Identifying a Renault 5 speed gearbox

[Mecky]

Hi guys,

Can anyone help me with identifying the Renault 5 speed gearbox, which is shown on the pictures?

There is a number on the housing: 7700597321

It's been in my car since I got it and I'm afraid that something could break soon. It already had some minor issues and I want to be able to source spare parts in case of any damage.

Thank you

[jbcollier]

That's a 395.

[jbcollier]

Consumables such as bearings, seals and syncho-rings are available.  Gaskets, not all but they can be made up.  Everything else?  Nope, find used.  They were used in early-mid 70s Renaults.

[GavinT]

What's the external difference between a 365 and a 395?

Perhaps counting the 5th gear teeth might be illuminating, though not definitive, perhaps.
Looking at the diff & counting the spider gears might be better.

[SilverBeast]

My 365 has the gear linkage running down the left  hand side of the engine and gearbox and the gear selector enters from the rear end of the gearbox (where it can apparently be vulnerable to hitting the kerb if you are not careful when reversing).

The 395 above has it running down the right hand side and the gear selector enters from the right hand side.

[GavinT]

Yes, Silver, there's different versions of the 365.

Here's a 365 from an Oz delivered R17TS.
The rear cover and gear change selector shaft orientation appears quite similar to Meckys.

EDIT:
Ooops . . . forgot to include the pic.

[jbcollier]

Yes, there are "side-shift" 365s.  The 365 and 395 are closely related.  The main difference is that the 365 has 4 spider gears in the diff and the 395 has 2.  The gear ratios are different as well.  The 395 has closely spaced first through third and then a large step between third and fourth.  The step to fifth varies depending on model.  The 365 has an evenly spaced, close-spaced set of ratios all the way through.

So does it go from gear to gear with even rpm drops?  Or, is there a larger drop between third and fourth?

I called 395 because I have one and it's identical to the above.

[Mecky]

So when I'm counting the teeth of the 5th gear, I will be able to identify the exact version, right?

I'm a little bit afraid that the gearbox, which is designed for something around 80 HP could break, since it is already exposed to the doubled amount of power (I don't know the torque figures of the R17, R18 and Fuegos) during the last years. Even while it was only around 30 hours of real stress in that period, it could be an issue sooner or later.

Or what do you think? Have they prooven reliable even with performance engines? I have just today seen Spencer Canon's Europa Hemi race car on IG, which has the same gearbox. I'm curious for his feedback, as well.

[SwiftDB4]

Don't worry. I raced a Europa with a 807G engine in SCCA for 3 years with a 336 box. That's not even as strong as a 395. 807G engine was rated by Renault at 160hp, 121 lb. ft. I had 10" wide Goodyear racing slicks and never had a gearbox problem. Did spin a rod bearing until I baffled the sump.

[GavinT]

So when I'm counting the teeth of the 5th gear, I will be able to identify the exact version, right?

Perhaps - perhaps not, but it should at least provide some guidance.
Is there a small round metal tag on one of the 5th cover bolts?
If so, that should have the Transaxle type # on it.

365's are commonly fitted with a couple of different 5th gears, but both are shorter than a 395's 5th.
Counting the teeth should eliminate one or the other.
So yeah, count the teeth.

[jbcollier]

The gearboxes are plenty strong.  They used the 365 in full race Alpine A110 1800s which were putting out a little under 200 hp IIRC.  Everything else broke but not the gearboxes.

Having said that, the 395 has a two spider diff which is a wee bit subpar.  I fit a Quaife diff to mine and that is more than strong enough.

[Mecky]

Hi guys, I dismantled the gearbox altogether. Even though I just wanted to make a small inspection. But something from shift fork for gears 1 and 2 is broken. I attached a pic

The fifth gear's teeth count 36/31.

[jbcollier]

It's a later 395 with a 0.86 fifth and an extra low first.

Can't tell from that photo what's up with the shift fork.  I think the best/only way to get parts is to find a used box.

[Mecky]

I have found a used 395-33 gearbox from a R17TS. The rear cover and shifter are a bit different to my own gearbox, but most internals should be the same, right? I attached a few pics of the gearbox, which I could buy.

[jbcollier]

It uses a different shifting system.  It may not match what you have.