Gearlinkage shortening - Anybody done it before.

[dickspanner]

After fitting the cosworth V6 to the crewcab, it has ment the engine and box has had to be moved 50mm towards the front of the cab.

Simple question to which the first part may be answered in the question:-

Obviously by moving the gearbox back 50mm, the linkage assembly is all to "cock". I have looked at the adjustment available behind the swivel linkage and there is not enough play in this. I am thinking of (putting it simply) cutting 50mm of the length out of the back part of the shaft and welding it together again.

Has someone done this before? If so how did you do it?

My thoughts are to scribe a line 70mm long line and the cut 50mm out, match up the scribe and butt weld it back together, with two strengthening bars welded to the outside for added measure. Does this sound OK?

Cheers

Dickspanner

[Aidan]

sounds fine to me, the only q is where to do it, probably on the long straight section behind the UJ rather than after the kinks as this bit is critical to position and play for movement through rear bush.
Remember the bush plate goes on the front of the gearbox lug

[CycloneMike]

Why not sleeve it instead of using strengthening bars?
You could drill the sleeve then plug weld it?
If you use a jig or can cut accurately you could cut the rod at a 45 degree angle before sleeving it?

[PEET]

Agree sleeve it or rod it for that 'pro' look..
Just ensure the cuts are as exact as you can get BUT there will still be adjustment where the rods connect anway, just ensure they rejoin longitudally by scribing a line lengthways to help with set up with the scribes you should have done up at the joint - you did do that didn't you? I didn't once n it took me bloody months to get it right!!

[dickspanner]

I had a nightmare once when I did a similar thing so I am going to be as cautious as possible to the point of splitting the pin out of one of the joints rather than disturbing the current set up.

I am going to clean a section, about 100mm, blue ink it, scribe the two cut lines (50mm apart) the scribe a longtitudinal line along it, so when I cut the section out i should be able to butt the two pieces up, clamp in line, line up rotational scribe and tack weld in position, then fully butt weld it up.

I may sleave it as well, depends if I can get a snug fitting sleeve.

Was thinking of the cut on the straight part after the swivel joints.

I will do a piccie record of the work to show how I get on, going to start posting the pictures of the crewcab during assembly as most of hard work is done now and it is nearly ready for assemble.

Hardest bit of info to get was which way fuel runs through fuel line on cossy motor.

Cheers for advice guys

Dickspanner