Ng3 output shafts

[Blitzen]

I want to replace my 352 gearbox with a NG3 and as I understand it, I need to replace the NG3 outputshafts with the ones from the 352.  Looking at the NG manual it looks like I will need to split the case and disassemble the differential.  Which I assume means reshimming , checking preloads etc.  Is this as complicated as it seems?  Silly me was thinking I just needed to remove the ring nut and slide out th shafts like axles.  I guess what I’m wondering is if this a job for a specialist or would this be okay me to tackle?  The manual doesn’t seem to be very user friendly.  I’m comfortable rebuilding engines but have no transmission experience.

[BDA]

I think you are right. This article might be useful to you: http://www.greytower.com/jon/lotus/europa/gearbox/gearbox.html

I thought I would add what I know from my experience which unfortunately does not go as far as you will need to go.

I set the ring and pinion backlash and bearing preload and was not that difficult. Here is the thread on it: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1960.0

I have never fooled with the output shafts but I do not believe it should be particularly difficult. I think the article I referenced above should give you an idea of what is involved. Hopefully someone who has done it will chime in too.

Edit: fixed annoying codes my iPad inserted in place of apostrophes.

[jbcollier]

Transaxles are not hard, just different.  There are much better manuals here:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/index.htm

(under "Renault Manuals" near the top)

The only internal shimming is with regard to the diff spider and side gears.  It's a pain as you're fitting parts in a non-factory way but it's otherwise straight forward.  Diff bearing preload and ring and pinion backlash are pretty easy to set.  Do buy/borrow a spring gauge and a dial gauge though.  Nothing fancy required but having them makes the set-up a synch.

Last consideration is that the NG3 is a very strong, well-made unit but it has crap ratios.  First is so low you'll hardly use it and 5th is only few hundred of revs less.  Myself, I'd only make the switch if my 352 was not repairable.

[Blitzen]

I think you%u2019re right. This article might be useful to you: http://www.greytower.com/jon/lotus/europa/gearbox/gearbox.html

I thought I%u2019d add what I know from my experience which unfortunately doesn%u2019t does not go as far as you will need to go.

I set the ring and pinion backlash and bearing preload and wasn%u2019t that difficult. Here is the thread on it: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1960.0

I have never fooled with the output shafts but I do not believe it should be particularly difficult. I think the article I referenced above should give you an idea of what is involved. Hopefully someone who has done it will chime in too.

Thanks for the links.

[Blitzen]

Transaxles are not hard, just different.  There are much better manuals here:

http://www.lotus-europa.com/manuals/index.htm

(under "Renault Manuals" near the top)

The only internal shimming is with regard to the diff spider and side gears.  It's a pain as you're fitting parts in a non-factory way but it's otherwise straight forward.  Diff bearing preload and ring and pinion backlash are pretty easy to set.  Do buy/borrow a spring gauge and a dial gauge though.  Nothing fancy required but having them makes the set-up a synch.

Last consideration is that the NG3 is a very strong, well-made unit but it has crap ratios.  First is so low you'll hardly use it and 5th is only few hundred of revs less.  Myself, I'd only make the switch if my 352 was not repairable.

That’s where I got the NG manual. 
Good information thanks.   My gearbox was ok, I suspect most of the problems had to do with shifter parts.  Wonder if my Lindeman NG3 cable shifter kit would be easy to mod to the 352?   Might have to rethink this.

[Blitzen]

... Do buy/borrow a spring gauge and a dial gauge though.  Nothing fancy required but having them makes the set-up a synch.

Page 34 of the manual shows a differential preload of between 1 and 3 da N.   I take this to be decaNewtons which means 10 - 30 Newton or 1 - 3 kilograms.  Is that correct?

[BDA]

Here's a conversion page: https://www.unitjuggler.com/convert-force-from-daN-to-lbf.html

[Blitzen]

Sorry, I wasn’t clear I was wondering if those values 1 - 3 daN was correct as it seemed high.  Just wanted to confirm I wasn’t missing a decimal place.

[BDA]

Oops! Sorry about that!

1 - 3  da N is what my manual says and that's what I used. 1 - 3 kg. is correct.

[Blitzen]

Thanks