Rover engine though Steve? If an adaptor is required could that cause problems with gearbox mounts and prop lengths etc, thinking about it a different prop and gearbox mount will be required anyway if you change to a different make box, gearlever location may be different too so not quite straightforward

[dingocooke]

oops er yes Tony forgot to mention that; another LT77 as replacement would be easiest, but I think theyre fragile and David would end up rebuilding it again in a few years; whereas a decent T5 would cope with all that a mildly tuned RV8 could deal out for years.

[tonym]

You could try this box Dave