Since I changed from the original gearshifter to the quick shift I have had trouble selecting second gear. I have had it adjusted but every now and then it just won't select second. I have had the engine out and the gearbox looked at and it comes up as functional and working.

After a lot of advice I have decided the quickshift is a bad idea. So I put the original gear shifter back in and now I have to lift it up to select gears, the gearshifter can spin around and the gearshift is incredibly long, such as so long 1st is under the dash and to get second I have to slide it back until the lever hits the seat.

I am guessing its because the linkages have been adjusted to suit the quickshift so now the original one is set incorrectly. Can I adjust the linkages myself (and how?) or is it best left to the experts? I would usually just take it to someone but they can't get me in for a while and I would really like to do the lakeside sprints so want to get it fixed ASAP.

Rod or Remote shift?

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I know nothing about remote change, but if this is a rod change you can quite easily do it yourself. As you have it at the moment, it sounds like it was incorrectly installed. There is a small notch that the stick slides into which stops it from spinning around and lets it drop lower. Then there's the spring, followed by (if memory serves) a washer, and then a plastic dome that fits over the top. The dome is pushed down and twists into place.

You can check it out yourself by taking off the gearstick boot and removing the plastic dome with a push-then-twist action. It's all very simple when you look at it.

Yes, it is a rod change box. I was sure the metal dome was locked properly onto the bolts on the side of the case but I will check again.

Thanks for the replies.

OK, now I know how the Doc just loves these gearboxes

Check the roll pins in the linkages are in good condition and the sleave that they go in to. Also check the rubber bush on the back of the diff housing is in good nick too. I've seen some shifters that have worn bushes on the shift rods and these do make for a sloppy shift.

It sounds like you may have the plate on the bottom of the shifter in back to front (hence why you need to lift the stick).

Check that the cotton reel mounts are good and that the brackets are not bent, then with it all bolted up, undo the 1/2" UNF Nut on top of the shifter body that is on the steady and then do it up again, holding the shifter body so that it doesn't cock over to one side.

It would also be a good idea to check one (or both) of your engine mounts and / or steadys aren't broken.

These are a good shifter mechanism, but like anything else, if it has worn or mis-aligned parts it will give trouble. I have the Mini Spares short shifter in a couple of my own Minis and I think they are great, however if the mech is worn or mis-aligned I think they'd be rather horrible.

<EDIT> I'm pretty sure that 'converting back' from the short shifter would also give trouble as the holes for the locataing pins (for the shifter and the cap) will no longer hold the pins in place.

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Ah ha ha, you lost me at roll pins. I had another look at the manual and have decided that this is a job best left to the experts. I replaced all the rubber mounts and the engine steadies -that was a job I felt confident in.

Thanks all for the help,but I'm going to chicken out, I'd rather not destroy things even if it means missing the lakeside sprints yet again.

Ah one day I will get there....