Is this curtains for third?

[Old Septimus]

I was on the hill out of Amberley last night trying to keep up with the moderns on the W Sussex blat and on changing up into third there was a very nasty mechanical rattle/vibration. This persisted with the clutch engaged and disengaged. I got to the pub and then home again avoiding third (nice torquey Xflow) and suspect that something nasty has happened to the third speed gear/pinion. Other three gears and reverse are fine.

 

My car is a 1968 series 3 Lotus with the Cortina GT engine and the box is a 3 rail, either GT or 116E I believe. It is not a rocket or 2000E. Is there anything obvious I may have overlooked before engine out time? Is there any point in trying to inspect the internals after removing the top cover which I could do after taking the top of the transmission tunnel off? Finally, and assuming the worst, who in the South East is good with elderly Ford boxes?

[greg]

Try Phil Stewart from Road and Race Transmissions (based nr Sevenoaks kent) he does alot of caterham 6 speed boxes, and 4/5 speed quaife boxes for caterhams (amongs other things) - he should be able to help.

 

Greg, Q 86 NTM (Green 185BHP XF)