I'm envious of your Dad - 93 and seems still getting about getting his hands dirty and having a good time - good for him, that's awesome!
Seems the Bearing guys could take a leaf out of the Steel suppliers book too, seems a reasonable good price to me.
Q1. Gotya now on the 'rocking bell'. Can't say that I've had an issue from these rocking, there's a nylon guide / slide and spring under it and so because of the pressure from the spring, I think that takes up most play in it. I've had a few where the bell has flared out but I just re-shape them. A Hose clamp can help, maybe putting some screws in there might also, just watch the ball doesn't tear around them, but should be OK I would think.
Q2. The boot was standard on all Minis and Mokes sold here, I think (not sure) they were also fitted in the UK, though I'm sure now they are NLA. I have a few NOS ones. You can use one of these OK
http://minispares.co...|Back to search
I would recommend fitting a boot of some sort.
Q3, Both are important, however, the length is an easy one to get right or very close, the angular one is not if done free hand. Also, you want to get dead square through the centre of the rod, or the holes won't line up for the eye of the coupler and you'll either not get the pin in or break the eye trying to do so. Hole size by the way is 7/32"
Q4. I've used quite a number of the Mini Spares Short Shifter (Throw) kits and I have to say, I really do like them. I have them in most of my Minis and in the Moke, they really are necessary, as the Moke has quite a long stick (about 75% longer than a Mini one), so the throw of the original sticks is huge and when in top gear leaves no leg stretching space, usually, the gear knob ends up against your knee. I find in the Mini, it gives a much more modern feel and is a pleasure to change gears instead of being a work out in the gym.
I do make a few mods to how I fit them though. The extension Bell is not a great fit and flops about, I fit 1 or sometimes 2 O rings (about 50 mm dia) between the extension bell and the shifter body. I also drill and tap an extra screw in to the back of it, to also stop it rocking and wearing all the alloy bit prematurely. For the Moke, I re-set the shape of the stick and fit an extension to them.
I don't think these an expensive shifter kit, those from KAD I think are quite a bit dearer, but also a higher quality (not that I find the MS one poor quality, just a little 'unfinished').
I've heard some people say they ruin gearboxes or you can beat the synchros with them. Can't say I've had either problem, though I don't slam through the gears with them on every shift either. I have used them to shift fast (often in the Mini and on Sand Dunes where quick shifting is needed - crucial - in the Moke) and had none of these issues.
Perhaps the gearboxes they were fitted to were worn prior to fitting and the stock shifter was masking this underlying issue?
Edited by Moke Spider, 02 June 2016 - 09:45 AM.