Manky Monkey Motors

Posted on behalf of Mr Brock:

Is anyone able to supply me with a drawing, sketch, photograph etc of a Reliant Rebel gearshift, or even the real thing?
Many thanks.

Is it the early gearbox with a remote or the later one as fitted to the Robin etc.

Not sure Dave. I'll ask.

He says:

Thanks. It's the later Robin box, but I want to see the early remote shifter in detail, enough to make one.

.

Brock says:

Yep, that's the same photo I have, but strangely reversed? I really want to know what's going on inside. I would think I could cobble something together but it's a wheel that's already been invented. I do have one made and fitted in my roadster project, but it wasn't 'till I sat on a box on the chassis to play with it and was thinking the shift through whilst moving it I realised that first is now left and back. I can live with it but better is possible.

Didn't Spanners have a Reliant Rebel he was threatening to break up recently?

its a ,,kitten,, two seater sports (thats what the v5 says) rolling chassis

Ahh, O.K  :)

but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i think there was one for sale on rods n, sods a week or so ago ,,

Andy i may have a gear lever in the garage its been cut, but the part that fits the box is compleat

A Rebel one Terry? (It's a remote linkage on top of the box).

just remembered  ::) ::) i got a regal/early robin g/box in the shed  any use ??????

Its for the later type

Steve's building a Reliant engine 20s/30s style roadster. I think he needs a remote gear linkage, like the Rebel. As far as I know, he's got the gearbox from his donor car, but needs a way of moving the gearstick further back.
Thanks for the offers anyway guys.  ;)

just do a reverse version of what i did on my trike and pete did on his ,,simples,, eek,,

May be able to modify one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111205379048?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_928wt_1170

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161141696261?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_768wt_932

Hopefully Steve's reading this, (he's having trouble posting at the moment), so thanks for the ideas chaps.

Looks similar to old Wooler and GT Ford linkages . Basically it reverses the normal action where it attches to the box and then re-reverses it to put back to 'normal'. Isn't it a question of one rod being pushed from below pivot point and then the other having the pivot point in the middle ?

Andy remember this.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/spares_photos/DSC_1590.jpg) (http://s290.photobucket.com/user/spares_photos/media/DSC_1590.jpg.html)

like the remote that they fitted to the corsair gt inplace of the early long stick ????

The following was posted on the Reliant World forum by member Red Rebel
I do not know if you can see the images if you click on the link below if you view as a guest ?

http://www.reliantworld.co.uk/index.php?threads/red-rebel-a-update.393/

The following is the extract , minus the images ;

Another modification I've been working on is a fully synchro' Gearbox -
The early semi-synchro rebel Gearbox is derived from the Regal but has a much longer mainshaft and a tailshaft extension with remote gearchange mounted on top -
This remote is a precise feeling short throw setup which gained much praise in period reviews (virtually always considered best in its class).
Later 750cc Rebels have a fully synchro gearbox but lost the remote change, as well as having synchromesh on first/second this box also benefits from a higher ratio gearset and better parts availability (close ratio gear-sets are also available for this box!).
I decided to build a gearbox based on the 750 box but having the benefits of the early boxes Remote Change, this is complicated somewhat as reverse is a longer throw on the later box as well as being in a different position.

Having decided to create the ultimate Rebel gearbox it stood to reason the antiquated carbon clutch release bearing setup should be engineered out -
Later three wheelers use a Ford Fiesta/escort roller bearing clutch - although this was only made as a cable operated setup.
I've decided on a hydraulically operated system as this will be smoother and more robust, this has required welding bushes into the bell-housing to take a vertical cross-shaft to mount the Ford bearing on.
All Rebels (and most 3 wheelers) are fitted with inertia starters -
When starting from hot it inevitably takes two or three attempts before the engine fully catches as the inertia starter gets kicked out as soon as the engine try's to fire.

Very late three wheelers have a pre-engaged starter and therefore a different bell-housing, unfortunately these gearboxes are not compatible with a Rebel tailshaft extension so I've taken a section from one of these later bell-housing and welded it into my inertia gearbox.

The end result will be a Franken'Gearbox which will have synchromesh on all gears. Short throw remote gearchange, Pre-engaged starter and Hydrualicly operated Ford Roller Bearing Clutch,
This is built using entirely New old Stock components with the exception of the Mainshaft and the case.

Overview of modified gearbox with remote change unfitted: [​IMG]


Section removed from original bell-housing: [​IMG]


Showing section from late pre-engaged box welded in and (unfinished) clutch operating shaft and arm fitted:
[​IMG]


Arrangement of Ford release bearing - Note newly drilled inspection hole filled with rubber plug for checking bearing once fitted to car: [​IMG]


I've modified the flywheel from the standard 3 bolt fixing:.... [​IMG]


And drilled and threaded the crankshaft to suit:.... [​IMG]

I have the same gearshift pattern ie. first left and back band have no problem with it.
Might be worth having a look at what the Austin seven guys have done.
Bottom of the page.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/speedex/index_files/Page1138.htm

Just had a thought. Might be possible to use an Austin A35/A40, MG Midget/Sprite remote with some modification and an adaptor plate.

Yup, that's the style Mike.

To help get my head round this where is first normally?

Left and forward.
Seeing as length of box is not that important (unlike a trike)  is it possible to use a complete A series rwd gearbox/bellhousing

Is it only first position that is reversed or the entire shift pattern ?

I should imagine that like mine 1st and 2nd are swapped 3rd and 4th are swapped. The H pattern is reversed top to bottom
This happens when you have a sliding pivot in the centre of the gear link rod and the rod is attached below the gear lever ball joint.
If you attach the rod above the ball joint the H pattern reverses side to side - 1st and 3rd swap, 2nd and 4th swap.

And what position is revers gear.

    AH HA , they said it couldn't be done , but posting privileges reinstated . Actually most said it could be done if it wasn't for the moron at the controls and there may be some merit in that .

    Right , thanks for the responses , I did have a look at the deep sided clevis type arrangement and that would probably have worked but I need the best part of three foot of extension (  :-X ) and it all gets a bit vauge and wibbly at that length , also I just had it in mind that there was a more elegant solution out there somewhere . I think Kev got the first real hit with the pivot needing to be below the shaft but my simple little mind couldn't quite grasp how I was going to do that , then Dave mentioned Midget / Sprite boxes and a quick search showed up a dealer with exploded diagrams , like a bloody light going on , one small change to one end and everything seems to work as it should , on the bench at least , I'll get it finished and in the car by the weekend hopefully . Assuming it does work I'll take photos and post them somewhere , there's no reason it wouldn't work forward , backward or even sideways , may be of some help to someone .