Hardly used my 1978 Mini Clubman Estate since completing a major restoration but just discoved the gear rod selector rod into the gearbox is leaking badly.
I have replaced the seals and guide and was very careful to ensure the rod was polished and the bore in the gearbox was not damaged during the process. I used an old predrilled guide which i fitted into the bore when drilling a small hole in the installed guide to ensure i did not touch the bore of the gearbox casting. I then used a self tapping screw to pull out the fitted guide.
On the basis i did a tidy job of this i am pondering what else could be the cause and the only thing that comes to mind is a crack in the gearbox casting although i cannot see any crack when i clean up the area.
My qustion is
1) is a crack in the casting around the sealing area something that people have encountered. Is it common?
2) if so can the crack be welded up without stripping the engine out again
