PROJECT 51: One step forward, two back. When I pulled the engine and gearbox, I discovered that I was not the first. Unfortunately, the last mechanic didn't know there was a bolt under the tail end of the gearbox, and apparently used a crowbar to "free it up," and broke off half of the boss from the casting. Luckily, I was able to machine away the rest of the boss, and make a custom-fit steel part to replace it. He also left out a bearing guard inside the gearbox when he reassembled it, and lost the inspection cover plate on the bell housing. I was able to buy the former, and make the latter. Photo shows his replacement cover vs. mine. Gearbox is now refreshed and ready to go back in … sometime in the future. (Now I have to straighten the crowbar-damage to the mounting flange on the frame!)
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| Broken casting. Gearbox tail section is shown upside-down. |
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| Casting machined for replacement steel insert. |
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| Ready to tap holes to hold insert. |
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| Steel insert in place. |
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| Assembled gearbox with new anchor clevis. |
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| Two versions of the same cover plate. |
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| All dressed up and nowhere to go. |
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