sponsored in part by

Transmission Cover Repair

3/14/00 -- While waiting for the correct Mk3 gearbox cover to show up, I decided to make use of the spare time to repair my transmission cover.

Okay, so this is probably going to have a few folks shaking their heads to ask: "Why not just buy a new ABS cover for your transmission?"

A sensible question.

At about sixty bucks, they're not prohibitively expensive. But don't forget to add fifteen or twenty dollars for the seal that goes around it, and another few for the insulation. Cost issues aside (because they really aren't that relevent, after all), I decided to spend $12 reparing the cracks in the fiberboard tunnel with fiberglass, because my cover wasn't all that bad off and I decided that I'd rather spend the additional money on items for the car that are going to be seen.

I've discovered that I enjoy working with fiberglass. The whole repair took under a half an hour. The biggest fractures of the pressboard were towards the rear of the cover that fits along the firewall. The circular opening around the shifter was pretty chewed up also, as illustrated in the pictures below.

I have some extra gasket material laying around, which I decided to use to patch the gearshift hole. I cut out a section and held it in place with duct tape, while I used my exacto knife to score a new opening from the underside of the tunnel. Then, I used some scissors to cut out the new hole. The plan was to spread resin all around the opening, then tack the gasket material down to the resin and then go over the top of that with more resin. It really didn't work out that way. I ended up covering the entire opening with a rectangular piece of fiberglass matting, then layed the gasket material down over the top of it -- not for any special strengthening properties -- just for looks, I guess.

I pre-cut a large piece of the fiberglass mat to lay across the large fractureson the back of the gearbox cover and also cut two small squares, which I doubled up and used to patch the footrest attachment area. The footrest needs some cleaning up. I'll bead blast and repaint the metal parts and give the rubber a good soak with cleaner.

As soon as the fiberglass is set and dry, I'll redrill some new mounting holes in the rear and saw out the shifter opening, then drill new holes for the rubber boot retention clips. I'm sure that I'll buy an ABS cover eventually, but in the meantime, I've used the money I saved to purchase two Lucas amber turn signal lenses and a new commission plate, which I'll stamp to match the original. My original commission plate is a mess. Worn out and partially painted over. Once I restore the body to like-new condition, I'm going to want the commission plate to look nice as well. I've already invested in a pop riveter for my carpet installation. I might as well get some additional use from it! I'll keep the original commission plate with the title for the car -- so the next owner will know that the numbers are all correct. FD 8862, in case anyone is interested!

Return to index

Write to Jeff!

Please. Always wear your seatbelt while driving -- and that goes double for your children if you have any.

Join the NEW

Classic '60's Triumph Spitfire Webring!