Reverse in 100-4 BN2

[Pizzi348]

Is it suppose to be really stiff getting the car into reverse?

 

[Dave Russell]

Not sure what you mean by "stiff". Mine takes about 16-18 pounds sideways pull at the knob. You can definitely feel the detent letting go as the lever snaps abruptly to the left.

Once the lever is to the left, reverse is no harder to engage than the other gears. Never a problem of accidentally engaging reverse.
D

 

[Pizzi348]

Feels more like 30 pounds to me. I thinking getting to the far left isn't so bad ... it's actually getting it to go in the reverse slot.

 

[Dave Russell]

I should have said that sometimes reverse is no harder to engage than the other gears.

They always go into the actual reverse slot a bit hard unless the non-synchro gear teeth are perfectly aligned. Same with first gear. Sometimes I have to get it into second, third, or fourth first & then into reverse. When it's really difficult, I let the clutch out slightly to turn the gears & then go into reverse.

Seems like this only happens when I'm in a real hurry to get into reverse for some reason.

If the clutch is dragging, not fully releasing, it will always be hard to get into first & reverse. Not hard to check the clutch linkage adjustment.

As the pedal is depressed, there should be about 1" of relatively free travel as the throwout bearing approaches the clutch & then stiff travel to the fully released position.

On the BN2, the nightmare clutch linkage can be worn enough to reduce total pedal travel to a point where there just isn't enough travel remaining to permit the bearing to be clear of the clutch when the pedal is fully out & still travel far enough to completely release when the pedal is in.

DWR has a much improved clutch linkage for these cars. Easier pedal depression & no lost motion. https://www.bighealey.co.uk/section.php?id=5&page=2
D

 

[Pizzi348]

Great info thanks Dave!