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So, Ive never been happy with the gear change on the rallycar. Currently 16v setup but even with new bushes, metal top linkage and other tweaks, Ive just never been happy with it. Thought about converting to an internally mounted 8v linkage and have the parts but need new bulkhead hole and will need to move my plumbed in fire extinguisher too. So, did more research on cable change mechanisms.
The F20 uses the same turret as the F13/F15/F17/F16 and F18 but the majority of the cable change cars use the F23 / F32 or F40 gearboxes. However, the Vectra C 1.8 uses an F17 box (albeit hydraulic clutch) with a 5 speed cable change mechanism. Over the past few weeks, Ive managed to locate the gearstick unit, the cables and brackets and today I picked up the correct F17 box with the cable change turret.
Some photos:
The Vectra C 1.8 gear lever mechanism with cables attached:
The cable change F17 box with cables and bracket fitted.
Linked all together to test it all worked properly on the F17 box.
So, after seeing the bracket and how it fitted on the F17 box I realised that the bolt threads arent part of an F20 casting. However, they are part of an F16 casting - perhaps all my F20 are early and the F16s I have are later models? So I dug out an F16 box to mount it on for testing. I may have to build my F20 cluster into the F16 casing if I go this route.
Removed the "rod" turret from the F16.
Removed the "cable" turret from the F17
View of the turrets side by side. Theres a proper "gate" inside the cable turret to locate the gears better.
Fitteed the cable turret to the F16 box - nice and straightforward and selects all the gears fine like this.
The threaded holes on the F16 box are short but are bigger with an odd thread so had to drill out the 2 holes on the cable bracket.
Found these bolts in the spares box. Im sure theyre off an Astra somewhere but not sure where! Bit of lube (ooo err missus) and cleaning up on the gearbox and they threaded in lovely.
Linkage and turret fitted - the 3rd hole on the bracket is for one of the gearbox > block mounting holes but doesnt quite line up. Not an issue for testing purposes but will need to be modified a little to make it work "live".
Tried everything and whilst 1st - 4th were fine, the cable wasnt quite right going across the gate for reverse and 5th. The cable has a plastic "threaded" bit on the end that clamps on the gear lever end. I shortened this plastic bit, which allowed me to get the correct amount of cable movement and it works really well in testing.
Last final shot of the F16 again
Does anyone know if the F20 casing ever came with the threaded holes forward of the usual turret? My F16 with the holes is part number 90334346 whilst the F20 without holes in the casting (on all 3 casings I have) is 90334347 or 90250773.
To test it properly, I have to rebuild my gearbox into the F16 casing (unless I can find an F20 with those bracket holes) so might have to wait a little while. The cable lengths are maybe 2" too short as well going through the std 16v holes (surprisingly as I thought they would be too long coming from a Vectra!)
Paul..
The F20 uses the same turret as the F13/F15/F17/F16 and F18 but the majority of the cable change cars use the F23 / F32 or F40 gearboxes. However, the Vectra C 1.8 uses an F17 box (albeit hydraulic clutch) with a 5 speed cable change mechanism. Over the past few weeks, Ive managed to locate the gearstick unit, the cables and brackets and today I picked up the correct F17 box with the cable change turret.
Some photos:
The Vectra C 1.8 gear lever mechanism with cables attached:
The cable change F17 box with cables and bracket fitted.
Linked all together to test it all worked properly on the F17 box.
So, after seeing the bracket and how it fitted on the F17 box I realised that the bolt threads arent part of an F20 casting. However, they are part of an F16 casting - perhaps all my F20 are early and the F16s I have are later models? So I dug out an F16 box to mount it on for testing. I may have to build my F20 cluster into the F16 casing if I go this route.
Removed the "rod" turret from the F16.
Removed the "cable" turret from the F17
View of the turrets side by side. Theres a proper "gate" inside the cable turret to locate the gears better.
Fitteed the cable turret to the F16 box - nice and straightforward and selects all the gears fine like this.
The threaded holes on the F16 box are short but are bigger with an odd thread so had to drill out the 2 holes on the cable bracket.
Found these bolts in the spares box. Im sure theyre off an Astra somewhere but not sure where! Bit of lube (ooo err missus) and cleaning up on the gearbox and they threaded in lovely.
Linkage and turret fitted - the 3rd hole on the bracket is for one of the gearbox > block mounting holes but doesnt quite line up. Not an issue for testing purposes but will need to be modified a little to make it work "live".
Tried everything and whilst 1st - 4th were fine, the cable wasnt quite right going across the gate for reverse and 5th. The cable has a plastic "threaded" bit on the end that clamps on the gear lever end. I shortened this plastic bit, which allowed me to get the correct amount of cable movement and it works really well in testing.
Last final shot of the F16 again
Does anyone know if the F20 casing ever came with the threaded holes forward of the usual turret? My F16 with the holes is part number 90334346 whilst the F20 without holes in the casting (on all 3 casings I have) is 90334347 or 90250773.
To test it properly, I have to rebuild my gearbox into the F16 casing (unless I can find an F20 with those bracket holes) so might have to wait a little while. The cable lengths are maybe 2" too short as well going through the std 16v holes (surprisingly as I thought they would be too long coming from a Vectra!)
Paul..
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