Finally, the gearbox is in.

The gearbox is finally back in the car. I started last night with the help of my son Michael fitting up the half shafts. Let me tell you that was a job in its self. We couldn't line up the right axle to the diff so we swapped to the left side and that went in OK. Then the right again, and with the diff now centered by the left axle we managed to get it fitted without much trouble.
Today we fitted the cross member, springs etc and put it up into the car. I was only able to get Alpine A110 axle straps which are about 40mm shorter than original however I was told by the supplier they are good with a car on 13 inch wheels. These shorter straps also gave trouble as the spring needs to be compressed further to fit the straps. Another replacement part that gave trouble were the side the mounts. The rubber is different and you can't get the nuts on easily because for the larger rubber fitted. However with the problems of fitting some of the parts its all completed now.

 All 3 mounts replaced.

 Spring compressed off the car then the inner tied with fencing wire 

to hold it and inner compressor removed prior to fitting.

 Spring compressor needed a helping hand.

 All together and ready to be fitted to the car.

Fitted in the car with some degree of difficulty.

Preparing the gearbox

My parts have arrived from Belgium so I have started putting the gearbox back together. I have replaced the bearings, gaskets and seals. I hope to have it all back together tomorrow and fitted back into the car. The wiring harness is finished and is in the hands of Australia post at the moment! Am I worried about that? You bet I am!!!

 Ready for a new bearing and oil seal

 Old seal on the left. I think it was still OK as the rubber 

was still soft but replaced anyway.

 Universal end cap removed. It will be repacked with grease 

before being replaced.

 Uni Joint.

 Spacers to go back in before the bearing shell.

 Repacked and ready to go back together.

 New oil seal and dust cap on the selector arm.

The box leaked from the bottom of the bell housing gasket. 

New spigot seal and gasket fitted.

Doors and panels on the go.

The doors have now been repaired with the rust removed. New corners have been manufactured and welded in place. I'm very happy with the progress and quality of work on the panels so far. A little more work and they will be primed and painted next week.
The box of bits from Belgium is now on its way so I will be able to complete the gearbox and install it. There are also windscreen rubbers and rear door seals as well so all the doors can be completed and fitted once their painted.

 Inside of the door showing the repair section folded

and welded in place.

 Outside of one of the doors showing the repair 

sections ready for finishing and painting.

Repairs are completed on this door and its ready to be 

blocked back, primed and painted. 

Some of the rusty sections that have been removed from 

the doors and new sections made and welded in place.

Another great old photo.

This photo was sent to me by John Sever (original owner). It was taken in 1968 when the car was only a few months old. It was taken in the Civic car park in Canberra which is now lost to a high rise building. The Gordini still has the factory supplied Dunlop SP3 Sport tires fitted. The number plates are the original NSW plates before the car was registered in the ACT.

The restoration is still in wait mode, you know, the long weight!! According the the company who has my harness it has been put on the RUSH list (ha ha). The panels I sent away for repair have been repaired and waiting for a lick of paint before they come home, hopefully soon. I am also waiting for another parcel of parts from Belgium which include parts for the gearbox, window seals, front and rear screen rubbers, pedal rubbers and axle straps. I bet everything comes at the same time and I won't know where to start.

Time to start on the gearbox.

Its time to start on the gearbox and make the shell movable again. I have cleaned the gearbox and cross member and will start to pull it apart tomorrow for re painting and new rubbers, mounts etc. You will notice in the photos it is fitted with a K Mac rear stabiliser bar which will be removed, also the axle tubes have an amount of daffodil yellow paint on them. This makes me ask the question why? My car has a documented problem with the gearbox going back to its early days (see early posts of letter from Renault Australia). It also has no racing or rally history so why the stabiliser bar? Where did the yellow paint come from? I'll post the answer here when I know for sure.

 Note the K Mac stabiliser bar.

Daffodil Yellow on both axle tubes. Why?