Hi again
I am so close to getting my car on the road. Everything checked out, engine set up. When I tried to select the gears the only ones I can get are 3rd and 4th. Please look at the photograph. I have removed the linkage and tried to put into gear using the stub, with the engine running and stationary. SOOO frustrating.
Does anyone have some suggestions?
I have been looking at engines for sale locally, thinking I should throw one in to get it on the road for the summer. I want it to match up with the selector in a similar way. Is there anything I should avoid? I am past caring what size the engine is just that it works.

You have the early mini remote gear change gearbox (pre 1976 ish...)
Having had this type and the later rod change gearbox, I would opt for the rod change.
It would involve fitting a complete new gearbox and change mechanism.
I think rossabits still sells the gear mechanism so conversion should be reasonably straight forward.

Check that you do not have a Coolant pipe/Jublee clip hitting the selector when you move it across to the 1st/2nd gate, Back in my early coupe ownership My coupe had the same selector rod as yours, and after doing some mainatance I found I could not get 1st/2nd it turned out to be the jublee clip I had just replaced and repostioned nicely to make it easy to tighten, get some one in the car to move across the gate and select what gears they can without forceing anything, and check your clearances. my money is on something around the tunnel causing a clearnace issue. It has to be checked with someone operating the lever inside so any flex in the linkage is there too.

Neil

Is the magic wand set up the same as the remote rod? If so, the plate on the bottom of the gear selector needs swapping around, otherwise 1st and 2nd are gated and reverse isn't.

It is probably what West said though.

And if you do go rod change, i've got the proper front gearbox mount from the Coupe now owned by Guessworks. He doesn't want it as he's going cable change, so it's yours if you want it.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will give them a try and will let you know if I find a fix. I think the engine swap is on the cards. Pantera275 I will accept your kind offer.
Thanks
Roger

Am I right in thinking you're going to use a later rod chnage with the gearbox in the picture? If so the change will work backwards -- 1st is 4th etc -- 'bin there done that!

The gears with the rod change gearbox will be in the 'correct' places if you use the corresponding rod change remote and the GTM designed linkage which differs significantly from the original remote change shown in the pictures above.

The only thing to remember is to take off the bottom plate of the rod change remote and rotate 180 degrees and fit the gearstick locating dowel pin into the opposite side of the housing.

And to move the reversing light switch, to the other side too.

Hi
I can finally report the cause of the problem.
After removing the gearbox again I stripped it completely The 'detent' pins locating the shafts had to be hammered out as they were seized solid.I can only assume that the box suffered corrosion as it stood unused for so long. The pins are now cleaned and the holes have been reamed out. The box is now rebuilt and ready to be fitted back in the car.
Finally the car will be ready for the road. (Never give up )
Next problem is the MOT !!
Roger

Well done chap

So you'll have it done for this summer

The plan is to get it up and sorted ready for the sunny weather.
I especially want it ready for Newark.
Today I reunited the engine and gearbox and its ready to go in the subframe.
Hope the weather holds next weekend and it may be finished.
Roger

Its finished. I had begun to doubt I would ever say that.
Tested taxed and on the road.
Just in time for the summer!!

Well Done you got there in the end

ENJOY

(Oh in a Coupe, think like a biker some people dont see you )

Smoothly does it, just in time for the better weather


Neil