TCS Detent Cam Questions

[Dilkris]

Regarding the size of the "O" ring, was the "overdrive" 5th gear made by Renault or for Lotus? Thereby might define whether it's English or metric.

I have the Haynes manual for the Renault 15 & 17 and the 5th gear "arrangement" is shown and described as the "early type 365 rear cover and rocking lever", which suggests the "O" ring in question will be metric. 
I believe, although I am prepared to be corrected, that for the Europa TCS, the 5th gear itself was made by Hewland, (a British Company), to a design specified by Lotus.   

[4129R]

"Footer", Many thanks for your kind offer, but I'm sure I'll be able to find something that will do the job.

Re the ball, How can it be in a position not central to the plate?

The aluminium block in which the ball moves may not be positioned correctly. That happened to me.

[jbcollier]

The Renault 365 transaxle came with 0.93 fifth gear and a 3.7x final drive.  The 336 transaxle had a 3.5x final drive.  A straight switch to the Renault 365 would have meant that the five speed Europa Special would have been slower than the four speed version.  So, Lotus had Hewland make up a special 0.85 fifth gear.  At the same time, also removed the fifth gear detent and came up with their external detent system.  Perhaps they were concerned the extra mass of the Europa shifting system would make the stock detent ineffective.  Regardless, the weird double-pivot, linkage was Renault, not Lotus.  Rear covers are the same.

I do not like the 365 shift mech: too exposed and more wear/leak points.  When I finally get around to my 395/352/365 franken transaxle, it will have a 395 rear cover and shift mech.

[4129R]

Regardless, the weird double-pivot, linkage was Renault, not Lotus. 

What do you mean by the double-pivot linkage?

Do you mean the rods going from the gear lever, with the UJ by the exhaust manifold, and then attaching to the gear selector rods with a roll pin, or do you mean the spring loaded 1/2" ballbearing onto the indented plate/cam which prevents over rotation when selecting reverse and 5th gears? 

[TCs Euro]

So to jump on your thread. I fitted a new o ring to the double pivot selector assembly that the lotus dedent mech attaches to, it made no difference to the amount of oil coming out... so it must be worn... there is a fair amount of play in it.
Have you guys rebushed this area and stayed with the o ring, or fitted a seal similar to the sector shaft below it.... I hope that makes sense.....

[Dilkris]

So to jump on your thread. I fitted a new o ring to the double pivot selector assembly that the lotus dedent mech attaches to, it made no difference to the amount of oil coming out... so it must be worn... there is a fair amount of play in it.
Have you guys rebushed this area and stayed with the o ring, or fitted a seal similar to the sector shaft below it.... I hope that makes sense.....

You comment makes perfect sense.
I too have an oil leak from this area and looking and feeling the lateral play, (which can clearly be seen once the spring loaded ball arrangement is removed from the cam plate) I just know that changing the "O" ring will not solve the problem and that sleeving the housing will be required.
(Note: I sleeved the housing plus new oil seal for the gear change at the time of rebuild and "assumed that the "O" ring in this shaft would be ok......it isn't )
I have yet to remove the 365 rear casing to see if the casting has sufficient material to be machined in order to support the fitment of an oil seal - sure sleeving will be possible, but an oil seal (which would be ideal) I don't as yet know.
I'll post when I do. 
Unless somebody already knows. 

[TCs Euro]

Thanks Dilkris.
I have fitted a new gear selector shaft ( which was worn) and seal, it's worked perfectly.
I have removed lotus dedent mech, spring and ball and the bit with the ears. Fitted the renault 5th gear internal spring and plunger, and a sleeve and guide on the gear lever in the cabin. 1st n 2nd have never been so precise or easy to change gear.
I am going to remove rear cover hopefully this weekend, and get a local machinist to give me his appraisal, keep you posted.
I too use a heavy grease to keep things located upon reassembly.