c.hydes Posted November 27, 2023 Report Share Posted November 27, 2023 HI all, for various reasons removing/refitting my gearbox cover and all that it entails is a nightmare, so does anyone have the exact dimensions of the position to drill the hole through carpet/cover in order to top up gearbox from inside the car? The car is a 1974 US imported, converted to RHD with J type overdrive fitted, and filler plug is on the LHS (kerbside), or am asking for the impossible? Best regards, and thanks Colin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel Triumph Posted November 27, 2023 Report Share Posted November 27, 2023 I can't help with the exact position to cut a hole in the cover to access the gearbox oil filler plug, but.... The best solution is to fit the Racestorations two piece cover. This has access points for the filler plug, the speedo angle drive and the propshaft flange. The rear half of the cover can be removed while leaving the H-frame centre console in place. This saves a lot of time when needing to get to the overdrive solenoid. This cover is not cheap, but it's well worth the money in my opinion. It proved its worth when I recently needed to change the speedo angle drive. Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted November 27, 2023 Report Share Posted November 27, 2023 +1 Only thing it lacks is a hole to give access to the top bolt of the starter motor which is otherwise hard to access which is easy enough to cut and fit a suitable bung. Otherwise a good fit. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heckler Posted November 27, 2023 Report Share Posted November 27, 2023 (edited) 260mm from bulkhead flange to centre of hole (not to edge of hole as shown in very rough drawing ),50 mm up from gearbox cover side flange to centre of hole. 50 mm dia hole .Rubber grommet used to cover hole . Chris Edited November 27, 2023 by heckler Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atl TR6 Posted November 28, 2023 Report Share Posted November 28, 2023 (edited) Here's a pic of access hole on my 74. Sorry I don't have exact measurements at hand, but picture is pretty obvious where. Did this 7-8 yrs ago. Used a smaller hole saw to drill locating hole, than larger hole saw over that hole that aligned with filler plug. I find an 8 point socket works best on square head filler plug. Edited November 28, 2023 by Atl TR6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dingle Posted November 28, 2023 Report Share Posted November 28, 2023 I went one step beyond adding a hole to access the fill plug. Recently, when installing new carpets, I cut a flap (about 3"X4") in the carpet to make access easier. The edges were bound and is not very visible because of the location. The A type OD installed has never been leak free and I check the oil level frequently. A hex head brass 3/8" NPT plug is used. Berry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted November 28, 2023 Report Share Posted November 28, 2023 5 hours ago, dingle said: I went one step beyond adding a hole to access the fill plug. Recently, when installing new carpets, I cut a flap (about 3"X4") in the carpet to make access easier. The edges were bound and is not very visible because of the location. The A type OD installed has never been leak free and I check the oil level frequently. A hex head brass 3/8" NPT plug is used. Berry I agree, having to remove the H frame to lift the carpet in order to get at the access hole sort of defeats the original purpose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 The tunnel carpet on my 4A is in two parts an d the join is just at the forward edge of the dash support. So lifting the carpet is straight forward. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.hydes Posted November 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 Thanks to all for the dimensions, photos and advice. I have a few additional questions questions please: Dingle, I like the idea of the 3" x 4" flap, but how did you bind it, I have no binding tools. Is there an alternative perhaps? Is a 50mm diameter hole enough to allow the hand to reinsert the plug when refitting, otherwise how do you get it to reengage? Cheers, Colin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dingle Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 Colin-I use a 6" extension and socket to insert the plug. Cutting&binding the flap was done when new carpets was being installed. Doing it with the carpet in place would be more challenging. If the carpet is out of the car, an upholstery shop would do the binding for a small fee or maybe some sort of glue would work. Anyway, I think the project for accessing the fill plug is well worth the effort. Good luck, Berry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.hydes Posted December 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2023 On 11/29/2023 at 4:56 PM, dingle said: Colin-I use a 6" extension and socket to insert the plug. Cutting&binding the flap was done when new carpets was being installed. Doing it with the carpet in place would be more challenging. If the carpet is out of the car, an upholstery shop would do the binding for a small fee or maybe some sort of glue would work. Anyway, I think the project for accessing the fill plug is well worth the effort. Good luck, Berry OK thanks Berry, all understood. I guess a small ball of mastic in the bottom of the extension socket would stop the plug from falling out whilst inserting or removing as well? Cheers, Colin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bob-menhennett Posted December 2, 2023 Report Share Posted December 2, 2023 A bit of Gaffa / Gorilla Tape ( half on the socket , other on the extension bar ) or a bit of BLU TACK is a lot less messy than mastic. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
c.hydes Posted December 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2023 20 hours ago, bob-menhennett said: A bit of Gaffa / Gorilla Tape ( half on the socket , other on the extension bar ) or a bit of BLU TACK is a lot less messy than mastic. Bob Thanks Bob, I should have said "Dum-Dum" and not mastic, but you are totally right Col Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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